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This book is a collection of Rev. Dr. Eshetu Abate's essays originally published in different books and journals. The significance of the essays for churches in Ethiopia and beyond can be described in two ways. First, they were written during the last period of the Socialist government of Ethiopia and the first decade of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (between 1990 and 2002). This time signifies the years in which Ethiopia was going through social, economic, political, and religious changes. Eshetu, as a prominent theologian and pastor, reflects on issues that the Ethiopian communities faced during those periods. Second, Eshetu is one among few Ethiopian theologians who have initiated the conversation about Christian theology from an African perspective. He understood his own context, which included the crucial, existential issues that African Christians were facing, to be the legitimate context out of which Christian theology should emerge. He did so without compromising the centered-ness and uniqueness of Christ. Eshetu was a theological thinker, pastor, and a leader of considerable reputation. Through his lectures and writings, he has contributed to the development of theology in an African con-text. In his leadership and life testimony; he was able to influence his students, who later became leaders in different churches and organizations throughout the world. Eshetu died of cancer on December 28, 2011, in California.

The career of Luther D. Reed (1873-1972) was marked by roles as pastor, professor, and seminary president. In the midst of the frontier tradition, he, with the assistance of many others, helped Lutherans in America recover their liturgical inheritance. He was a founder of the Lutheran Liturgical Association in 1898 and is best known for his monumental The Lutheran Liturgy: A Study of the Common Service of the Lutheran Church in America (1947).

Clergy leading faith-based institutions will find in this book practical tools to help them become effective stewards of people and resources in their organizations while being rooted in the Spirit An experienced and ecumenical group of clergy, policy leaders, and academics offer specific tools on important topics such as discovering the leader within, leading through changes, multicultural mission and management, spiritual entrepreneurship, creating a shared vision and strategy, and various topics on the stewardship of organizations.

Dr. Bouman's theology, revealed through his lectures, focusing on the Church

Dr. Bouman's theology, revealed through his lectures, focusing on God.

Paul Manz enjoyed a long career, serving as organist, composer, teacher, and recitalist. Known for his improvisations, Manz cultivated and vigorously promoted the idea of the hymn festival a program of singing, readings, and organ music, often assisted by choirs and instrumentalists. Hymn festivals continue to be popular throughout the United States largely due to his vision and energetic leadership. He was twice named one of the Ten Most Influential Lutherans and received many honorary doctorates and awards.

Elisabeth Fedde, a deaconess from Norway, answered a call in 1883 to come and help sick and indigent Norwegians in Brooklyn. The group that called her expected that she would walk the streets of Brooklyn and minister to those she found in need. They did not know they had called a pioneer with unusual abilities. Before two years were out, she had begun a hospital and motherhouse to train deaconesses. Three years later she established a Deaconess Hospital and Motherhouse in Minneapolis. Her foresight, good humor and sheer grit made it possible for her to found what are now huge medical complexes in Brooklyn, Minneapolis, Chicago. Her story includes the history of the Lutheran Deaconess movement as it began in Germany, Norway and here, along with the struggles of American Lutherans as women began to take more public roles in society. This book tells what she suffered and how she struggled to make her dreams bear fruit.

In his long academic career at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, Dr. Gerhard O. Forde was known for his life-changing teaching and preaching, proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ crucified and risen for you. Forde taught that theology is for proclamation. His classes were his form of evangelism. Avoiding secondary discourse, or philosophical mode, in classroom teaching and preaching, he used first order, primary discourse to speak directly to his hearers, not about God, but for God, declaring the justifying word as clearly as possible. He showed the difference between law and gospel and how to do the text to the hearer. He taught students to be preachers who would speak the unqualified word of grace and forgiveness. This book is an introduction to his teaching and witness. From Dr. Hans Wiersma, Augsburg University: I've said for some time, publicly, that I was born again under the teaching of Gerhard Forde. That may sound dramatic but it's true. From Dr. Rolf Jacobson, Luther Seminary: He refused to write his theology for that guild [of academic theologians]. Instead, he wrote for preachers. He could have written for the guild, of course. His mind was first class, and he wrote beautifully. But, like St. Paul, he came to preach Christ and him crucified. Toward that goal, he was steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord.

Henry L. Lettermann (1932-96) served as professor of English at Concordia Teachers College, River Forest, Illinois, from 1959 to 1988 where his talent for poetry became readily apparent. From 1979 to 1987 he served as a member and secretary of the Hymn Text and Music Committee which produced Lutheran Worship in 1982. His original texts, translations, and observations about the process of preparing this new hymnal provide fascinating insights.

In the traditional theology of sacrificial atonement scholars have represented Jesus' death on the cross as the ultimate redemptive sacrifice for the world. Repeated critiques of this traditional understanding have given rise to rise alternative understandings of Jesus' death on the cross. This book provides an analysis of the traditional theology of atonement and a commentary on the criticisms that have surfaced, and provides an evaluation of the Colin E. Gunton contribution to the discourse.

August Crull (1845-1923) edited and compiled the first edition of the Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-Book (1889), thus playing a critical role in shaping the hymnic tradition of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod as it transitioned from German to English. This study tells the story of Crull's pioneering labor in the formation of this seminal hymnal and documents the twenty-year journey to its final edition in 1912, which became the first, official English-language hymnal of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod.

The church music of Johan Sebastian Bach is identified with the Revised Common Lectionary texts, an invaluable reference for church musicians.

Paul Tillich exercised a major influence on twentieth century Christian thought. In this brief introduction to his work, Dr. Daniel Peterson makes the case for Tillich's broader relevance again as a theologian who can take us beyond the extremes of fundamentalist religion and empty skepticism to a deeper religious faith or spiritual path open to doubt and questioning.

Models of Atonement breaks new ground in the science-theology dialogue, going beyond questions about the doctrine of creation to speak about God's work of new creation through Christ in a world described by science. The book builds on the author's earlier work that addressed questions about origins, divine action and scientific knowledge in the context of a theology of the cross. It discusses the concepts of original sin and the work of Christ which reconciles all things to God in ways that take seriously today's evolutionary and cosmic realities. By doing this it provides a useful resource for those called to proclaim and teach the Christian message in today's world.

Torbjorg (Thea) Nilsdatter Ronning (1865-1898), was born on a farm outside the town of Bo in Telemark, Norway. Thea and her two brothers, Nils Nilson and Halvor Nilson, immigrated to America in the 1880s. All three distinguished themselves in God's service. Nils and Halvor were well known in their new land. But not their sister. Thea Ronning had a burning desire to minister to Chinese women whose lives by all accounts were filled with oppression and cruelty. This is a story of how she learned of the needs in China, the establishment of the mission society that sent her, and the Ladies Aids from whom she had to garner interest and support. The women in the Midwestern Norwegian-American churches supported her and the entire mission with their gatherings, their dinners, bazaars, surprise parties, and fishponds, at a time when a few nickels could make the difference between life and death in China. Their work to bring the gospel to women in China through women like Thea shows that the lady missionary's vocation was a worthy profession, one she and her other women colleagues, married and unmarried, filled with passion and unrelenting zeal to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ and salvation to the Chinese women.

This book is designed as a guide for readers who want to become more confident and effective in communicating the meaning of God's Word clearly to listeners. Reading scripture aloud involves a great many considerations by the reader: knowledge and understanding, faith, respect, spirit and heart, vocal skill, and physical control. Though reading individual words on the printed page might seem an easy task, communicating the profound meaning of the words clearly can be an exciting challenge. Lay readers and lectors are here given a simple process to follow when preparing their readings so they feel comfortable reading with variety, expressiveness, and, most of all, with clear understanding.

Choirs are an important component of leadership for congregational worship. In some communities, persons are recruited to be choir directors, but they have not been prepared for the job. This modest handbook is designed to help new or untrained choir directors improve both themselves and their choir and also increase the personal satisfaction of teaching and performing choral music. The book addresses key areas of competence ranging from auditions to rehearsals to vocal training, enunciation, warm-ups, conducting, score preparation, motivation and management, and performance and recordings and much more.

The captivating biography of Alma Christina Lind Swensson will inspire every reader. Her work at Bethany College and Bethany Lutheran Church in Lindsborg, Kansas, demonstrated that women in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries provided leadership in the church, both locally and nationally. Born in Broddarp, Sweden, Alma Christina Lind journeyed to America with her father, mother, and brother, where they settled in Illinois. Though Alma, as the oldest daughter, should have been expected to help her mother with chores around the house, Alma was instead allowed to nurture her budding musical talents, which led to her position as organist at the 900-member Swedish Lutheran Church when she was just twelve years old. Marrying Carl Aaron Swensson in 1880 took her to Lindsborg Kansas, where Carl and Alma would leave their lasting marks. Carl had been called to be pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church and upon arrival in Lindsborg Alma was appointed church organist. They were instrumental in establishing Bethany College in the small prairie town. Carl became the president of the college as well as pastor of the large congregation, and Alma would establish the well-known, annual Messiah Festival and in their home, co-founded a national women s organization. This account of Alma Christina Lind Swensson portrays a woman who was strong and sure of herself and her mission. She brought a community together through her musical talents and gracious hospitality, and showed the world how a little town had the ability to put itself on the map.

Bugenhagen's Jonah makes several significant contributions to Reformation studies. It is the first book published in English about Bugenhagen in over 80 years. It integrates diverse fields of study (including biblical interpretation, ecclesiology, worship, social reform and church history), draws upon the latest international scholarship, and translates original sources. Finally, the emphasis on Bugenhagen as a public theologian highlights the relationship between faith and daily life for every age

A bridge-builder. An ambassador of reconciliation. A prophetic voice, speaking truth to power. An advocate for justice, peace, and non-violence. A witness to the liberating Gospel of Jesus Christ. A servant for the suffering. Those words describe the Rt. Rev. Munib A. Younan, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and president of The Lutheran World Federation. In the world in which he lives where Palestinians struggle for life and coexistence with their neighbor Israelis one might imagine that despair and hopelessness dominate. However, in reading Bishop Younan s writings readers will find unending hope for a future of peace and goodwill, along with an optimistic determination to be part of the solution for this troubled Holy Land. This collection of writings, speeches, and sermons reveals Bishop Younan s context, his perspective, and his hope. Readers will find his theology to be contextual deeply rooted in his daily reality as a Palestinian Christian while at the same time being universal, offering insights and principles that apply to other situations in vastly different parts of the world.

The author's five decades of personal experience leads him to conclude that it is possible to be a witness to the Gospel and be a friend to Muslims at the same time. The author outlines key factors in the Muslim understanding of the Gospel, examines some bridges, and defines the art of sharing. He concludes by assessing the possibilities of such a mission.

This is an important study of spirituality in a world of confused and conflicting definitions of the spiritual. Christian spirituality flows from an understanding of who God is and how God acts in creation. It is a personal and communal recognition of God in one's life and a life awareness and celebration of that presence of God. Anyone who wonders how the Christian faith shapes life will find a great value in this book.

The work required to produce a denominational service book and hymnal is multifaceted both because of the nature of its contents and because worship is the focal point of the life of the church. To produce the Lutheran Book of Worship the participating churches established the Inter-Lutheran Commission on Worship, which in turn established subcommittees, working committees and task forces. The author has produced an historical account and analysis of that process has mastered endless details, all the while keeping the larger picture in view. This book is a mother lode of information on the development of Lutheran Book of Worship.

The essays in this book describe, from several perspectives, the role of the bishop in leading the church. The writers, from their global perspective, bear witness to the fact that the role of the bishop is an ever-changing one as bishops work in the world as it is. Rather than focusing on what will be an anachronistic concept of leadership, the writers hold up the evangelical principle that leadership in the church must be subject to the gospel.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer s life spanned four decades of the early twentieth century and was shaped within the crucible of two European wars and an economic depression. Born in 1906 and raised in an upper middle class German family, he was educated to be a pastor, further trained as a theologian, involved in a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler, and was finally hanged by the Nazis only days before the end of World War II. His life story is more than one more tragic episode in the history and horrors of the Holocaust. Bonhoeffer s life cannot be simply summarized as only one of trauma and tragedy. His was also a life filled with great blessing, even when requiring great courage and incredible sacrifice. His relationships were life-giving and his experiences were rich. The authenticity of Bonhoeffer s Christian faith and the integrity of his theology continues to inspire people. During that time when most people understandably struggled to protect their own lives, as well as the lives of those they loved, he often ventured by faith into uncertain territory, risking his reputation and life to advocate for others. Rarely does one encounter an individual whose inner convictions and outward actions so consistently and courageously match-up

Our churches affirm that death cannot destroy the communion with God of those redeemed and justified. The nature of the life that the justified departed share with God cannot be described in great detail and, in this life, it remains a great mystery. Nevertheless, Catholics and Lutherans share the sure and certain hope that the justified departed are in Christ and enjoy the rest that belongs to those who have run the race. This common statement of Round XI offers fresh insights into some issues that proved contentious in the debates of the sixteenth century. Among the issues explored in this dialogue were continuity in the communion of saints, prayers for or about the dead, the meaning of death, purgation, an interim state between death and the final general judgment, and the promise of resurrection. Agreements are affirmed on the basis of new insights, as readers will discover in this statement of Round XI.

Pluralism as such is not the enemy of the gospel. Preaching the Christian message will always encounter a world with many religions, world-views, ideologies, and lifestyles. The earliest generation of Christians found themselves in a pluralistic situation. They were witnessing to Jews as well as to Greeks and Romans in the great melting pot of Hellenistic culture. Religious pluralism does pose a threat when it becomes an ideological dogma that asserts that all religions are equally valid and lead to the same goal.

The 2010 Hein-Fry lecture topic was Hearing the Word: Teaching the Bible in the Parish (and Beyond). This theme was chosen in order to engage the crucial conversation concerning various approaches to Scripture and what resources and challenges those approaches bring to diverse North American contexts. The hope for these lectures is that they raise awareness about the various ways the church has traditionally interpreted the Bible as well as explore a mixture of contemporary approaches to scriptural interpretation. Five scholars affiliated with the ELCA were invited to offer lectures out of their particular perspectives and scholarship. Each lecturer traveled to three sites where each delivered major presentations exploring important and innovative Lutheran perspectives on biblical interpretation, making a case for the promise of one, some, or even all of them.

The 2009 Hein-Fry lecture topic was Hearing the Word: Lutheran Perspectives on Biblical Interpretation. This theme was chosen in order to engage the crucial conversation concerning various approaches to Scripture and what resources and challenges those approaches bring to diverse North American contexts. The hope for these lectures is that they raise awareness about the various ways the church has traditionally interpreted the Bible as well as explore a mixture of contemporary approaches to scriptural interpretation. Five scholars affiliated with the ELCA were invited to offer lectures out of their particular perspectives and scholarship. Each lecturer traveled to three sites where each delivered major presentations exploring important and innovative Lutheran perspectives on biblical interpretation, making a case for the promise of one, some, or even all of them.

Dr. Gerhard Forde (1927-2005) has exercised a significant influence on the life of the Lutheran church in America and beyond over the past several decades. During a teaching career of thirty-four years, twenty-nine of them at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, it is estimated that he taught theology to over three thousand pastors. But Forde s substantial theological work brought him to the attention of the church far beyond the circle of his students. His literary production includes over one hundred books, articles, reviews, and cassettes. Forde s emphasis was what has come to be called radical Lutheranism. He argued that the God of the scriptures is an electing God, Godself doing through Christ and the proclamation of Christ all that is necessary to claim his own. Less frequently is Forde connected to the missional task of the church. It is possible to read Gerhard Forde s work without being conscious of mission, and thus conclude that it is an area that does not particularly concern him. The author, through careful research, identifies the insights in Forde s work that are helpful to the missional enterprise and allows them to make their contribution to the wider missiological conversation.