Fortress Press

Grace and Gigabytes: Being Church in a Tech-Shaped Culture

Ryan M. Panzer (Author)

Grace and Gigabytes explores the intersection of technology, culture, and church. Examining digital technology not as a set of tools, but as a force for cultural transformation, Ryan M. Panzer explores the networked values of the digital age--questions, connection, collaboration, and creativity; demonstrates the need for the church to change if it is to realize its mission; and makes recommendations for the practice of ministry today.

Speak It Plain: Words for Worship and Life Together

Meta Herrick Carlson (Author)

Speak It Plain: Words for Worship and Life Together includes prayers for many occasions, seasonal blessings, and a variety of litanies and liturgies for use in various worship settings and special services. This collection is intended to be a companion to other resources already being used for planning worship and living together in Christian community. Selections intended for group use with group responses will be available for download for all purchasers of the book.

Finding Our Way to the Truth: Seven Lies Leaders Believe and How to Let Go of Them

Sarah Ciavarri (Author), N. Graham Standish (Foreword by)

In Finding Our Way to the Truth, Sarah Ciavarri explores lies that masquerade as truths. They aren't obvious. They can be benign. Through personal stories, Ciavarri helps leaders recognize seven common lies, such as "People must like me" and "I'm responsible for it all." She then outlines a three-step process for unmasking each lie--pay attention, examine, and apply the learning. When we let go of the lies, well-being and hope take their place.

A Spirituality for Doing Justice: Reflections for Congregation-Based Organizers

Dennis A. Jacobsen (Author)

Dennis Jacobsen brings his many years of experience doing congregation-based organizing for justice into conversation with unique spiritual reflections. Jacobsen turns to his work creating and meditating on icons to connect biblical themes and Christian personalities to guide those who are preparing for congregation-organizing and faith-based social action. His unique perspectives help anyone engaged in such work go deeper in prayer and devotion before diving into the messy work of organizing.

Preaching Jeremiah: Announcing God's Restorative Passion

Walter Brueggemann (Author), Carolyn J Sharp (Foreword by)

In this book, Walter Brueggemann conducts in an experiment in homiletics. He wants us to wrestle with the question: What if we allow the canonical shape of the book of Jeremiah to instruct us concerning the shape and trajectory of the sermon? The preaching task requires honesty about what God requires and a clear proclamation of what God has done and will yet do.

Clear, Calm, and Connected: Reflections on Church Leadership

Paul E. Walters (Author), Robert F. Holley (Author)

Clear, Calm, and Connected offers wisdom on leadership drawn from common ministry scenarios, family systems thinking, and Scripture. Paul E. Walters and Robert F. Holley provide insights and tools to help ministry leaders serve congregations more effectively and conduct their personal life with more grace. The book is an excellent leadership training tool for boards, committees, or teams and for leaders working to discern mission, define roles, and respond to conflict.

Black Suffering: Silent Pain, Hidden Hope

James H. Harris (Author)

Black Suffering articulates suffering as an everyday reality of Black life and names suffering's many manifestations, both in history and in the present moment. Harris shows the practical impact of suffering upon church leaders as they seek to forge a path forward to address this troubling issue. Black Suffering is a call to consciousness, a work that begins a larger conversation for correcting the historical weight of suffering carried by Black people.

The Underground Church: Reclaiming the Subversive Way of Jesus

Robin Meyers (Author)

The Underground Church proposes a faithful recapturing of the spirit of the early church with emphasis on what Christians do rather than what they believe. Prominent progressive writer, speaker, and minister Robin Meyers proposes that the best way to recapture the spirit of the early Christian church is to recognize that Jesus-following was subversive in the best sense of the word, because the gospel taken seriously turns the world upside down.

They Are Us, Second Edition: Lutherans and Immigration

Stephen P. Bouman (Author), Ralston Deffenbaugh (Author), Martin E. Marty (Foreword by)

By virtue of Lutheranism's identity in America as an immigrant church, Lutherans are specially placed to help lead conversations about immigration in the United States today. They Are Us explores the biblical, historical, theological, and cultural foundations for Lutheran participation in an issue with important implications for this nation. Based on professional experience and grounded in Christian faith, the authors make the case for immigration reform and call the church to a mission of evangelical hospitality.

Resurrecting Church: Where Justice and Diversity Meet Radical Welcome and Healing Hope

John Cleghorn (Author), Rodney S. Sadler Jr. (Foreword by)

Resurrecting Church interweaves three stories, beginning with the remarkable turnaround story of Caldwell Presbyterian Church, which was on the edge of extinction when author John Cleghorn became its pastor. Cleghorn also tells the story of his own growth and liberation from the myopia of privilege. Also included are stories of several diverse congregations that have taken risks, deepening empathy and seeking justice. The book updates the conversation about church vitality in timely and surprising ways.

The Gospel People Don't Want to Hear: Preaching Challenging Messages

Lisa Cressman (Author)

Lisa Cressman, founder of Backstory Preaching, provides tools to craft difficult sermon messages that can be heard. Part 1 focuses on the preacher's preparation, the building of mutual trust with listeners, and the authority needed to proclaim the gospel with empathy, compassion, and skill. Part 2 focuses on the sermon itself with practical suggestions on what to say and how to say it.

The Missional Leader: Equipping Your Church to Reach a Changing World

Alan J. Roxburgh (Author), Fred Romanuk (Author), Eddie Gibbs (Foreword by)

In The Missional Leader, consultants Alan J. Roxburgh and Fred Romanuk give church and denominational leaders a clear model for leading the change necessary to foster a missional church focused outward to spread the message of the gospel into the surrounding community. The Missional Leader emphasizes principles rather than institutional forms, shows readers how to move from "church as usual," and demonstrates what capacities, environments, and mindsets are required to lead a missional church.

Today Everything Is Different: An Adventure in Prayer and Action

Dirk G. Lange (Author)

In Today Everything Is Different Dirk Lange does not fail to deliver the "unexpected" in helping readers gain both a greater understanding of Christian spirituality and a path to it. On this adventure, the reader will explore the foundational underpinnings of baptism, the impact of prayer in many forms--especially in community--and the insights of giants like Luther and Bonhoeffer. The great beauty of the book, however, is found in the incredibly moving stories Lange shares.

The Post-Black and Post-White Church: Becoming the Beloved Community in a Multi-Ethnic World

Efrem Smith (Author), Curtiss Paul DeYoung (Foreword by)

The Post-Black and Post-White Church offers a practical, hands-on blueprint for developing and sustaining a multi-ethnic and Christ-centered community. Written by Efrem Smith, an innovative and passionate African American leader of the Covenant Evangelical Church, this groundbreaking book shares his skills, experience, and wisdom for congregations who want to grow into a multi-ethnic, missional identity.

The Externally Focused Quest: Becoming the Best Church for the Community

Eric Swanson (Author), Rick Rusaw (Author), Alan Hirsch (Foreword by)

The Externally Focused Quest is for church leaders who want to transform their churches to become less internally focused and more oriented to the world around them. Using a highly practical approach, it outlines the ten changes needed to transform churches, changing the core of who they are and how they see themselves as a part of their community.

Leading from the Second Chair: Serving Your Church, Fulfilling Your Role, and Realizing Your Dreams

Mike Bonem (Author), Roger Patterson (Author)

Leading from the Second Chair offers an invaluable resource to leaders who serve in second- (and third- and fourth-) chair roles, enabling them to become more productive, proactive, and fulfilled.

Mike Bonem and Roger Patterson share their own and others' experiences of failure and success in this vital role. They offer support and practical advice for reshaping the way second-chair leaders can serve well and improve the overall performance of their church or organization.

The Elephant in the Boardroom: Speaking the Unspoken about Pastoral Transitions

Carolyn Weese (Author), J. Russell Crabtree (Author)

Carolyn Weese and J. Russell Crabtree--experts in the field of church leadership--have written a nuts-and-bolts guide to developing a succession plan for smooth pastoral transitions. Filled with strategies and solid advice, this handy resource is based in solid research and the authors' many years of experience working with churches in a wide variety of denominations. Weese and Crabtree clearly show that leadership succession should be part of every church's planning process.

Incline Your Ear: Cultivating Spiritual Awakening in Congregations

Chad R. Abbott (Author), Teresa Blythe (Author), Brent Bill (Foreword by)

Incline Your Ear: Cultivating Spiritual Awakening in Congregations introduces faith communities and individuals to the centuries-old practice of spiritual direction. Authors Chad R. Abbot and Teresa Blythe explore ways to become more aware of the presence of the Holy, deepen our relationship with God, discern where God is leading, share our spiritual gifts, and evaluate these fruits of the Spirit. Readers will find new ways to be in love with God and listen to the Spirit.

The Politics of Faith: The Bible, Government, and Public Policy

Jerry L. Sumney (Author)

The Politics of Faith speaks to Christians and others who seek to discuss the role of the Bible in their decisions about civic politics. This book will help readers talk about how a deeper understanding of Scripture can affect how one votes and the kinds of policies one supports. Each chapter ends with a set of questions for discussion that both review what is in the chapter and provoke discussion about faithful action.

In Times of Crisis and Sorrow: A Minister's Manual Resource Guide

Carol Norén (Author), James Cox (Foreword by)

In Times of Crisis and Sorrow: A Minister's Manual Resource Guide is a much-needed desk reference that takes an ecumenical approach and includes a wealth of examples and valuable material such as Scripture readings, poetry, prayers, eulogies, sermons, and testimonials.