On June 3, Peter C. Reske’s new collection, The Hymns of Martin Luther, was released by Concordia Publishing House. In an effort to learn more about this complete collection and what makes it special, we sat down with Peter and asked him some questions.

What inspired you to write this collection?

It was really just a need. There are German collections of Luther’s hymns and intense academic collections. But these hymns were not all together in one place, in English, in a straightforward, singable version (like in the hymnal).

So we know there are hymns, but what else can I find in my copy of The Hymns of Martin Luther?

Not just hymns! There are also chants and ballads, like “My Bride, the Church, Is Dear to Me.” I wouldn’t recommend singing this one with a congregation, but it has a lovely melody, perfect for solo singer. And lute, if you have one.

You’ll also find a brief description of each hymn. These were adapted from Henry Gerike’s booklet that came with our Martin Luther CD set. You could go through the book, reading just these paragraphs, and get a little insight into Luther as hymn-writer. But I hope you sing the hymns too.

What’s your impression of Luther as a hymn-writer? Is there anything about his hymns that are distinct musically?

Luther’s hymn texts are probably not the best examples of refined poetry. His language is common (but not vulgar). And he paints such vivid and memorable pictures! The melodies are quite varied: from flowing chant to muscular, rugged congregational hymns. This was the musical Renaissance, after all.

Can you describe the process of taking sixteenth-century melodies and developing this conventional harmonization?

It’s a tricky thing to take a tune from 500 years ago and give it a musical setting that makes sense to twenty-first-century ears but is still respectful of the sixteenth-century nuance. There was no way I was taking this on myself, so I asked Henry Gerike to tackle it. Many of the settings in the book come from familiar hymnals, but Henry did a splendid job with those handful of tunes that didn’t have a good setting.

So, with Luther’s hymns, do we have only the sixteenth-century melodies left?

Back then, the congregations were typically singing in unison. Musical settings of hymns in Luther’s time were for choirs, and there are loads of these still available. Check out the Lutheran Choral Anthology. But the melody in these choral settings was usually in the tenor part. It would be a few years before the melody was in the uppermost part as we’re used to it today.

What’s the most interesting thing you learned during your research?

In 1524, a man was arrested for selling copies of two of these hymns. Makes publishing today seem pretty tame!

Got a favorite hymn?

No. I have countless favorite hymns, and the list is always changing. It would be much easier to list my least-favorite hymns. But I won’t do that.

How about a favorite composer?

Favorite composers include J. S. Bach, Schütz, and Shostakovich. Favorite hymn-writers include Paul Gerhardt, Martin Franzmann, and Stephen Starke.

What song is stuck in your head right now?

It’s the “Danse générale” of Maurice Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé. Listen to it on YouTube. It’s good.

Why should someone buy the collection in five words or less?

My wife likes it.

Reske’s complete collection of Luther’s hymns is available now at cph.org. Check out other new music resources from Concordia Publishing House here.

About Peter C. Reske

Peter Reske, senior editor of music/worship at Concordia Publishing House, holds degrees in English literature and historical musicology from Marquette University and The Pennsylvania State University. He was the editor of Lutheran Service Book and its attendant resources.

The post Q & A with Peter C. Reske appeared first on CPH Blog.

My novel Discovered, in The Messengers series, has been out for a few weeks now, and I have loved hearing feedback from people with all kinds of backgrounds. One theme that I often hear is this: “How do I share this book?” The context might be a book club, a youth group, a classroom, or social media. This question excites my former-teacher self, and I start thinking of ways for me to help you get the word out about The Messengers and the message it contains.

So I’ll be trying to share different ideas that you may want to use or adapt in your own setting, and I’ll be offering them through a series of blog posts.

The first post? Well, I come from an English teacher background, so I’ll start with that: How to teach Discovered in a literature classroom.

Getting started . . . at the end. Did you know that there are questions at the end of the novel? There are two questions per chapter. Taken as a whole, they engage students in different ways over a variety of topics. If you’re teaching middle school and only assigning a chapter or two each night, this can be a great way to assess completion and comprehension. If you’re teaching high school students with longer reading loads, you may want to offer a choice of questions (pick X out of X) as a supplement to study. If you organize this unit as an in-class book club, these choices could then become discussion starters within small groups.

Digging deep . . . points to ponder. Are you looking for in-class discussion questions? lecture ideas? project-based learning themes? essay questions? I’ll list a few ideas to get started—questions I’d likely ask in a classroom—but you can take these and run with them to suit your objectives. These are currently written to avoid spoilers, but you can clarify more if you use these questions at the end of the unit. If you’d like my thoughts on answers, feel free to ask!

• Deus ex machina, “the god-machine,” is a literary technique that is sometimes used to rescue a character in a seemingly impossible situation. What examples of this do you find in the novel? This technique is sometimes criticized when used as an easy way to get out of a plot problem. How might it work here, considering the themes of the book? Was it used effectively in the examples you provided? Explain.

• Every five chapters, a separate narrative is included in the plot. Relate the plot of these narratives to the plot of the book. What connections can be made between the main character of the narratives and Simon, the main character of the book? Look also to ways Simon later engages with this narrative—in a more direct way. What lessons do both Simon and this other narrator learn?

• Study the narrative point of view of this book. How is it like other books? How is the perspective of this book different from many? Specifically talk about the way Simon sees his reality and how the reader learns about reality through him. How does this affect Simon’s (and the reader’s) discovery along the way?

• Dystopian literature is a popular genre. The Giver, Fahrenheit 451, 1984, and The Hunger Games are just a few examples. Research what it means for literature to be dystopian. In your opinion, why is this genre successful? How does this book follow these patterns? How does it deviate? (Teachers, check out this blog post if you want more information along these lines.)

Create interest. There are other ways to engage students than simply asking questions, of course. Here are a few other ideas.

• As a unit opener, create a dramatic anticipatory set. Let your kids walk into a dystopian classroom. You can use chapter 1 of Discovered for ideas to replicate Simon’s class, or you can create an entire world within your learning space. Make everything starkly plain—or give it an air of destruction. Begin your introduction with stern rules about classroom movement and the like. You may not want the mood to last long, but giving students a taste of Simon’s world may help them dig in with more ease.

• Decades ago, dystopian themes were popular on television. The Twilight Zone, for example, has many episodes that can be used at the beginning or in the middle of the unit. “The Obsolete Man” is one that particularly resonates with themes of Discovered. Use these for added discussion.

• To keep the audiovisual idea going a bit longer, also show students the Discovered book trailer either at the beginning of the unit or as an introduction to a project. After showing the trailer and perhaps a few videos as described above, challenge students to make their own book trailer for Discovered, or a book trailer for a dystopian novel they imagine themselves.

• In writing this book, I took one of my old classroom activities to extremes: writing to music. Almost every word was written with instrumental music in the background to help the mood. Have students spend some time with creative writing while you play three or four different pieces—all with very different moods. Let students write a few sketches, allowing the setting (and maybe even plot) to reflect the music played. If students show interest, this could be a larger project later, as student write at home to an entire soundtrack, for example.

Let me tell you, I had a blast thinking up ways to teach literature students this book! I hope these ideas help you. And we all know that a community of teachers can take an idea and turn it into something amazing. So please leave your ideas in the comments below! Or if you try something, let us know how you adapted it.

Also know that I’d love to engage with you and your students, so contact me if you’re interested.

FREEBIE: Are you a vocab fan? This book was largely written at an accessible reading level but peppered with some trickier vocabulary along the way. (I couldn’t help it!) I’ve selected two words per chapter and created a downloadable handout you may want to give your students. The idea is for students to create definitions using context or your approved definition resources (whether built in to your school tablets or resting on your bookshelves). You can then discuss as a class the “classroom definition” you’ll all use for follow-up assessments. I also created an extra bullet for students to use if they come across another word they’d like to learn. Click here to download!

Hoping for more ideas? More posts for different settings will be coming soon!

Copyright © 2016 Concordia Publishing House. Reproduced by permission.

About The Author

Lisa M. Clark spends her days reading and writing about God’s love for all people. She is an editor for Concordia Publishing House, and she loves the opportunity to work on a variety of resources that share the saving message of Jesus Christ. The Messengers: Discovered, Lisa’s first novel, was released in May 2016. She’s thankful for her church family at Ascension Lutheran Church, where her husband, Matt, serves as pastor.

The post Teaching Discovered in Literature Classrooms appeared first on CPH Blog.

It seems like focusing gets harder and harder each day.

Have you ever felt that way? Do you find yourself piling up tasks to do, but decreasing in productivity? With technology surrounding us, distractions abound. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when we’re overloaded with information and distractions.

On top of that, studies show that our average attention span is decreasing rapidly. A study by Microsoft Corporation recently reported that people now lose concentration after only eight seconds, compared to the previously measured twelve seconds. That’s shorter than the attention span of a goldfish!

Worst of all, when we finally decide to buckle down and focus, many of us find a voice within that keeps us from being productive. This often unwanted inner critic picks at our brains until we self-edit our work away.

We turned to our authors for advice, asking, “How do you tame your inner critic to achieve maximum productivity when you are writing?”

We got some awesome responses.

Katie Schuermann, author of House of Living Stones, The Choir Immortal, and Pew Sisters, said:

I treat my inner critic like a friend. After all, she wants what’s best for my book too. We’ve also spent a lot of time together over the years, and she knows me pretty well at this point. I know her pretty well too, and we’ve agreed that our visits go best if she stops by after I’ve finished writing an entire chapter. That is when I officially invite her over for coffee, and we spend the afternoon talking about how to make my chapter better. I don’t always like what she has to say, but I’d be a fool not to listen to her.
And then, like any friend, she politely leaves when the sun goes down, and she waits for me to invite her back another day. We’re good like that.
Come to think of it, my inner critic has never told me her name, but I have a hunch that it’s Mrs. Scheinberg.

Mary J. Moerbe, author of Blessed: God’s Gift of Love, Whisper, Whisper, and How Can I Help? said:

It isn’t that writing brings out my inner critic—she is always with me. Most of my experience with her comes from my normal, day-to-day life, but that also means that all the things that strengthen me throughout my day help me when I write too.
Writing every day also helps. It lets me fall into a pattern of writing when inspired, rereading when I’m in an emotionally stable place, and editing when I’m at my most analytical. I just have to recognize what I am best suited for at the time.
Other than that, when I write, either I am absorbed in the subject or I imagine someone I am trying to help. That helps me be disciplined by answering anticipated questions, concerns, and criticism on paper, which reassures me and, I hope, helps me give a thorough treatment of both topic and audience. I guess I treat self-criticism as part of my target audience.

Lisa M. Clark, author of The Messengers: Discovered and Blessing and Prayers for Parents, said:

When I used to teach, I would often tell students to relax about the details at first. Sometimes, we’re so worried about making things perfect that we’re frozen before we even begin to write.
I try to take my own advice, but it can be hard. As an early writer, I had tossed out many potential projects because my inner critic was much too harsh. Here are two ways I treat my inner critic:

1. I wear hats. Not real ones, of course (well, my hat collection is another story). But I think of my vocation of the day. Am I Lisa the writer or Lisa the editor? And which kind of editor? Since I am also an editor for others, it helps for me to know that things don’t have to be perfect right away. So Lisa the writer takes over for a while and only does some editing that comes on the spot as she crafts a sentence. Then she often steps away from her work until her heart and mind are prepared for Lisa the editor. With fresh eyes, Lisa the editor comes in and works too, paying attention to the sound of words and the flow of thought. But Lisa the writer and Lisa the editor know that there are many editors to follow in this process of writing and that the text will be in very capable hands long after I say good-bye to the finished, not-so-finished work.
2. I take a good look at my motivations. Why am I writing this? Who is this for? Why is my inner critic scolding my work? In other words, do I want my writing to be perfect because I’ll be too embarrassed if there is a flaw? (Newsflash: there always is.) Or am I doing my best to use my gifts to God’s glory? If it’s to God’s glory, I pray that God uses me as His instrument and grants me grace in my inevitable shortcomings. If it’s for my own benefit, I not-so-kindly tell my inner critic to take a hike.

Christina Hergenrader, author of Love Rules: A Study of the Ten Commandments and Starring Roles Devotional—Moms said:

My inner critic is different day to day. Like Lisa, my days seem to be either writing days or editing days. On editing days, my inner critic is screaming in my ear. On writing days, she only whispers. Most days, she manages a little of both.

I also agree with Katie that my inner critic is definitely my friend. I’ve found that if I pick fights with her, she only gets louder and more obnoxious.

On days when I’m dragging on a deadline and I need to get words on the page, I use a trick.  On my desk is a bright pink timer that our dentist gave our daughter. I turn it over and write for one full minute—even if the stuff that comes out is terrible.

By the time the pink sand has sifted to the bottom, my fingers are working on their own, and my inner critic is back to using her nice voice.

Donna Pyle, author of Without This Ring: Surviving Divorce, The God of All Comfort, and Quenched: Christ’s Living Water for a Thirsty Soul, said:

I fall a little different on the spectrum. In writing and teaching Bible studies, I find my inner critic to be invaluable. It’s always challenging me to look deeper and put myself in the text. I tend to write a page or so, but then stop and reread it. I listen for my inner critic to ask valuable questions: “Are you interpreting those passages based on the text or on your own speculation or opinion?” “Imagine you are standing in that scene from Scripture; have you captured important details that might be missed at first glance?” My inner critic asks helpful questions to hone what’s on the page. When negative thoughts, such as “That’s the worst paragraph you’ve ever written!” pop into my head, that is usually fatigue-induced negativity where the enemy is working to drag me down. Such negativity is my clue to take a break, brew fresh coffee, play with the kitty cats, say a prayer, or sometimes just take a nap!

The post Writers’ Roundtable: Productivity & Taming Your Inner Critic appeared first on CPH Blog.

Each summer, Concordia Publishing House selects qualified students to participate in our nine-week internship program. Through this program, young members of the LCMS gain hands-on experience in various aspects of publishing, general business, and leadership development. This summer, CPH has selected four summer interns and two summer employees. Learn about them below!

Pictured from left to right are our summer employees Carolina VonKampen and Emily Walton, followed by our summer interns Caitlin Copeland, Jonah Schultz, David Keating, and Nathaniel Jensen.

Meet the Interns!

Name: Caitlin Copeland

School: Concordia University Texas (Woosh!)

Year in School: Junior

Major: Secondary education, content area English with Lutheran teaching

Hometown: Houston, Texas

Department at CPH: VBS

How did you hear about the internship program, and what made you apply? I heard about the program through an email I received from our head of missions department at CTX. My roommate also forwarded the email to me and said it sounded like something I would like! It’s funny because a couple days before I had heard about the internship, I had prayed that God would show me what He wanted me to accomplish this summer. Before I heard about the internship, I was planning to work at a camp but was not too enthusiastic about it for this summer. I am definitely thankful for the opportunity God afforded me at CPH!

What’s your favorite part about the CPH internship program so far? I like that there is always something to do and someone to help. I also love the people; that goes for employees and the other interns. They have made the transition from Texas to St. Louis very enjoyable.

Favorite Bible verse? Proverbs 16:9: “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps” (NIV).

One fun fact about you: I have an identical twin sister.

Name: Jonah Schultz

School: Concordia University Chicago

Year in School: Senior

Major: Secondary Ed. English—Lutheran Teacher Educator

Hometown: Overland Park, Kansas

Department at CPH: Public Relations

How did you hear about the internship program, and what made you apply? I heard about the internship program from one of my professors in an email to a Listserv I almost never read. I’m so lucky I happened to read that email, because this experience has been incredible. I initially wanted to apply for the internship just to have a summer job. But then I researched CPH and looked into the internships they offered. I was thrilled with what I saw—it seemed as though interns were treated like important contributors to a high-level organization. This proved true as I found myself working on important projects my first day on the job. I’m so glad I read that email, and I hope that this amazing program will be publicized in the future so that more students have an opportunity like CPH has offered me.

What’s your favorite part about the CPH internship program so far? I really enjoy working with my co-workers on a variety of projects, and my favorite part of this program so far is this inclusive sense of family. CPH functions as a family of sorts—a microcosm of the Christian family. Everyone supports one another, loves one another, and eats A LOT of food together. Like all families, I’m sure fights happen from time to time, but in our family at CPH the focus is always on sacrificing for one another and finding new ways to share the love of Christ in all of the work we do. The best part may be that we are a family, but a close second is the feeling of being a member of this family. I feel comfortable using “we” and “our” when I talk about “us.” I don’t think that’s typical for a nine-week intern.

Favorite Bible verse? Romans 1:16a: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (ESV).

One fun fact about you: I am rather obsessed with pens. I won’t use ballpoint pens anymore. I usually use only fountain pens—preferably with a fine-point nib (Japanese manufactured are better)—and will use another kind only if I must. I’ve even made my own fountain pens using a lathe. I was going to launch into a description of my favorite kinds of fountain pen, but I think you get the point.

Name: David Keating

School: Concordia University, Nebraska

Year in School: Recent graduate

Major: Theology

Hometown: Center Moriches, New York

Department at CPH: Sunday School Curriculum

How did you hear about the internship program, and what made you apply? A professor at Concordia, Nebraska, told me about the opportunity. I use CPH resources so frequently, and I wanted to get a look at how the company worked from the inside.

What’s your favorite part about the CPH internship program so far? All of the fantastic people that I’ve met. It’s been such a welcoming environment!

Favorite Bible verse? Joshua 1:9

One fun fact about you: I used to act and have appeared as an extra in CSI: NY, Music and Lyrics, and quite a few commercials!

Name: Nathaniel Jensen

School: Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana

Year in School: Sem. II

Major: In college, I majored in German and theological languages at Concordia University Wisconsin.

Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri

Department at CPH: Book Production

How did you hear about the internship program, and what made you apply? I heard about it from a former intern. The tasks sounded intriguing, and being home for the summer has its benefits.

What’s your favorite part about the CPH internship program so far? Getting to know the people and processes behind the scenes. I’ve shopped at CPH for years, so it’s fun to see where the books actually come from.

Favorite Bible verse? Romans 3:28

One fun fact about you: This is my first internship, but I worked in the archives and library at Concordia University Wisconsin, at Concordia Historical Institute last summer, and in the library at Fort Wayne.

They liked it so much they came back for more!

Last month, we welcomed back two of our 2015 summer interns as summer employees.

Name: Carolina VonKampen

School: Concordia University, Nebraska

Year in School: Senior

Major: English and history (NOT education)

Hometown: Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Department at CPH: Curriculum Resources

What made you want to come back to CPH? I had such a fun time with my fellow interns last year as we worked together during the workday and explored St. Louis in our free time, and I learned so much from working as an editorial intern and being in a publishing house. I’m so blessed to be back at CPH for another summer—I’ve already gotten so much more valuable editorial experience, and it’s good to be back with familiar faces.

How did you initially hear about the internship program, and what made you apply? I was searching for editorial internships and found the internship listings on the CPH website. CPH seemed like a safe Christian environment to get my first experience in an editorial department, and St. Louis looked like a fun place to live for the summer.

What’s your favorite thing about CPH? I love how people treat one another like family. Everyone goes out of their way to be nice to you, help you, and make you feel welcome. Even after I left CPH after my internship last summer, people still kept in contact and offered help and advice. Also, food days are pretty awesome.

Favorite Bible verse? 1 Timothy 4:12

One fun fact about you: I studied abroad in Rome, Italy, and Wittenberg, Germany, this spring semester.

Name: Emily Walton

School: Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida

Year: I graduated in May, and I’m getting ready to start my first semester of graduate school.

Major: In college, I studied communication studies (public relations) and music (voice performance).

Hometown: Celebration, Florida

Department at CPH: Public Relations

What made you want to come back to CPH? I had such a great time working here last summer! I learned so much in my time here, and it felt great to be a part of such meaningful work. CPH is also just a really fun environment to work in.

How did you initially hear about the internship program, and what made you apply? I found out about the internship while looking through the CPH website one day. I had a couple of internships before this one, but I thought it would be awesome to intern for a company whose mission I believe in so deeply and whose work is so important. I also really wanted to move to St. Louis for the summer. I have grandparents here, and it’s been so nice to spend so much time with them.

What’s your favorite thing about CPH? My favorite thing about CPH is definitely the people here. Everyone is so nice, and they have gone out of their way to make me feel welcome.

Favorite Bible verse? So many, but if I had to pick, I would probably choose all of Psalm 23.

One fun fact about you: I’m going to grad school for opera in August!

More about the CPH internship program:

The intent of this program is to provide practical experience in various aspects of publishing and general business as well as leadership development. The focus will be on the Concordia University System; however, students from other colleges and universities who meet all requirements and are an active member of an LCMS congregation will be considered. Interns will work on active projects. A secondary objective will be to identify potential candidates for future career opportunities at Concordia Publishing House.

Students must be nominated by a professor from their college or university. Students should submit their CV and one or more letters of recommendation from a professor by the deadline posted on the CPH website. Past interns have worked in areas including digital copywriting, editorial intern (VBS), editorial curriculum, multimedia, IT, music, PR/publicity, and professional and academic book production.

All internships are paid and can count for three hours of college credit.

Check the CPH website for the latest updates on our internship program.

The post Meet the Interns! appeared first on CPH Blog.

The requests continue for help to teach and lead discussion for my novel, Discovered in The Messengers series. And I’m so happy to oblige! Here is my second blog post about how to bring Simon and the Message worth dying for to more people. This time, we’ll look at it from a book club angle. Now, I’ve heard that both adult and youth book clubs alike are reading this book (yay!), so I’ll try to touch on some activities and ideas that could apply to both situations. As a leader of your book club (or teacher who is going with a book club vibe for your unit), you’ll want to adapt according to your group.

Getting started . . . at the end. I’ve mentioned before that there are questions at the end of the novel (two questions per chapter). Sixty questions can be a bit daunting for a book club! So, here are some thoughts. (1) As your group reads, ask them to mark their favorite questions. The most popular choices get first priority. (2) Designate a person every five chapters or so to pick and lead one question when you meet. (3) You pick! You know your group, so skim through the questions (especially for the last few chapters) and decide the game plan yourself. (4) Make me pick. Here’s a brief list of questions I would probably ask if I were leading a book club:

• Chapter 3, Question 2 could get very deep as you investigate character motivations. Do you have real-life comparisons to Ben and Simon? How do you think this will play out in the next book?
• Chapter 6, Question 1 could be opened up to include all characters if you’ve read the entire book.
• Chapter 17, Question 1 could even involve some current events articles you find.
• Chapter 24, Question 2 can invite conversation on how Christians can reach out to the marginalized in society.
• Chapter 29, Question 1 (or Chapter 30, Question 2) may help any readers who have mixed feelings about the book’s resolution. How might this action reflect real life (past or present)?

By the way, there are additional discussion questions in the blog post for teaching this novel in a literature class. You may want to check it out for more ideas!

Live a little. Help bring the book to life with the following activities and games that encourage readers to experience New Morgan.

• Who am I? Place nametags on each person’s back. Promote movement around the room as everyone guesses which character they are. (Teacher tip: if you’re working with teens, don’t “typecast.” Be careful not to hurt feelings if someone thinks a character choice hits too close to home.) After everyone guesses, you may want to ask them all to move their nametags to the front of their shirts, keeping the roles throughout the meeting.
• Panel interview. Ask a handful of people to play key characters. The rest of the group can ask the volunteers questions as if they are the individuals in the book.
• Readers theater. Pick a favorite scene to read out loud. A narrator can read the action. You can assign character parts for members to read. If you want to take this further, a younger group may want to rehearse a skit to perform for parents, siblings, or a Sunday School class. (Be careful to choose a selection without many spoilers if you plan to perform!)
• Book list. Talk about the dystopian genre, and ask group members to mention other favorites. How is this book similar to others? How is it different? You may want to contact members ahead of time to invite them to bring in other dystopian books for this discussion.

Create the environment. Depending on your energy level, you could go all out to turn your book club space into New Morgan.

• An outside hallway could have blank white walls, darkened windows, orange flags with black stars, or posters similar to the ones in chapter 1. The meeting room itself could either look like Simon’s classroom or the City. For classroom ideas, check out chapter 1 again. For the City, you could use stone wall decorations, Christian symbols, archways, murals, mosaics, a tent with a Bible, fire pits . . . I’m getting excited just thinking of all you could do! (And yes, I would LOVE to see photos.)
• See the bottom portion of today’s freebie for a possible invitation printout. Go to a craft store or search online to send invitations in vials! The book team at CPH has been doing some fun things with red wax for seals. When members arrive, you may want a gatekeeper to see if the visitors are “verified.”
• Themed snacks may not sound too appealing, considering Simon’s world. However, there are ways of making this work! First of all, Mrs. Meyer can always save the day. Rolls can be a satisfying snack, and crescent rolls are easy with a little help from the premade dough at the grocery store. Try not to go too fancy though; Mrs. Meyer has to work through limited means: hot cross buns, dinner rolls, and fresh baked loaves are simple and delicious. Shortbread cookies might be a practical option for sweets. Then again, this is your party! Cookies cut or pressed using Christian symbols can be fun. Red icing might look like the wax seals. And if you’d like to see amazing cookies with the cover symbol, find my author Facebook page for a photo!

Are you a dinner book club? If bean soup doesn’t whet the appetite, perhaps Mrs. Pharen’s beef and noodle dish would be more satisfying (see recipe in today’s freebie). Sandwiches with ham, bologna, or fried canned ham could be an option as well.

Well, this was fun. Are you having a book club? Can I come?! On a serious note, I truly would love to hear what kind of things you tried in order to make your visit to New Morgan a memorable one.

FREEBIE: This freebie has two parts. The top half is Mrs. Pharen’s easy recipe for noodles with beef and gravy. The second half can be reproduced to create your own special book club invitations. Enjoy!

Freebie Download

Hoping for more ideas? More posts for different settings will be coming soon!

The post Leading Discovered in Your Book Club appeared first on CPH Blog.

We caught up with author John Pless, to talk about life and his new book Praying Luther’s Small Catechism.

1. What is your favorite part about being a professor at Concordia Theological Seminary?

Breaking open the riches of Lutheran theology in the classroom for future pastors and deaconesses of the church in the anticipation that they might have at least as much joy in serving the Gospel as I did in my seventeen years as pastor of University Lutheran Chapel in Minneapolis.

2. What are some of your hobbies?

Travel. Reading. Boundary Waters canoeing. Backpacking.

3. Who are a few of your favorite authors?

Martin Luther, Hermann Sasse, Werner Elert, and Oswald Bayer.

4. What is your vision for how your new book Praying Luther’s Small Catechism will be used in churches? How should pastors use it? How can laity use it?

I hope that pastors and laity alike will use it to deepen their own spiritual lives. Pastors can use it to increase their knowledge of the catechism for preaching and teaching.  Sometimes, lay people think of the catechism just as a textbook for confirmation instruction. I hope my book helps them see that the catechism is much more. It is a handbook for prayer and the Christian life. I’m hoping that pastors will use it in Bible classes and other adult education forums in the upcoming Reformation anniversary year as a way of getting their people into Luther’s “prayed theology.”

5. What inspired you to write this book?

I’ve long been struck by the observation of Wilhelm Loehe, a Lutheran pastor of the nineteenth century, that out of all the catechisms of Christendom, Luther’s catechism alone can be prayed.  This prompted me to think about the catechism as prayer book, and it shaped the way I taught it as a pastor and now as a professor.  In many ways, my own students inspired me to write this book. I’ve taught catechetics not only here in Fort Wayne but also to Lutheran seminarians and pastors in Africa and Asia. The more time I spent overseas, the more I became convinced that the catechism is vital for the ordinary Christian life. This was reinforced for me these last two weeks as I conducted eight seminars in Japan for Lutheran congregations as they had a “kick-off campaign” to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.  Speaking on the vitality of Luther’s Reformation for today, I focused on the catechism as the epitome of the ongoing significance of the Reformation. It was great fun, and I was deeply moved at the eagerness of these Lutherans who live in a country where less than 1 percent of the population is Christian to dig deeper into the catechism.

6. You travel pretty often; where is the coolest place that you’ve been?

I’ve been in over thirty countries, and each has its own charm and intrigue. It is hard to identity one as the “coolest,” but I guess that honor would go to Madagascar.

7. What part of the writing process is most difficult for you?

The first chapter is always the hardest. If I get that one down, the remainder of the book seems to flow more smoothly.

8. What is your favorite bible verse? Galatians 2:20

9. Who is the most influential person in your life?

Apart from my parents, it would have to be Dr. Norman Nagel, who has been a friend and mentor to me in countless ways.  This book is dedicated to him on his ninetieth birthday.

10. Do you prefer to read or write? Why?

Well, reading is certainly easier, and I enjoy reading immensely. But for me, reading leads me to formulate thoughts with a view toward writing.

The post Q&A with John Pless appeared first on CPH Blog.

The #SelfiesWithSimon. The #SimonSightings. The book reviews and random Facebook tags. I am so very thankful for my brothers and sisters in Christ for sharing how Simon has impacted their lives this summer. Teens and adults alike are sharing The Messengers with others, and the youth group is one setting in which this is taking place.

This is my third blog post on how to share the Message worth dying for with others; this time, I’ll focus on ways to use it at church with youth. That said, I think ideas from my first and second posts can be borrowed, adapted, and applied here as well. Further, I’m starting to hear back from youth leaders about ideas they have for the book. Keep sharing, friends! I’m thankful to learn from you. (Warning! Spoiler Alert: This post has a few more spoilers than usual. Proceed with caution.)

Getting started . . . at the end. I’ll risk repeating myself by mentioning that there are questions at the end of the novel (two questions per chapter). If your youth group is only going to work with the book over one study, you’ll want to choose wisely. Feel free to let your students pick which questions to discuss. Of course, you can plan ahead and pick your favorites. Need some ideas? Here’s a brief list of questions I would probably ask if I were leading a youth group discussion:

• Chapter 4, Question 1 could become a great discussion on planting the seed of God’s Word. Maybe some of your students can relate to Simon if they had a time in their lives they didn’t listen to others about Jesus. Maybe some of your students feel like Jonathan as they witness to friends or family members. You can explore Jesus’ parable of the sower to bring clarity to the blessings and challenges of proclaiming God’s love to others.
• Chapter 7, Question 1 explores the “dual citizenship” Christians have of being in the world but not of it. Ask teens about their experiences of being believers in a world that doesn’t understand them.
• Chapter 8, Question 2 has rich imagery of light and darkness, of life and death. This question might develop into an entire Bible study, if time permits.
• Chapter 15, Question 2 sheds light on the importance of the Word. Ask youth ways in which we “hide” the Bible today.
• Chapter 30, Question 1 points to Simon’s recent vows as a Messenger. After asking teens how they’d feel about making such promises, bring in the reality that most of them already have! The questions Zeke asks are straight out of Lutheran Service Book for Confirmation. Turn to pages 272–274, and read through the questions together. Weigh in on the gravity of what it means to be a confirmed “Messenger.”

Setting the stage. Help teens get into the world of New Morgan and recognize the reality of this environment for many believers.

• Find the youth group. To mix things up, don’t meet in your usual room. Perhaps your room could look ransacked or sterile with propaganda posters. Somewhere in the room, post a clue to where teens should go to find your meeting place. For added drama, give a few clues along the way in this scavenger hunt. If you have young adult volunteers, ask them to dress like the Messengers and wait for teens to arrive, guiding them in the darkness to your designated spot for the day.

• Bible review challenge. How well do your teens know the Bible? Give them a Bible passage to memorize before entering the room for the day. (The freebie below can help with that.) Offer a list of Bible passages and see which group can find the Bible references fastest. Work together by assigning verses of a longer passage. (Mark 4:1–9; John 3:1–21; and Romans 10:14–17 are all fitting.) Recite it together, perhaps in front of a group of young kids in Sunday School.

• Be a carrier. Create a scavenger hunt game where groups try to find the truth. A volunteer could enter the room and announce that verified messages need to be brought in. Teams can follow leaders or receive a preliminary message to find a handful of stations—and Bible passages. For added fun, buy plastic lab vials online and fill them with slips containing Bible passages and the next clue. (I learned from some colleagues that you can find red wax that can be loaded in a hot glue gun to create a seal.)

Spreading the Word. Equip the teens in your church to spread the Gospel.

• A list of hope. This is one of my favorite activities in a group anyway. Hand out sheets of paper and have students open their Bibles and to some of their favorite passages. Suggest confirmation verses or any Bible readings that give them comfort. If students seem stuck, have a list of choices nearby (the freebie below may help). Then, ask each teen to read one of their verses and to explain why this passage is special to them. Write the references down, and encourage all youth to create a list of these Bible verses and to keep them in their personal Bibles for times when they need encouragement from the Word. As a powerful bonus, your youth are confessing their faith and building up one another as they share.

• Chalk in the neighborhood. Spoiler alert: I just want to make a point that this spoiler doesn’t have to be a spoiler. In other words, if your youth have already read the book, play up the fact that you’re helping Simon by making the Word visible to others. However, if this day is actually a precursor to your youth reading the book, you don’t have to say much of anything about this activity other than it’s an opportunity to share God’s truth with others. When they *do* read the book, it can be a fun “aha!” moment for them to realize how they’ve played a part in the plot already. Give groups some chalk and the list you compiled above (or use the freebie below). Encourage them to choose from the passages and share a few on public sidewalks and other approved areas. Gauge the maturity of your teens and discern whether chaperones can give added guidance on appropriate locations.

• Passage plants. Cut (or purchase) blank cards—business cards are a nice size for this. The freebie below can also help. If you make your own, use some of the Bible passages from the “list of hope” activity or simply ask students to copy Bible passages onto the small cards. Stickers, markers, and the like can make these look nice. Encourage students to slip these Bible verses where others can find them—when paying a restaurant bill, when donating clothes, when sitting in a waiting room. They may also want to keep the cards in their wallets or purses to hand out when a friend needs encouragement.

Serving the World. Encourage your teens to proclaim the Gospel in their actions.

• Pray for missionaries. The LCMS has missionaries throughout the world. Do some research to learn about a few of them. Pray for these messengers by name, and consider raising funds to assist in their service.
• Donate the λόγος. Raise funds or collect gently used Bibles. Research online for ways to deliver the message of salvation to those who desperately want to hear it. Sites such as cph.org/cgo can help give ideas.

Another idea is to have an author visit you, online or in person. (That’s right; I’m brazenly inviting myself to your party.) Or just send photos and other ideas my way so I can share the fun with others! For example, Heather McCoy created a booklet for her readers to use as they read along. (Look her up for more info!) A few teachers, including Katie Eyster, read chapter one of Discovered to their classes before summer break; you may want to do the same for your youth group.

FREEBIE: A few of you have seen me use these little cards on Instagram. Here is a downloadable version for you! For best results, print in color on cardstock, but improvise as needed. Don’t have time to cut the cards? Ask your teens to help out.

Hoping for more ideas? More posts for different settings will be coming soon!

The post Reading Discovered with Your Youth Group: Sharing the Messengers with Others appeared first on CPH Blog.

How to Know You’re the CPH VBS Intern . . .

Coming into my CPH 2016 internship in the VBS department, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. I knew roughly what jobs I would be working on and who my manager was going to be, but that was about it. Over the course of my nine-week internship, I picked up a few cues that I hope will help future interns recognize the eight signs that they are officially the CPH VBS intern.

8 Signs You’re the CPH VBS Intern

1. You know you’re the VBS intern when . . . you wear a T-shirt and jeans to work for two weeks straight.

 

2. You know you’re the VBS intern when . . . you’ve ridden on every single elevator in the building.

 

3. You know you’re the VBS intern when . . . Heather mistakes you for one of the photo-shoot kids.

 

4. You know you’re the VBS intern when . . . Kim says, “Bring your VBS shirt, just in case.”

 

5. You know you’re the VBS intern when . . . you can hear Pam singing from her cube.

 

6. You know you’re the VBS intern when . . . all the eight-year-old girls at the VBS photo shoot fight over who gets to play with your hair next.

 

7. You know you’re the VBS intern when . . . Kim dresses you up in pantaloons and a velvet jacket just because she can.

 

8. You know you’re the VBS intern when . . . you have way too much fun at work.

 

If you ever find yourself doing one of these eight things, there’s a pretty good chance that, yes, you are indeed the VBS intern.

---

About Caitlin

Caitlin Copeland lives in the good ol’ state of Texas and is going into her junior year at Concordia University Texas. She’s a Secondary Education English major who has a particular obsession with war literature. She thinks she looks nothing like her identical twin sister and is convinced every sentence sounds better when it starts “y’all.”

 

 

You can find out more about Caitlin and the other CPH interns in our Meet the Interns post.

The post 8 Signs You Might Be the CPH VBS Intern appeared first on CPH Blog.

Fans of adult coloring books don’t usually need a reason to pick up their colored pencils. But, if you are looking for a reason to color today, look no further. Today is National Coloring Book Day! Hooray!

To celebrate, we’re giving you free coloring pages from our new adult coloring book, The Garden of Eden: Create•Meditate•Restore.

Download the free coloring pages.

We hope you enjoy coloring these pages. We’d love to see your creations! When you’re finished, share a photo of the page you colored on social media and tag us with #cphreads. Happy coloring!

The post National Coloring Book Day appeared first on CPH Blog.

Here’s your first look at Why Should I Trust the Bible? written by A. Trevor Sutton, the author of Being Lutheran.

You’ve got tough questions about the Bible. Maybe you’ve even heard things like, “The Bible is racist.” Or, “The Bible has too many errors and edits.” Or, “The Bible is merely a mythological story like Homer’s Odyssey.”

Why Should I Trust the Bible?  tackles accusations like those head-on. Author A. Trevor Sutton compares the Bible to writings that have been deemed more credible than the Bible, like the Book of Mormon, encyclopedias, and even Shakespeare’s works. He tests the Bible using the same rigorous standards that have been used to test those other writings. He examines historical evidence, witness accounts, and translation concerns.

By the end, you’ll be able to better defend your faith when its very foundation is attacked. You’ll get many of your tough questions answered. And you’ll see that when all other texts fall, the Bible still stands—as completely, undeniably trustworthy.

What people are saying about Why Should I Trust the Bible?

“Why Should I Trust the Bible?” demonstrates a style of writing our churches need. Trevor Sutton removes the jargon from theology so that all the members of Christ’s church, lay and clergy, can learn more about the truth of God’s Word in a way we can easily understand and put to use in our daily life and witness. The title poses a question, “Why Should I Trust the Bible?” and Pastor Sutton’s answers will bless individual reading, study groups and sermons. —Rev. Dr. Dale A. Meyer, President, Concordia Seminary St. Louis

If you’ve never been asked why the Bible can be trusted, you will be. If you’ve never asked that question yourself, you should. And this brief, non-technical volume will be of great help in beginning to formulate an answer. With both humor and humility, Trevor Sutton guides readers through some of the most common objections to Scripture’s trustworthiness, answering each winsomely and wittily—and pastorally. Highly recommended for youth and adult Bible studies, and for all parish libraries. —Korey Maas, Assistant Professor of History, Hillsdale College, Michigan

In a time in the world when there are so many more questions than answers, this book speaks with great clarity and great precision about the reliability of the Holy Scriptures.  While the thinking is deep and detailed, the writing is warm and pastoral.  The author has a simple formula that leads the reader to understanding God’s plan of salvation:  Grace + Faith = Salvation.  Simple is good!  Thank you Pastor Sutton for this fine work. —Rev. Timothy M. Klinkenberg, Senior Pastor St. John’s Lutheran Church, Orange, California

Where can we put our trust in today’s “headline equals truth” fast-paced, quick-scrolling culture? Having spent my career engaging in the digital space, I see how the onslaught of secular humanism relentlessly berates the Christian worldview. As the attacks reign down upon us, it’s only natural for Bible-believing Christians to have moments where we pause and ask: Is this all true? Can the Bible that proclaims our Savior be trusted? In Why I Should Trust the Bible, Rev. Sutton takes a number of myths that seek to discredit the Bible and places them on the table for discussion. Chapter by chapter, he carefully dissects each claim in detail and counters them with solid biblical truth. By taking the time to examine each claim, Sutton strengthens our confidence in the Bible and equips us to more thoughtfully share the truth with our family, friends, and neighbors in truth and love whether online or offline. I pray that this is the first in a series of apologetic books. —Seth R. Hinz, Assistant to the President, Michigan District – Web & Media Director

Why Should I Trust the Bible? will be available September 6, 2016.

Pre-order Why Should I Trust the Bible?

Add Why Should I Trust the Bible to your Goodreads shelf

The post First Look | Why Should I Trust the Bible? appeared first on CPH Blog.

In Holding Up the Prophet’s Hand, Dr. Bruce Hartung shared the importance of supporting professional church workers. Now in Building Up the Body of Christ, he turns his attention to providing church leaders with a guidebook for creating healthy environments for their congregations. In this Q&A, Dr. Hartung shares leadership strategies, struggles, and advice for readers of Building Up the Body of Christ.

Why did you want to write Building Up the Body of Christ?

A crucial dynamic for a healthy and effective congregation is the mutual interaction and support of the congregation and its pastor and other church workers. The congregation as a whole supports and strengthens its pastor, and the pastor supports and strengthens the life of the congregation and each individual in it. These reciprocal supporting relationships are the focus (singular) of this book, Building Up the Body of Christ, and my earlier book, Holding Up the Prophet’s Hand. In Holding Up the Prophet’s Hand, I focused on how church congregations, schools, and other church-related organizations can support their pastors, church workers and lay leaders. In Building Up the Body of Christ, I wanted to develop the other side of this proverbial coin: how pastors, church workers and lay leaders can help develop and strengthen congregational life. The two books actually go together well.

How would you recommend using this book as a pastor, church worker or lay leader?

I would like to see pastors, church workers and lay leaders take the book up first as an individual and read it just to get familiar with the trajectory of it and see the whole picture. Generally, the chapters of the book are not just individual topics that are taken up; rather, they build on one another and develop a kind of momentum that paints a broad picture of the nature of being a pastor, church worker or lay leader, not just the techniques (of which there are many) of leadership.

I would hope, though, that pastors, church workers and lay leaders would gather together to discuss the book in depth. We have so much more opportunity to deepen our skills and mature as followers of Jesus when we walk together. If elders or church councils or pastoral groups or school faculty came together to study this, I would find that really exciting. That would make my writing the book worthwhile.

This book examines the challenges in ministry through many lenses. Which strategy do you find most helpful in your ministry?

I have found—and you are asking a personal question of a strategy that I have found most helpful—that the most important component of leadership is the person of the leader and how that person becomes more and more an imitator of the person of Christ. So as a strategy, this means I need to continue to put myself in positions where I am learning and growing as a disciple of Jesus. This means I need people around me who will offer me feedback about my work as well as people who will support me as I am transparent about my own life and discipleship. I need to be asking how I am growing emotionally, spiritually, intellectually, empathically, and the like and put into my life places and people to help me do that. Regular Word and Sacrament participation as a congregation is, of course, key.

What struggles do you find most commonly facing leaders today? How can they address these issues?

I hope the two books are clear about this. Burnout, stress, secondary traumatic stress, and spiritual warfare are all major struggles. These all connect to the person of the pastor and church worker though. Church leaders, in order to strengthen the life of their congregations, need to be people who genuinely interact with the people they serve—in empathic, relational, and supporting ways. Relationships are key, and pastors and other church workers should be growing in their relationship capacities. They grow in these capacities through openness to feedback from others and openness about themselves to people with whom it is safe to be transparent. They grow by being a continual learner in all aspects of their lives—interpersonal, emotional, physical, spiritual, intellectual—and by being closely connected to Word and Sacrament as they always are in remembrance of their Baptism.

What advice do you have for new pastors and other church workers?

Besides reading Building Up the Body of Christ, I presume? Study the book together with other pastors and church workers and identify areas for personal and leadership growth. Find mentors who have walked before you and can coach you. Pay attention to your spiritual life and the implications of spiritual warfare for you, and surround yourself with people who can help with your spiritual life. Help your congregation, school, or other church-related organization’s leadership develop Worker Support Teams (see Holding Up the Prophet’s Hand) or something like them. Worship regularly and receive the Sacrament of the Altar often. Pay attention to all areas of your health and well-being, including physical, intellectual, social, emotional, financial, and spiritual areas.

What advice do you have for experienced pastors and church workers?

Everything in the previous response, except multiply them. Patterns build up, wear and tear happens, longer-term struggles set in. The idea is to develop supportive relationships that attend to the natural and predictable struggles of life as a pastor. Part of the satanic strategy is to isolate church workers, making them think they are alone in leadership or in the struggles of leadership. Joy is robbed under those circumstances. Our connections with one another bring support, comfort, strength, and maturity.

How much can people actually improve their leadership? Isn’t leadership mainly a fixed level of ability?

Leadership is improved not necessarily so much by developing a new leadership technique or techniques, although these are always good to learn. We all can improve our leadership by developing our own personhood. Thus—to answer the question directly—no, leadership is not mainly a fixed level of ability. All of us can learn and grow and become better leaders in our communities. And, most certainly, all of us can learn and grow so that we make healthy contributions to the life of our community, in this specific case, to the life of the Church as the Body of Christ.

What are your hopes for Christian leaders reading your book?

I hope and pray that the Holy Spirit will bless every one of our members of the Body of Christ and, especially, everyone who takes up the called and ordained ministry as a pastor, or a called position as a church worker, or leads in less formal ways. St. Paul is very clear about the nature of the congregation and the mutual support, edification, and growth that occurs within the congregation. I hope and pray that the book in some small way contributes positively to the strengthening of our congregations so that they remain faithfully gathered around the voice of the Good Shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ.

What advice do you have for seminary and pre-seminary students who are preparing for ministry?

My basic advice is this: use your time in preparation for the ordained ministry to grow more than your intellect. As the whole Body of Christ develops into a fully-functioning, Holy Spirit–led congregation using the diverse kinds and types of people, each person grows more fully in the Body of Christ in mind, body, and spirit. Along that line, I hope all seminary, pre-seminary, education, DCE, and DCO students (and others who consider church leadership) will read the book as well, because it will help them focus on specific areas of personal growth and development, as well as arenas for skill development.

Any plans for future work?

We will see. My interests include, among other things, further work in the area of spiritual warfare and spiritual direction, but there is also so much of what we are learning about the brain that will help us more deeply understand the human person. I am not naturally a long-distance book writer, and I am a professor emeritus (which means I am retired) so, indeed, we will see.

Thanks for the opportunity to have this conversation. May the Holy Spirit richly bless the work of Concordia Publishing House and its work in building up the Body of Christ.

Building Up the Body of Christ: Supporting Community Life in the Church gives church leaders a guidebook for developing and nurturing church environments that are psychologically and spiritually healthy.

The post Leadership in the Church: A Q&A with Bruce Hartung appeared first on CPH Blog.

In this edition of the Writers Roundtable, we sat our authors down to talk about how speaking engagements can impact their writing and engage readers. Our authors also shared a few best practices they have discovered along the way.

Five of our very talented authors/speakers were asked the following three questions:

1. How have speaking engagements impacted your writing and/or how have speaking engagements benefited engagement with readers?
2. Would you encourage other authors to seek speaking engagements?
3. Are there best practices that you have discovered?

And here is what they said:

Deb Burma, author of Living a Chocolate Life, Raising Godly Girls, Beautiful Feet, Stepping Out, and Treasured, said:

1. Speaking engagements have impacted my writing greatly in a number of ways. Much of my published material has grown and developed out of writings I first created for a speaking ministry. Sharing a message face-to-face, engaging with an audience, and communicating personally with women whom the Lord has placed in my path, I’ve been afforded the opportunity to learn about their concerns, their interests, and their life experiences, all of which have impacted the direction of my writing. Speaking engagements evoke immediate responses, prompt questions, and provide invaluable feedback. As a speaker, I find myself repeatedly considering these things: Is the topic/message resonating with the hearer? What can I change, add, or improve to communicate the love of Christ more clearly and effectively? How may God use my words and work to speak to the needs of the audience member and the reader alike?

After attending an event, women have told me that they now hear my voice as they read. The face-to-face connection has also served to establish familiarity and trust, and they may be more likely to take a further look at what I have to say, now through my writing. One woman told me she felt as though I was sitting in her living room sharing the love of Christ with her one-to-one as she worked through her Bible study. Every interaction may encourage a potential reader to become an actual reader!

2. I would absolutely encourage other writers to seek speaking engagements! As the Lord leads each author down unique and different writing paths, at the same time, He gives us a shared passion for communicating the Gospel as we put pen to paper. We each have a message to share, and how exciting to consider that message may be shared by spoken words as well! We trust that as God opens doors for speaking opportunities, He will also equip each and every author to speak of that which they write! Speaking has furthered my desire to write; it has helped fine-tune the messages I share in print; it has given faces to at least a fraction of those who will be impacted by my words, all to the glory of God.

3. I cannot overstate the need for practice and preparation, continually honing my speaking and writing skills, and taking each detail to the Lord in prayer. All this said, I am continually surprised by “divine interruptions” and on-the-spot questions or interactions just prior to speaking that may impact some of my content as I speak to listeners’ immediate needs. I recognize, too, that my next writing will likely be impacted by these very interactions.

Brad Alles, author of Life’s Big Questions, God’s Big Answers and Starting at the End, said:

1. The speaking engagements offer confirmation that the books that I wrote were beneficial and provide me with new insight into the needs of the audience. They tell me what people need for ministry in this post-Christian culture.
2. They are a great way to encourage the Body of Christ by offering new information and allowing them to minister to you!
3. Put the basics into everything. Don’t assume in this day and age that people will understand everything. And after you have established that baseline, move on from there!

Donna Pyle, author of Without This Ring: Surviving Divorce, The God of All Comfort, and Quenched: Christ’s Living Water for a Thirsty Soul, said:

1. An author who serves as a speaker truly engages the best of both worlds. In many instances, God orchestrates meeting a new person at events with a powerful story whom I will later ask to share his or her story in a current writing project. Their incredible stories often change the trajectory of a given book’s chapter, giving it a much more powerful, personal impact on readers. Then when the book releases, the people who shared their stories feel a vested interest in its success to tell others about it.
2. 100 PERCENT YES. By nature, most writers are introverts. However, when we interact more with people, those experiences inform future writing perspectives and topics. Also, a speaker benefits from instant feedback regarding a given topic. You can tell when God is connecting the people with the material, and it’s a powerful inspiration and encouragement for me to keep on keeping on when it’s just me and the laptop later at home.
3. Know your audience and tailor your material to them. It’s an entirely different approach when I speak with a group of teens versus women my age. And above all, I respect the platform that God has given me by being prepared. Those in the audience could have spent their time anywhere, but they chose to spend it listening to me. Their time is valuable, and I want to honor that gift as a privilege, not a given.

Rev. Tim Carter, author of The Executioner’s Redemption, said:

1. Speaking engagements have impacted my writing by inspiring me to get better at following some writing counsel I was given—to help readers get to seriously know me through my written words. Feedback at speaking engagements has helped me understand where I am succeeding and where I am failing at that writing skill. I have found that readers really do get into our writing more when they are enabled to connect with the author from the personal disclosure we supply. They also give me the blessing of having a very real relationship with the readers. A transparent relationship with readers provides very helpful encouragement for both writer and reader. As in every real relationship, readers feel totally blessed to be able to be vulnerable with the speaker and share deep, personal challenges or wounds. It makes any and all difficulties of writing worth it all when a writer discovers that God has comforted a struggling or wounded brother or sister through our writing.

2. I would definitely encourage authors to seek speaking engagements. I have discovered that most authors are like me and need to be cautious about the balance of different responsibilities on our calendar, but I am always very thankful for the blessings afforded at every speaking engagement, even when I have stretched myself quite thin.

3. The number one best practice I have discovered is a lot of prayer in the weeks of preparation and a lot more prayer in the hours and moments before speaking. The more prayer and answered prayer, the more God blesses both me and my audience.

And finally we have Rev. A. Trevor Sutton, author of Being Lutheran and Why Should I Trust the Bible?

1. It helps me to think through something by talking about it with others. The process of planning and preparing, speaking and hearing, discussing and conversing with others gives me a much deeper understanding of a particular topic. Speaking engagements allow me to hone my knowledge because it is auditory rather than simply writing words on a page. Also, it is a great joy to have a personal conversation with a reader. I love it when a reader shares his or her thoughts and reflections on my writing. The only problem is that I often find myself thinking, “Why didn’t I think of that?!?”
2. I would encourage other authors to explore speaking engagements as much as life and other responsibilities allow. It is a powerful way to anchor your writing in real, lived experiences. Rather than writing to a nameless and faceless audience, writers can actually address specific readers and craft their writing to fit these real people.
3. Prepare early. Time is your best friend when it comes to preparing for speaking engagements. I often start preparing for a presentation months in advance and then allow for some weeks in which I do not work on it at all. This allows for new ideas and fresh insights to come to me.

The post Writers’ Roundtable: Speaking Engagements appeared first on CPH Blog.

Here’s your first look at Not-So-Nice Bible Stories: Gory Deaths.

Jael killed Sisera by hammering a tent stake into his head. Jezebel was thrown out a window, trampled, and attacked by dogs. Judas hanged himself. Death in the Bible is sometimes gory. Really gory.

But the grisly deaths and mass killings point to a final gruesome death on the cross and how God provides His Son as the rescue from eternal death. Readers learn about the historical and factual contexts of some of the Bible’s nastiest deaths and how God works in the ugly, messy world. Each chapter concludes with an explanation of the biblical event in question and how it points to Christ as Savior.

Author Jonathan Schkade retells eighteen of the grossest and nastiest deaths in the Bible, while illustrator Gleisson Cipriano enhances every story with gnarly artwork.

Preorder Gory Deaths now at cph.org/gorydeaths and add Gory Deaths to your GoodReads shelf.

The post First Look: Not-So-Nice Bible Stories: Gory Deaths appeared first on CPH Blog.

In 1517, Martin Luther never imagined that the simple action of nailing his 95 Theses to the church door would spark a reformation. All he had hoped to do was start a conversation.

Five hundred years later, the value of the conversation Luther started endures today. Concordia Publishing House has released the special 500th Anniversary Reader’s Edition of Martin Luther’s 95 Theses. In the foreword to this edition, Rev. Ken Schurb writes:

These theses have enduring value. They began with attention to the biblical text, the word repent. In the ensuing controversy, Luther grew more and more to depend on God’s Word, the Bible (sola Scriptura!), against ecclesiastical authorities like popes or councils.

The diligent biblical study that moved Luther to write the 95 Theses both resulted from and served as fuel for his personal devotion, his professorial work, and his pastoral interest in the care of souls—starting with his own. The theses reflected his concern for the certainty of salvation. As stated in what has been called the noblest of these theses, “the true treasure of the church is the most holy gospel of the glory and grace of God” (Thesis 62).

The 95 Theses formed a beginning. Luther went on to dig even further into his study of the biblical Gospel. Later, he mused over how the Lord had been guiding him since the controversy over indulgences.

Luther had aimed to launch a discussion. To the extent that any discussion includes the genuine Gospel of Christ, it contains God’s saving power (Romans 1:16), which really cannot be contained. Not even after 500 years!

Martin Luther’s 95 Theses is available for purchase at cph.org. Bulk discounts are available for congregations that desire to provide a copy to their members.

Download a free excerpt from the 500th Anniversary Reader’s Edition of Martin Luther’s 95 Theses.

The post The Enduring Value of Martin Luther’s 95 Theses appeared first on CPH Blog.

We sat down with author A. Trevor Sutton to learn more about him and his new book Why Should I Trust the Bible.

What made you decide to write this book? Why now?

This book is a response to the countless Internet articles, television shows, university professors, and skeptical scholars claiming that the Bible cannot be trusted. Many of the claims against the Bible try to make you think that this is some sort of new evidence or fresh argument that nobody has ever heard before. That is simply not true. People have been trying to erode our trust in the Bible for generations. And the Bible has remained trustworthy.

Have you ever doubted the credibility of the Bible? If yes, explain. If no, have others close to you? How did that affect the way you wrote this book?

I had a moment in college when I was blindsided by a claim against the Bible that I had not ever heard before. I was taking a history class at a public university when the professor taught about the many different flood stories from antiquity. He then suggested that the Bible had borrowed its flood story from these other stories. I was shocked to find out that I hadn’t heard of these other ancient flood narratives prior to that moment. From then on, I have been determined to help other people avoid similar situations and know how to defend their trust in the Bible.

 What is the danger in not being able to defend the Bible? What is the danger of ignoring the attacks that the Bible is not credible?

Christians are to be “prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15a). It is impossible to predict every question that someone might ask you about the Bible; however, this book addresses the most common claims that people often make against Scripture. The ability to have an intelligent conversation about the Bible allows you an opportunity to tell others about the hope that you have in Christ Jesus.

You recently released another book called Being Lutheran. How was the writing process different for this book?

My second daughter was born while I was working on this book. Since I am a parish pastor, my time for writing is limited to the very early mornings. I usually start writing around 5:30 a.m. However, it was a bit harder to manage those early mornings when I was waking up in the middle of the night to care for a crying baby. I think that I consumed a lot more coffee writing this book than I did when I was writing Being Lutheran.

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve received?

The best way to become a good writer is by reading other good writers. If there is a particular author you want to emulate, then you would do well to read his or her writing as much as possible.

How do you balance life as husband, father, pastor, and writer? Where in your busy schedule do you find time to write?

According to my wife, I have an unnatural amount of energy and enthusiasm. I love that I get to be a husband, father, pastor, and writer. It is very easy to be excited and passionate when you love what you do!

 How do you describe your book to friends and family?

This book introduces people to the most common claims against the Bible. These are the claims that you hear from co-workers, classmates, and neighbors. These are the claims that you hear on the radio and on television shows. This book defends the Bible against these claims and shows how it can and should be trusted.

Can you tell us about a situation in your own life when you defended the Bible to a friend, family member, or stranger? What was difficult about that situation? What was easy?

I was speaking at an academic conference once when one of the other presenters found out that I was a Christian. He was a university professor, and he seemed very surprised to find out that a Christian would present a paper at an academic conference. Apparently, he assumed that being a Christian was devoid of any sort of intellectual engagement. I explained to him that my Christian faith fueled my intellectual pursuit for learning. It was difficult to not be offended by his assumption; however, it ended up being a very fruitful conversation for both of us.

What would you say is the biggest challenge to Christians today?

Christians are becoming increasingly distinct from the culture. It used to be that being a good citizen and fitting in with society meant being a Christian; however, it is quickly becoming exactly the opposite. We live in a world where being Christian is radically countercultural. Although it is a challenge to remain faithful in a hostile world, God promises that the Holy Spirit will be our ever-faithful guide and comfort.

As a pastor, how do you encourage those who come to you with doubts as to the credibility or reliability of Scripture?

Listening is the first step. I never want to provide a hasty answer before I have truly listened to a person’s doubts and concerns. I have found that if you give people time to speak and raise their doubts and issues, then they are often willing to give you time to speak as well. I am also honest with people when I do not know the answer; it is worse to give someone misinformation than it is to simply admit that you need to go look into a topic further.

What is your favorite “far-fetched” Bible account? Why? 

This may be sick and twisted, but I love the story of Eutychus falling out of the window while Paul is preaching (Acts 20). Although it is horrific to hear that the young man died, it is powerful to hear about how God enables Paul to raise him back to life. And it gives me comfort as a preacher to know that nobody has ever died as a result of my preaching!

What three books do you recommend most to your friends?

St. Augustine’s Confessions will change your life. John Kleinig’s Grace upon Grace is always high on my recommendation list. And I am constantly encouraging people to read the Bible.

The post Q&A with A. Trevor Sutton: Why Should I Trust the Bible appeared first on CPH Blog.

We sat down with Susan to talk about life, Bible studies, family, and chocolate. Get to know her a little better with this Q&A!

Where were you raised?

I was raised near Cleveland, Ohio.

Do you prefer the city or country?

Suburbs all the way

How do you take your coffee?

Black, and by the potful

What is your favorite season? Why?

I love sunshine and warmth, beaches and sand, vacations in the mountains, traveling to distant places, and all things that come with summer. And mostly I like that when I was teaching I had more than two months of all these things every year.

What is your favorite thing to do on the weekend?

I wish I had something grand to say, but as the parent of teenagers, I spend most of the weekend taking kids to and fro. I like to get up before everyone else, sip some coffee, and read, knowing that I don’t have to get kids moving for school.

Who is one person who has impacted your life in a significant way?

My two friends, Karen and Amy. We have done the last eighteen years together, through births, through deaths of parents and a child, through cross-country moves and divorce. We have laughed together, cried together, prayed together, and clung to God together. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What influenced you to write women’s Bible studies?

I led Bible study for eighteen years. As I prepped for the studies, I found myself digging deeper and deeper into words and cross-references. And God always showed me bits and pieces from my life that were analogies to what we were studying. After a while, my “Tuesday morning ladies” suggested I write a study of my own. And my husband prodded me on and helped me hit “send.”

What do you hope that readers get from using your Bible studies?

I hope that the women who use my studies see that it’s more than just looking for the right answer, but it’s looking for a place where God touches their lives through His Word. And I hope they connect with other women in a group setting.

Where is your favorite place to write?

The dining room table. Good thing we always eat in the kitchen!

Do you usually listen to music while writing?

There is usually Christian music in the background.

What was it like holding your first published book?

Really? Indescribable! Made more special because it arrived about a month before I expected it, so it was a great surprise!

What is your favorite food?

Any chocolate.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse?

Jeremiah 29:13: “You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with all your heart.”

The post Q&A with Susan Senechal appeared first on CPH Blog.

I have a confession. I’m a terrible audiobook listener. But in a way, I’m sort of grateful for it.

I’m the resident insomniac in my family. When I was little, I used to sneak downstairs after my parents tucked me in, and in my head they had no idea I was hiding behind the couches when they were watching TV. They were grateful when I learned to read because I could keep my insomnia to myself, in my room, as late as I wanted to.

Enter adulthood. And glasses. Usually my eyes are fried by the end of the day, and sometimes my brain is so chaotic and worn out that I have trouble focusing on what I’m reading. So, listening to something when I get into bed helps me wind down. And relax. And . . . sometimes fall asleep right in the middle.

Though I love audiobooks because they help treat my lifelong insomnia, some might say that we at CPH love audiobooks a little too much. Unfortunately for them, but fortunately for our amusement, a few of my fellow CPHers have gotten into some rather strange situations because of their beloved audiobooks. Here are some of their stories.

“I once missed the announcement for boarding a non-stop flight from St. Louis to Milwaukee because I was listening intently to an audiobook and working through a backlog of emails. This included all subsequent ‘looking for passenger Scot Kinnaman’ announcements. The only other available flight to Milwaukee that day routed through Orlando. Florida.”
—Scot Kinnaman, Editorial

“I was in college and working on a drawing in the big, open studio while listening to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Laughed so hard that I interrupted the class that was working in there at the same time. Apparently everyone stopped to look at me. I had no idea.”
—Meagan Thole, User Experience

“I was listening to The Way of Shadows while walking to class. I walked in, sat down in the back, and continued to listen as it was a really exciting part of the book. Didn’t realize for five minutes that my ‘Greek’ class was actually statistics. I slowly packed up all my stuff and walked out of the room to the classroom next door.”
—Jason Britton, Conventions

“I got hit by a car while running and listening to an audiobook. It was low speed—the driver slid on ice at a stop sign. It was more like a gentle tap but it still counts.”
—Jeremy Roegner, User Experience

“I was taking the L in Chicago on my way to school. I pretty much forgot that I was going to school because I was listening to World War Z. I missed my stop, and of course I was rushing in totally late with my arms full of art supplies. I looked totally lost that day.”
—Alex Ha, Graphic Design

Have you had an audiobook fail? Tell us your story in the comments below.

The post Epic Audiobook Fails as Told by CPH Employees appeared first on CPH Blog.

“Everyone with a sin problem has a deeper idolatry problem; and since we all sin, idolatry is everyone’s problem.” —Michael Lockwood

“The confidence and faith of the heart alone make both God and an idol. . . . Whatever you set your heart on and put your trust in is truly your god.” —Martin Luther, Large Catechism I 2–3.

In The Unholy Trinity: Martin Luther against the Idol of Me, Myself, and I, author Michael Lockwood takes on a sin problem that everyone has—that of idolatry.

As Lockwood explains, without God’s First Commandment–focused Law, we would never truly know the depth of our spiritual disease. Anything we fear, love, or trust more than the true God is, plain and simple, our god.

Drawing upon Martin Luther’s key insights on the theology of idolatry, The Unholy Trinity unmasks contemporary idol worship and its futility. Luther’s unparalleled ability to get to the heart of human sin helps us see through the lie of self-sufficiency. Only when walls of man-made security are broken down can we hear the Gospel as good news—by grace, God gives us every good thing we vainly try to provide for ourselves.

What People Are Saying

“How does a preacher best commend the Christian faith to people who have no need for the Gospel, let alone any desire to participate in the Divine Service? Dr. Lockwood provides us with a diagnostic tool for effective proclamation by his excellent analysis of Luther’s teaching on human idolatry and the impact of its delusive claims. . . . This thoroughly biblical, culturally relevant study is a joy to read.”

—Rev. Dr. John W. Kleinig, Professor Emeritus of Biblical Theology, Australian Lutheran College

“Today, secularism is seen as social policy, agnosticism and atheism appear to be respectable, and the ranks of the ‘nones’ are swelling, while indifference to religious views and affiliations grows. So at first glance, idolatry is an unpromising topic for the church’s life and witness. But, as Michael Lockwood shows, a deeper look at idolatry, especially through the eyes of Martin Luther, is revealing and compelling. Tying together many strands and uncovering varied connections in Luther’s thought on false gods, Lockwood presents a rich trinitarian account of idolatry and uses it to uncover and overcome the idols hiding in plain sight today.”

—Dr. Joel P. Okamoto, Waldemar and Mary Griesbach Professor of Systematic Theology Chairman, Department of Systematic Theology, Concordia Seminary

The Unholy Trinity: Martin Luther against the Idol of Me, Myself, and I will be available on October 1, 2016.

Preorder The Unholy Trinity.

Add The Unholy Trinity to your Goodreads shelf.

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Four hundred ninety-nine years down, one to go! The 500th anniversary of the Reformation has been a long time coming, but some people in the pews might not know it’s here or why it’s important. And that makes planning your big Reformation event much more difficult. Here are some tips and resources for educating your members about the Reformation, building momentum toward the anniversary, and getting them on board for your Reformation 500 event.

Introduce a new, regular element to your services.

Your worship services are your core time with your people. So if you want to introduce the Reformation to everyone at once, this is the place to do it. Think of this as a ripple effect; your Sunday-morning change is the stone being dropped.

Make use of this time to introduce your members to what happened during the Reformation and how it affects us today. You’ll be educating them not just about Reformation history but also about the continuity of the Christian faith, all the way from Jesus and the apostles to us today. And that’s great fodder for witnessing one’s faith—especially on the eve of such an important anniversary.

Your new element doesn’t have to be anything drastic. For instance, consider using one of these resources:

• Faces of the Reformation bulletin inserts and Bible studies. Once a month, introduce your members to a new person from Reformation-era history. They’ll learn the big picture of the Reformation and see how God used regular people to do His extraordinary work. Inserts are available in Spanish too.
• Heirs of the Reformation CD. Introduce them to the hymns that were sung right after Luther’s time—and that we still sing today! They’ll see that the Lutheran Church Fathers confessed the same faith we do, and that the Reformation really is relevant to us now.
• Maps and timeline of Reformation history. Use these during Sunday School and adult Bible study to bring further depth to the lessons.
• Free Divine Service settings. If a completely special service is the way you want to go, use one of these. They’ve got preaching resources, children’s messages, and ready-to-print liturgies and music. The sermons are also available in Spanish.

Get people thinking about the Reformation outside of church.

It’s easy for people to walk out the church doors on Sunday and instantly forget everything they heard. So before you ask them to witness about what you taught them about the Reformation, you first have to make sure they remember it.

Part of this comes down to how you teach about the Reformation. History becomes exciting when we learn about the drama behind it—the blood and scandals. So talk about the Reformation like it’s a story. It was scandalous! It had a really bold, outspoken guy at the center of it. Teach it this way, and your people are bound to remember it.

Here are some more things that can help bring the Reformation to life for your members and get them thinking about it Monday through Saturday:

• Reformation Rock video. Get a song stuck in their heads! And this song will get stuck in their heads. Reformation Rock is based on Schoolhouse Rock. It’s a short video with a catchy tune that teaches about the people and events involved in the Reformation. Play the video in Sunday School and adult Bible study. Play it two or three times.
• Digital flannelgraph. Sunday School teachers can make great use of this with young children. The five scenes help kids explore Luther’s life and important events during the Reformation.
• Martin Luther and Katie Luther graphic novels. A large majority of young adult fiction readers are actually adults, so these books aren’t just limited to the kids in your congregation. These books tell the stories of Martin and Katie’s lives in a very visual story format.
• Which Reformer Are You? quiz. Who doesn’t love personality quizzes? Share this quiz with your members—perhaps you could do it via your church’s social media channels. You’ll teach your members about the Reformation, and if they share it, you’ll also have inspired them to share some of that knowledge with others.

Empower your people to share their faith outside of church.

Your members now know about what happened during the Reformation. You’ve helped them see the connection between the Reformation and their faith today. They know why the Reformation still matters. Now, encourage them to talk about it with people outside of church.

As they come back to adult Bible class in the weeks following, start a group conversation about how the witnessing is going. Encourage your members to share their experiences, and start introducing the idea of an organized outreach event (i.e., the big Reformation celebration). Give them time to ponder it and bring forward their ideas.

Here are some things that can help your members start faith conversations and witness to people:

• Reformation 500 gear. Shirts, baseball caps, water bottles, stickers, coffee mugs—any of these things could start a faith conversation between a member and someone else. All it takes is someone asking, “Hey, what’s Reformation 500?”
• New Testament Outreach Bible. Someone asks one of your people who Jesus is, or says they’ve never read the Bible, or says they want to learn more about God. Here’s a lightweight, easy-to-transport edition of the New Testament your member can give to that person. It’s also available in cases of 50.
• It’s Still All About Jesus logo. Download this logo for free. Use it to get the word out about your church’s beliefs regarding the Reformation. You can also use it to help advertise your church’s Reformation celebration later down the road.
• 95 Theses (Pack of 10). Encourage your members to go back to the source of what makes Lutherans distinctly Lutheran. Not only will that help clarify aspects of their own faith, but it will also prepare them for being asked how their faith differs from that of Catholics.

Start involving your people in planning the special event.

So the outreach has gone well, and now your people are empowered to do a special Reformation event. Woo-hoo! Now what?

Use the ideas and talents of your members! Have a wild brainstorm session. Maybe deck out the pastor in sixteenth-century garb and a Luther wig. Decorate the fellowship hall. Have a costume competition. Play Pin the Thesis on the Door. Make the 2017 Reformation Day service just like a regular sixteenth-century church service. Whatever your ideas are, start planning them now to avoid a lot of last-minute stress.

Some resources you can use include the following:

• Faith and Act: The Survival of Medieval Ceremonies in the Lutheran Reformation. Do some research and find out what worship services were like in the old days. Then start thinking about how you can incorporate some of those elements into your service and celebration.
• VBS decorations. Repurpose VBS decorations to set the scene for your party. Have a stone wall backdrop, castle doors and windows, ivy garland, and medieval table covers.
• Smile! God Loves You (Pack of 50). If you’re pairing your Reformation celebration with a fall festival, this tract can be something you pass out with candy.
• Documentary. In 2017, PBS is releasing a documentary about the Reformation. It’s got some amazing-looking reenactments, hairstyles and all. Perhaps you could play this documentary during your celebration and also make it a movie night!

Building up to a big 500th anniversary event will probably be a slow burn in your church. But you can make it happen. For more ideas and free resources, check out LutheranReformation.org. More resources for purchase are also available from CPH.

The post Tips and Resources for Prepping for a Reformation 500 Event appeared first on CPH Blog.

In her new book, Energizing Your Children’s Ministry, author Cynthia Brown shares insights and practical tools for church workers and volunteers who make children’s ministry happen. We caught up with Cynthia to talk about her book and her experiences in children’s ministry.

Why is children’s ministry needed?

So much stuff is thrown at kids and parents today—activities galore, unwholesome cultural influences, pressures to excel, family breakups, put-downs, only to name a few. The church is in a unique position to offer truth and guidance and grounding and hope and community—all found in Jesus! It’s time to get serious about this open door to share the Gospel with families.

Tell us about your experiences in church work or children’s ministry.

Even as a young girl, I loved Jesus and His Church, so becoming a parochial teacher was a natural step. After my children were born, I took a break from the classroom and volunteered like crazy. One thing led to another—Sunday School superintendent to children’s ministry director to DCE to adjunct professor teaching students to lead children’s ministries in their future churches.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given about working with children?

The first thing that comes to mind is so simple: get down on their eye level and show them that you care. Kids know right away if you have that invitational heart of Jesus or if you want to shoo them away like His disciples did.

What is the most important point to keep in mind with children’s ministry?

This is not my ministry – it’s God’s.  He loves the kids even more than I do.  He wants people to step up and serve even more than I do. He wants parents to lead their children spiritually even more than I do. Children’s ministry is a trust walk for leaders as much as it is for the people we serve, parents and their children.

What do you think is a major challenge for children’s ministry these days?

Leadership!  Someone needs to take the initiative and prayerfully explore issues like how a ministry to children and families can grow personal faith, how to equip volunteers, how this ministry can help the overall church to grow God’s kingdom at large, how to partner with parents as primary faith-nurturers of their children, how to think out of the box to meet changing circumstances.

Is there a specific children’s ministry memory you would like to share?

At our former church, we decided to make a significant investment of time and money to renovate our children’s wing.  Upon completion, an adult commented, “I don’t like walking down the hallways; they’re too busy for me.” “YES!” I thought. “Mission accomplished!” We set out to make the bold statement that kids are welcome, and no longer could anyone ignore that message. The colorful hallways reflected our purpose: “To help kids experience God in their lives.” Hidden among the nature scenes are crosses for kids to find and quotes from Jesus such as “I love you” or “I forgive you.” This project became a metaphor for opening up our eyes to see God at work in our own everyday lives (Jeremiah 29:13).

What does this book offer readers? What makes it unique?

Many people in our churches don’t even know what children’s ministry is—“We have Sunday School . . . is that what you’re talking about?” Many well-meaning people take on the role of Sunday School or VBS superintendent but have little training or understanding for how to make intentional ministry decisions that will impact Jesus’ mission in and through their churches. I love that the how-tos in this book flow from a scriptural foundation. This is a condensed practical resource composed of content from my four university classes and written for people working with children all along the spectrum of involvement, from brand-new teacher to experienced leader.

What’s your favorite vacation spot?

Actually there are two and they’re both “up north” in Michigan. My husband and I own a historic one-room schoolhouse in Christmas-tree-growing country near Traverse City, and we love to retreat there whenever we can—which is never enough! And once a year, three generations of us Browns spend a week at Camp Arcadia on Lake Michigan. Just thinking about the fun and renewal we experience in this beautiful place makes me smile and look forward to next summer.

When you aren’t teaching or working with kids, what do you enjoy doing?

I love to be outside and garden, and this time of year I’m grateful for lingering fresh tomatoes, pumpkins to sell with the grandkids, and even flowers that need weeding. I enjoy swimming and often have a suit hanging in the bathroom to dry. Being with family and friends “fills my bucket.” And up at the schoolhouse we love taking walks and simply sitting on the front porch or by the fire with a good book.

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