September 14, 2004

MINNEAPOLIS - In the ten short chapters of Called by God To Serve: Reflections for Church Leaders Rev. Robert F. Holley and Rev. Paul E. Walters take readers on a great journey-from the hot desert sands of Mount Sinai, to the shores of Galilee, through the belly of the great fish, to the first days of the church after the day of Pentecost, to the garden of the resurrection, and back to the early church.

Church councils and leadership groups will discover ten helpful devotional reflections and discussion starters for a three-year cycle, focusing on the task of serving from a biblical and theological perspective. Insights from family systems theory provide a framework for the reflections. Through discussion of theory and by encountering and responding to real-life situations, participants will ponder aspects of what they are called to do together. "Based on the useful insights and strategies of systems theory, these devotional meditations are for parishes, leadership groups, and individuals everywhere in North America. The focus is faithful mission. Examples from Scripture and parish life are revealing and appropriate. Reflection questions are stimulating and helpful. The authors have so evidently been grasped by Jesus, so deeply love the church, and so urgently care about the world that they draw others to Jesus in the church for the world." -Walter R. Bouman, Edward C. Fendt Emeritus Professor of Systematic Theology, Trinity Lutheran Seminary

"I believe that pastors and congregations will find Called by God to Serve a most helpful study and devotional guide for their council time together. Over the past two and a half years, these two pastors have led dozens of Healthy Congregation workshops. For a three-year cycle of meetings they now share what they have learned through Healthy Congregations and set them within the framework of the duties and visioning of congregational leaders. I believe this is an excellent resource." - Bishop James F. Mauney, Virginia Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Robert F. Holley is Pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, Staunton, Virginia. Paul E. Walters is Pastor of St. Peter Lutheran Church, Churchville, Virginia. Both are trained "Healthy Congregation" facilitators and "Bridge Builder" consultants.

Called by God to Serve is part of the new Lutheran Voices series from Augsburg Fortress that brings fresh new messages that inform, teach, inspire, and renew. Grounded in Lutheran theology and practice, the books cover a wide range of subjects and themes of interest to ELCA members and the wider Christian community. To learn more about this exciting new series please visit http://www.lutheranvoices.com/.

To order Called by God to Serve please call Augsburg Fortress at 1-800-328-4648 or visit the web site at http://www.augsburgfortress.com/.