Over the past almost 7 years (I can’t believe I will celebrate my 7th anniversary with AF in September!), as I have chatted with congregational leaders, I have listened for “themes” regarding the types of resources you want AF to publish. When we hear similar requests from a number of different leaders in different contexts, it is a pretty good indication that there is a need for something new and different!

How has this manifested itself in our publishing over the past several years?

#1 request: confirmation resources. Check! We created Herewestandconfirmation.org

#2 request: Lutheran worship planning resources. Check! We created Sundaysandseasons.com

#3 request: Small resources that are topical around various issues looked at from a Lutheran theological perspective. Resources that can be read by individuals or used in small groups or congregational book clubs. Check! We created the 45 volume Lutheran Voices series!

#4 request: Resources to assist adults understand Scripture from a Lutheran theological perspective. Check! We published Lutheran Study Bible in March and are publishing an array of adult Bible study resources in support of the Book of Faith Initiative of the ELCA and the ELCIC!

#5 request: A Bible-centered Sunday School curriculum for children. Check! Spark Sunday School with the accompanying Spark Bibles (that are also being purchased by congregations and grandparents as gifts for children) are getting rave reviews!

#6 request: Updated sacramental resources for teaching people of all ages (children, youth & adults) about holy communion and baptism. Ok…not quite a full check…half of a check for now! I am delighted to announce that Fed and Forgiven, our new communion education resource will be published on July 15! And, the baptismal education resource is in the works…more on that below! But first, the holy communion resource. You can find detailed information and see samples of both the print and DVD resources on our new website, launched today! Fedandforgiven.com Enjoy!

Fed and Forgiven provides congregations with resources that will help people of all ages deepen their understanding of and love for the gift of holy communion. Whether you are leading children, youth, or adults who are preparing to receive the sacrament for the first time, or helping people of any age to deepen their encounter with this gift, Fed and Forgiven can help.

Back to the information re: the forthcoming baptismal education resource. Suzanne Burke, Sr. Editor for Worship & Music resources, is looking for survey and advisory panel participants to assist with the shaping of the forthcoming baptismal education resource. So, if you are interested in being considered to assist in this way, please send her an email expressing your interest and share with her a bit of your background, expertise and demographics (clergy? lay? male? female? geographic location? congregation? etc.)

Thanks for sharing with my colleagues and me your “wish lists” for congregational resources. Your advice and counsel helps us prioritize our creative publishing ministry efforts to serve your ministries!

Blessings,
Beth

http://twitter.com/bethalewis

Beth A. Lewis, President & CEO
Augsburg Fortress

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 25th, 2009 at 2:36 PM and is filed under Congregational Hospitality, Faith & Life: Random Thoughts, Faith Formation Resources, New AF Resources. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.