Resources and Publications
Books
Loaded Words by Heather Choate Davis: No one wants to be part of a religion filled with old, hard, mean-sounding words Sin. Hell. Repent. Submit. Judgment. The funny thing is that at the heart of each of these "loaded words" are some of the most beautiful, gracious, life-giving truths that words can convey. Unfortunately, these words have gotten so weighed down with social, cultural and doctrinal baggage that even practicing Christians are hard-pressed to embrace or explain them. That's where Loaded Words comes in. By showing how and why these key faith terms have been misused, abused, and wholly misunderstood—both in the church and in the culture—we can "unload" them, revealing their original language and context, and re-introducing the great mercy, comfort and joy behind the teachings of Jesus. Written in a lively and highly accessible style and illuminated with contemporary aha! moments, Loaded Words opens up the wisdom of 12 foundational Bible words in a whole new way.
Man Turned in on Himself by Heather Choate Davis:The premise of this book is simple: sin is dead. Not the state of sin, of course, but the word itself, and the impact of the word, which, for the better part of human history helped individuals and communities—both pagan and religious—recognize when they were “missing the mark.” Until we can make sin understood again, and begin to restore its rightful place at the breaking point of the human condition, none of the promises of God’s saving love will ring true. Man turned in on himself is a Renaissance-era image of sin that reflects our modern day suffering— anxiety, depression, apathy, loss of purpose and community, our disordered relationship to technology—and calls it by its rightful name. Sin as “scarlet letter” has only pushed people further from grace. May sin as homo incurvatus in se help bring them back.
Sola!: What are we fighting for? by Heather Choate Davis and Leann Luchinger: T.S. Eliot says that, “the life of Protestantism depends on the survival of that against which it protests.” If this is true, then the future of the Church depends on our recognizing what we’re fighting for, what we’re fighting against, who we’re fighting with, and maybe, above all, who we are ignoring while we’re doing all this fighting. By reclaiming the central cry of the Reformation—sola gratia! sola fide! sola scriptura!—we can grow in our shared understanding of "the good fight" of the Gospel in the 21st Century. Six tight chapters, each with its own robust discussion/study guide and answer key. Ideal for small group or all church study.
Joining Jesus: Show Me How by Greg Finke: The way Jesus disciples people is simple and results in unschooled, ordinary followers participating in the mission of the Father and discipling others to do the same. This book will help you regain the clarity and simplicity of how Jesus disciples people in the gospels so that you can disciple your children, friends, neighbors or fellow church members to get up, follow Jesus and join him on his mission, too.
Videos
"The Real LCMS: Strands of DNA from the Movement called "Missouri'"
"Because Lutheran Missions Matters"
"Engage in Mission Work - Pray!" by Rev. Mike Lange
Joining Jesus on His Mission video curriculum
Coming Alongside Those Who Experience Loss
Missional Leadership
Archives
In Mission
September 2018
Archives
CNH Missions Prayers
August 6, 2018
Archives