Book: A simplified guide to worshipping as Lutherans

A simplified guide to worshipping as Lutherans is prepared for lay people, congregational leaders, pastors, church musicians, worship leaders, and worship committees. It provides an answer for those who are asking the question: What does it mean to worship as a Lutheran in the twenty-first century?
Written in and for 2009 James Waddel aims to provide lay people and pastors with a clear and understandable presentation of Lutheran theology for Lutheran worship, especially amongst the range of differing and confusing opinions.    
James also aims to help those involved in contemporary Lutheran worship by providing positive direction and equip worship leaders and pastors with concrete practical tools to evaluate contemporary worship forms.  

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: A Pastor’s Story
Chapter 2: The State of the Conversation about Worship Today
Chapter 3: What Is Worship?
Chapter 4: Lutheran Assumptions about Worship
Chapter 5: More about Assumptions and Methodology
Chapter 6: Worship As Adiaphora
Chapter 7: Worship As Confession
Chapter 8: Lutheran Theology for Lutheran Worship
Chapter 9: Worship and Culture
Conclusion
Appendix 1: An Outline for Worshiping As Lutherans
Appendix 2: A Tool to Evaluate Songs for Worshiping As Lutherans

Book: Myth of the Millennial: Connecting generations to the Church

It’s no secret that Millennials are the least-churched generation in our nation’s history—and that they continue to leave the church in droves. And, sure, people in generations before did the same, but the problem today is that Millennials aren’t coming back.

In Myth of the Millennial, authors Rev. Ted and Chelsey Doering, Millennials themselves, invite you to connect with the Millennial generation—their generation, their peers. It’s simpler than you might think. And don’t worry, they won’t prescribe expensive building renovations or a new wardrobe for your pastor.

They do, however, explore common Millennial stereotypes in the hopes of helping other generations better understand this lost generation. They also offer ideas on how to build strong intergenerational relationships to better equip Boomers and Gen Xers to engage a generation that is generally apathetic and disinterested in the church. Because, ultimately, all this talk about Millennials and generations is not about upping church attendance for the sake of numbers—it’s about one generation leading another to Christ.

What others are saying

“Loaded with the down-to-earth wit of authors who take the Gospel seriously and themselves lightly.”
—Rev. Matt Popovits, Pastor, of Our Saviour New York; Author of Tough Call: A Little Book on Making Big Decisions

“Explor[es] the Millennial generation without falling into over-generalizations or negative comparisons to previous generations.”
—Chris Paavola, Pastor of All Nations Church in University City, MO

“Ted and Chelsey write with a brave energy and a witty vitality.”
—Pastor Mark Hunsaker, Praise & Worship Lutheran Church, Branson, MO

“Engaging, humorous, solidly Biblical, Sacramental, refreshing, and insightful. I could not put it down.”
—Pastor Allan R. Buss, Senior Pastor, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Belvidere, IL

“Ted and Chelsey Doering help mend the generation gap with stories, questions, insight, honesty, and some sass. ”
—Michael W. Newman, Author of Hope When Your Heart Breaks: Navigating Grief and Loss and The Life You Crave: It’s All About Grace

“With humor and sincerity, Ted and Chelsey move us beyond stereotypes, allowing us to return to the hearts of actual people and their deep need for the Gospel. ”

—Brian West, Pastor for NextGeneration, Trinity Lutheran Church, Clinton Township, MI

Book: The Honeycomb Scroll: Philipp Melanchthon at the Dawn of the Reformation

Long overshadowed by Luther and Calvin, Philipp Melanchthon (1497–1560) is one of the most important figures in the Protestant Reformation and had profound effect on Western church history. This book gives the most detailed English-language biographical treatment of Melanchthon to date, moving from his historical context and personal origins, through his childhood, education, and early career at Wittenberg during the dramatic events at the dawn of the Reformation (1497–1524).

Establishing the deep geopolitical and religious context of Melanchthon's early life, the volume then follows Melanchthon to the great halls of humanist learning at Heidelberg and Tubingen, where his studies and teaching career began and his faith was richly fostered. The pivotal moment comes in his appointment to the chair of Greek in Wittenberg where Melanchthon became a great ally and supporter of Martin Luther. Melanchthon's role as key player in the advocacy for reform expanded through his involvement in the Leipzig Disputation, his visible representation of the evangelical cause in Wittenberg during Luther's absence at Worms and the Wartburg, and his struggle with the radical wing. The volume closes by looking ahead to Melanchthon's contribution to the Augsburg Confession of 1530.

Contents
Wars and Rumors of Wars 
The Armorer  1459–1493
A Bride from Bretten  1493–1508
The Passing of the Age  1493–1508
A Time to Mourn  1493–1508
Pforzheim 1508–1509
Heidelberg  1509–1512
Tübingen  1512–1518
Wittenberg  1518–1519
All In. The Wittenberg Movement  1519–1520
Wedding Bells and Papal Bulls  1520–1521
Taking a Stand  1521
Bounding the Fire  1521–1522
Old Testament Dreams 1522
Homecoming 1522–1524

Book: Martin Luther's theology of beauty

Many contemporary theologians seek to retrieve the concept of beauty as a way for people to encounter God. This groundbreaking book argues that while Martin Luther's view of beauty has often been ignored or underappreciated, it has much to contribute to that quest. Mark Mattes, one of today's leading Lutheran theologians, analyzes Luther's theological aesthetics and discusses its implications for music, art, and the contemplative life. Mattes shows that for Luther, the cross is the lens through which the beauty of God is refracted into the world.

Contents 
Luther's view of philosphy
Luther's view on goodness
The early Luther on beauty
The later Luther on beauty
Luther on the theology and beauty of music
Luther on visual imaging
Luther and Nouvelle Theologie
Luther for a contemporary theology of beauty

Video: The Story of Martin Luther playmobil animation

The story of Martin Luther - Playmobil animation