Transforming Church

Reclaiming the "L" Word: renewing the church from its Lutheran core

Kelly Fryer's book is not exactly a how-to book. It is a chronicle of one congregation's struggle to meet the One who died for all of us and to respond with gratitude. She asserts that getting back to core Lutheran theology and principles reveals that many of our practices are "ancillary," and that anything that helps people to meet the God who seeks them is okay. In the end, her story is not so much about "transformation" as it is "regeneration."

The simple list of the Five Guiding Principles adopted by Cross of Glory Lutheran Church (they're copyrighted!) begin with "Jesus is Lord" and end with "The world needs what we have." Particularly helpful for group study, with its experiential tone and exercises at the end of every chapter, RECLAIMING THE "L" WORD is also a promoter of individual development of the early Christian mission.

Many Lutherans have a difficult time with sources that come from other denominations and traditions. This book helps broaden the resources available from within the Lutheran community to spark renewal. Thanks to Diana Revell for writing this review for us. We welcome and encourage our visitors to send us their suggestions for our toolbox-editor.