Title: LutherLink Book Discussions Begin in July

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

June 20, 2003

LUTHERLINK BOOK DISCUSSIONS BEGIN IN JULY
03-134-JAC*

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In a cooperative project of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Department for Communication and
Augsburg Fortress, the publishing house of the ELCA, LutherLink members
will begin holding online book discussions in July.
     LutherLink, an online network maintained by the ELCA, is part of
Ecunet, a faith-based online community with over 20,000 members, said
Paul Edison-Swift, director, interactive media and networks, ELCA
Department for Communication.
     The first online book discussion will focus on "Executive Values:
A Christian Approach to Organizational Leadership" by Kurt Senske.
According to a message posted on the LutherLink Web site, the book
provides a guide to moral Christian leadership within a variety of
settings.  Senske is president and CEO of Lutheran Social Services of
the South, Austin, Texas.
     In light of recent corporate scandals, this book is highly
appropriate, Edison-Swift said.  "People have not forgotten Enron and
other companies, including nonprofits, that have had ethical issues," he
said.
     As an author Senske is interested in both the subject and the
discussion on the book, Edison-Swift said.  "He's very committed to the
topic, very sincere," he said.  "The author is crucial to a successful
discussion."
     The books chosen for the LutherLink book discussions are published
by Minneapolis-based Augsburg Fortress.  "I am just thrilled about the
Augsburg Fortress titles that are coming forward," Edison-Swift said.
     Bob Todd, publicist for Augsburg Fortress, said many of thei
authors chosen for the discussions are part of the "Lutheran Voices"
series, a series of as many as 10 volumes on core Lutheran values and
traditions.  Though Senske is not part of the "Lutheran Voices" series,
Todd said Senske is a dedicated Lutheran author whose book has been well
received.  "We wanted something for the general reader, not too
academic, not for a child," Todd said.
     Todd added that he hopes this book, as well as those to follow,
will be a way for a variety of people within the church to communicate
about important issues.
     To participate in the discussions, it is necessary to be either a
full member of LutherLink or a "lite" member.  Full members pay a yearly
fee and can join in any number of Ecunet discussion groups.  "Lite"
memberships are free but the members are then limited to participation
in three discussion groups.  Full members are also able to create their
own discussion groups.
     Currently there are about 5,000 LutherLink members, consisting
mainly of clergy, church workers and highly active lay members, Edison-
Swift said.
     In September the discussion book will be "Reclaiming the 'L' Word"
by Kelly Fryer, followed by "Let the Servant Church Arise!" by Barbara
DeGrote-Sorensen and David Sorensen in October and "Give Us This Day: A
Lutheran Proposal for Ending World Hunger" by Craig Nessan in November.
     The books chosen for discussion are available online and are
usually shipped within 24 hours of purchase, according to the Augsburg
Fortress Web site.  More information about LutherLink can be found at
www.lutherlink.org on the Web.
-- -- --
     An audio introduction to "Executive Values" by Kurt Senske is
available at http://media.elca.org/ramgen/audionews/030529.rm in a Real
Media format.
     Augsburg Fortress maintains a site at
http://www.augsburgfortress.org on the Web.

*Jessica A. Crane is completing her bachelor of arts degree at Concordia
College, Moorhead, Minn.  This summer she is an intern with ELCA News
and Media production.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html