Need some weekend listening? We have a new episode of The ERB Podcast for you, all about congregational formation and why it matters for the church in our current moment! Find it at our website or wherever you listen to podcasts!

This week's FEATURED REVIEW: Remissioning Church: A Field Guide to Bringing a Congregation Back to Life by Josh Hayden, published by IVP in partnership with Missio Alliance. Read the review: buff.ly/3T0rIlO

A wee reminder of what the story of Jesus is all about:

I deeply grieve the evangelism of white christian nationalism which draws its converts into a kingdom of domination, fear, and enemy-making. May the gospel we proclaim alert our neighbors to Jesus' kingdom of grace, justice, and peace.

Thrilled to see Where Is God? by Stan Chu Ilo featured in the Englewood Review of Books! 🌍🙏 A profound exploration of God’s presence in our world today. 📖 orbisbooks.com/products/whe... #WhereIsGod #StanChuIlo @erbks.bsky.social #stanchuilo

NEW REVIEW: Saving Face by Aimee Byrd, published by Zondervan Reviewed by Ann Byle buff.ly/QYpCUnB

So many great new releases this week, including many we didn't have room for, but we've pulled out a handful we hope will be especially interesting to you! Learn more about each title: buff.ly/LoJ70ir

Today we remember bell hooks, born on September 24, 1952--

A MORNING PRAYER: Incarnate God, Word made Flesh: Use my mouth, I pray, To speak a word of hope to those who despair this day. In your name. Amen. (“Prayers for the Pilgrimage” via @ivpress.bsky.social)

NEW REVIEW of the latest novel from Fredrik Backman: buff.ly/3ncXduO published by @atriabooks.bsky.social

This week's STARRED new release is Slow Theology: Eight Practices for Resilient Faith in a Turbulent World by @nijaykgupta.bsky.social and A.J. Swoboda, published by @brazospress.bsky.social buff.ly/LoJ70ir

Ten new theology books to watch for: buff.ly/jgSl6Oh

Our friends at Missio Alliance are launching a new series called "Letters to the Church," and I'm looking forward to reading along! Check it out: www.missioalliance.org/letters-to-t...

Happy birthday to Barbara Brown Taylor, whose work in the world we are so grateful for!

So many great new releases this week--memoirs, novels, history, and more. Check out the titles we're highlighting: buff.ly/qfAKxm0

This week marks the anniversary of the death of George MacDonald, a noted 19th century poet, novelist, and pastor. He had significant influence on C.S. Lewis and others. Here are 3 of his poems: buff.ly/3Ggitdj

Starting something new in October: monthly book discussions! Learn more about the format and October's book: buff.ly/MafSgmT We hope you'll join us!!

This week's STARRED new release is Rebecca Sue: A Sister’s Reflections on Disability, Faith, and Love by Kathleen Norris. buff.ly/i653HPI

Several new book reviews publishing on the site this week! Here's the first, of *Tending the Garden: A History of Christian Mysticism* by Jennifer Hornyak Wojciechowski buff.ly/IpZu2uY

This week's Lectionary Poetry is ready for you! This Sunday is the fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost, and the scripture passages include selections from Genesis, Jeremiah, Amos, 1 Timothy, and Luke. buff.ly/3ju5qgJ

"Even in a world that's being shipwrecked, remain brave and strong." Needed encouragement from St. Hildegard of Bingen, whose feast day is celebrated today

Grateful to Jon Sweeney for this review of The Virtue of Dialogue, part of our Cultivating Communities Series. buff.ly/skAmOKI @jonmsweeney.bsky.social

From NPR: Happy 75th birthday to Henry Huggins! buff.ly/hbB3cEM

The National Book Award longlist has been announced... anything you've read or anything standing out to you?

✨ Excited to see The Theology of Flourishing by Paul J. Schutz reviewed in the Englewood Review of Books! 🌱 Read the review 👉 englewoodreview.org/paul-schutz-... Get the book 👉 orbisbooks.com/products/cre... #TheologyOfFlourishing #OrbisBooks @erbks.bsky.social

Today is the anniversary of the death of poet Robert Lowell, who won the National Book Award and the Pulitzer during his career. Here are five of his poems to enjoy today: buff.ly/p8Mz5T0

Today marks the birthday of Mary Oliver, one of America's most beloved poets. Here is our guide to her work: buff.ly/MktGFkK

This week's lectionary poetry is ready for you: buff.ly/AuFUFT2 This coming Sunday is the fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, in the season of Ordinary Time.

Amen!!!

From our friends at Missio Alliance: a free websinar on 9/18 Sharing Power: The Antidote to Domineering Leadership Register here: buff.ly/MZhWdd9

NEW REVIEW: John Hawthorne reviews the newest title from Beverly Daniel Tatum Peril and Promise: College Leadership in Turbulent Times @jwhawthorne.bsky.social @bdtauthor.bsky.social

Today is the anniversary of the death of the great novelist and spiritual writer, Madeleine L'Engle. Here are 5 books on her life and work that we recommend: buff.ly/ET7jnt3

"...as my mother’s life shows, the small and the powerful are not opposites." Nathalie Babbitt's daughter, Lucy, on the legacy of Tuck Everlasting: buff.ly/ktHHbBg It's the 50th Anniversary of that book's publication!

The National Book Festival is happening this weekend! You can livestream the opening session and some of the main stage events: buff.ly/bETxHkq

FEATURED REVIEW: We're happy to share this review of Mitali Perkins' nonfiction title, Just Making: A Guide for Compassionate Creatives @broadleafbooks.bsky.social buff.ly/ejV4384

Available for pre-order wherever books are sold!

“The openness of our hearts and minds can be measured by how wide we draw the circle of what we call family.” --remembering Mother Teresa on the anniversary of her death

Check out the trailer and synopsis of a new memoir: Singing Through Fire by Lara Silverman buff.ly/BvjPJpd (sponsored content)

NEW RELEASES: A great batch for you this week including new poems from Kevin Young, a brand new devotional for these times, and a new collection of essays from a Pulitzer winner. Check them out:

New Mary Oliver publishing next week. Here’s my review. www.spiritualityandpractice.com/book-reviews...

To care is the most human of all human gestures. It is a gesture that comes forth from our common need for one another and the grace of compassion that binds us together. - Henri J. M. Nouwen

If you're clergy, I'd love to hear about the discussions you're having regarding safety at worship. There's a lot of conversation going on. But my white Christian clergy friends don't seem to be worrying in the same way that my African-American, Jewish, and Muslim friends are.

"Ten Theology Books to Watch For – August 2025" Thank you, @erbks.bsky.social, for including #Earthbound @orbisbooks.bsky.social englewoodreview.org/ten-theology...

Today marks the birthday of theologian and author Dallas Willard, born in 1935. Here's our guide to 7 of his essential titles: buff.ly/Knami5c

"In the kingdom of God, the way home doesn’t require a license, a bank account or a car; it requires only that we build our communities with care." buff.ly/hRxZrJc

"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." --from The Hobbit by Tolkien, who passed away on this day in 1973

10 new theology books to put on your radar: buff.ly/KG13WjJ

NEW featured review of Craig Thompson's newest graphic memoir: buff.ly/lNjDHqq

Happy birthday to the poet Christian Wiman! Enjoy these videos of him reading a few of his poems: buff.ly/KQ0SU5t

NEW REVIEW up on our website today, of Dr. Andrew J. Bauman's book, Safe Church: How to Guard Against Sexism and Abuse in Christian Communities. buff.ly/U6YoP8b