1 November, 2005
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Emergent-U.S. has announced a new publishing partnership with Abingdon Press. The two organizations are developing a series of books of “Theology for the Emerging Church.” Leading theologians and biblical scholars are currently being contracted to write for the series, the first books of which will be published in early 2007.
“We are thrilled to be working with a publishing house as reputable and theologically astute as Abingdon,” said Tony Jones, the national coordinator of Emergent. Jones, who will also serve as the general editor of the series, added, “The emerging church conversation is deeply and richly theological, and this is a perfect opportunity to provide literary resources for the conversation.”
“Emergent’s emphasis on grace, on blending mind and heart in spiritual life, on theological conversation, on authentic worship, and on social responsibility, justice, and peace presents an opportunity for the wider church to engage in fresh thinking about how to present the Christian faith to postmodern culture,” said John Kutsko, Director of Academic & Professional Books. “Abingdon Press is uniquely situated to help the emerging church broaden its conversation and fulfill its mission.”
The agreement also includes the development of a web site that will act as a portal to some of the most innovative and provocative thinking in the church. With support from The United Methodist Publishing House, of which Abingdon Press is an imprint, the web site will contain theological content, blogs, podcasts, streaming video, and links. The site will go live in 2006.
This is the second publishing partnership for Emergent in 2006; already inked is a deal with Baker Books to develop a line of books for pastors and church leaders.
Contact information
Tony Jones, Emergent-US
Rachel Smith, Abingdon Press, 615-749-6328
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Emergent gathers reflective practitioners and engaged scholars for conversation and missional action around the issues of Christian theology, practice, spirituality, justice and church life. The network developed in the 1990’s and includes a wide range of Christian leaders from progressive evangelical, mainline Protestant and Roman Catholic backgrounds.
Abingdon Press has a distinguished record in religious publishing for a broad ecumenical audience, and specializes in products for church leaders as well as scholars and students engaged in theological education and the practice of ministry. Abingdon Press offers a wide array of quality academic, professional, reference, and devotional titles to enrich the ministries of the church. Hundreds of new titles are published each year and are available directly from Abingdon Press, at Cokesbury Christian Bookstores, online at www.Cokesbury.com, and at your local booksellers. The titles are also distributed through Ingram, Spring Arbor, and Riverside.
