Shameless Self-Promotion

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Presenting at Best Practices Ministry 2026

I’m pleased to announce that I will be presenting a breakout session at Best Practices Ministry 2026, “A free conference to encourage ministry support workers as we reach out with the gospel of Christ,” hosted by Christ Church Lutheran in Phoenix, Arizona, February 12 – 14, 2026. As described on the website,

For over 10 years we have offered this FREE conference to remind professional and lay church workers that you are loved, you are not alone, and you matter. And when we say free, we truly mean that: free meals, free shuttling, free speakers, free snacks, free activities, free registration.

My session is titled “Searching the Scriptures, Discovering Jesus: Small group Scripture reflection tools for both seekers and disciples.” Click here to register for the conference and find more information about BPM.

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50% off Journey to Jesus from Our Publisher!

Our publisher, Wipf and Stock, is offering this amazing deal on ALL their books, including Journey to Jesus!

Our annual AAR/SBL Conference Sale is underway!

All Wipf and Stock titles are 50% off through November 30.

Yes, half price! 

Use code CONFSHIP at checkout.  
If you select Media Mail, shipping is free.

This is the perfect time for people in your network—students, colleagues, or church members—to grab a copy.

Click here to order!

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Professor Schuler in the Library with the Book

I’m so grateful to Concordia University, St. Paul for hosting this book event (yes, in the library) on October 7, 2025. And it was very affirming to have friends from our church and CSP colleagues from over the years attend the event. It was a chance for me to thank publicly many people who contributed in a variety of ways to the birthing of Journey to Jesus and to share a bit about the contents of the book. The Q & A time after my remarks was full of interesting, thoughtful questions.

A special shout out to the Department of Theology and Ministry, especially Dr. Mark Koschmann, VP of Faith and Ministry, and DCE Kristi Bauer, staff for Church Relations at CSP. They did all the arranging for the event, and Kristi took all the photos here.

And yes, I was once again signing books afterwards! Thanks be to God for the interest in the book.

My friend and liturgy scholar, Thomas Schattauer came!
Book signing for Mark, a member of our congregation, St. Peter’s.
Book signing for friend and colleague Suzanne Hequet.
Scot and me 2.

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Book Event: A Warm Welcome from St. John Lutheran Church, Wheaton, IL

On Holy Cross Day (Sunday, September 14) I was warmly welcomed by pastors and members, and visitors of St. John Lutheran Church, which was one of our four “case study” congregations. Invited in 2019 to be part of the study because of a strong adult faith formation process introduced by the Rev. Dr. Scott Bruzek (pictured with me in the banner photo) and refined by him over 20 years, Pastor Bruzek said YES to the invitation because of connection between us dating back to the 1980s (photo, right).

I was delighted to see Val Gaede (photo, left), a Lutheran classroom teacher who served her entire ministry at St. John, her first call upon graduation from Concordia, Seward. Our interview was invaluable for understanding some of St. John’s history; and it was great fun to get to know this fellow church worker, hearing about her varied ministry roles at St. John over four decades. From my interview with Val, I heard her perspective on training the new catechumens, who help with the stripping of the altar on Maundy Thursday. She begins her instruction by reminding the catechumens that the ritual is “all about Jesus.”

The word “love” permeated many of my interviews, a clear indication that Pastor Bruzek’s statement, “At St. John, love is the primary virtue,” is truly part of the congregation’s ethos.  Like many of the people I interviewed, I was welcomed on this day and, as I signed books and chatted with folks, I heard over and over that St. John is a “special” congregation.

Pastor Bruzek had suggested I bring 20 copies of the book to sell; in a moment of optimism, I packed 2 boxes with a total of 45 books. We brought one box into the church to start, and my marketing assistant (and beloved husband) Mark had to return to car for the second box after the 8:30 service. Before the 11:00 service—well the photo says it all!

With thanks to …

  • Pastor Bruzek, for working on the logistics and publicity for the day and for preaching a great sermon;
  • Pastors Nelson and Ferguson, for their warm greetings;
  • John Crowe, parish administrator, for having our table set up in a prime location and who assisted with the set up;
  • Val Gaede, for her kind words about the book; and
  • Derek and Mary, a couple I interviewed in 2019, for their welcoming hugs.
  • God, for the gift of St. John Lutheran Church!

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Congratulations to Fr. Paul Turner, named Author of the Year by Catholic Media Association

The annoucement from Liturgical Press states,

Paul Turner is pastor of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas City, Missouri, and director of the Office of Divine Worship for the Diocese of Kansas City–St. Joseph. He holds a doctorate in sacred theology from Sant’Anselmo in Rome.

Turner is the author of numerous books published by Liturgical Press and a contributor to Give Us This Day. Most recently, he is the recipient of four awards from the 2025 Catholic Media Association Book Awards, including First Place for Author of the Year.

My co-author Kent and I are blessed that this distinguished author and scholar was kind enough to read an early copy of our manuscript and provide one of the “book blurbs” on the back cover of Journey to Jesus. Paul wrote,

With firsthand experience of privileged accompaniment that church leaders offer individuals exploring faith, the authors provide a clear, engaging guide through the spheres of evangelization, catechesis, and worship. Roman Catholics like me who engage in similar ministry will find much to inspect, ponder, and celebrate while reading about newfound faith through a Lutheran lens.

Congratulations, Paul, on the Author of the Year Award from Catholic Media Association, and thank you for your support of our work on adult faith formation.

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Print Copies Now in This Author’s Hand

Friday, June 13th was a fortuitous day at the Schuler home. From electronic proofs to a tangible book is a huge step! On Sunday I asked my 11-year old friend Ellie to give a reading from the introduction to the book. I will be having parties in the backyard all summer to celebrate with friends (and peddle the book at a “family and friends” discount).