One of the Episcopal Church’s best-known teachers and theologians, Richard A. Norris, over the course of his life gave much thought to the character of the church and its leaders — bishops, priests, deacons, and laity; the “all believers” of the title. Norris created elegant, relaxed essays about the church for many different groups of people, from conventiongoers to seminarians to lay people discerning their baptismal ministry. As a scholar, he also contributed an impressive breadth of academic books and articles, a small representative sample of which can be found in the bibliography at the conclusion of this new compilation.

Revisiting the major themes of Norris, this new book examines the diverse forms of church leadership, whether it is the elected office or, as it is for most of us, leading by example (what Norris called “holy living”). This book also explores essential questions of church leadership, including  'What is the church for?', 'How do the current roles and models of the church’s leaders end up defining (for better or worse) what the church is?', and 'What is the relationship between power and authority in the church?'

Richard A. Norris, who died in 2005, was an exceptional theologian, preacher, and teacher. He taught at Philadelphia Divinity School, the General Theological Seminary, Union Theological Seminary, Yale Divinity School, and the Roman Catholic Seminary of the Immaculate Conception. He also served for fourteen years on the editorial board of the journal, Church History.

Editor Timothy F. Sedgwick is dean for academic affairs and professor of ethics at Virginia Theological Seminary, serves on the steering committee of the College for Bishops, and has written several books on ethics, preaching, and sacramental theology.

For Immediate Release November 11, 2009
Contact: Bill Falvey, 917-373-8510, wfalvey@cpg.org
Church Publishing, 445 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016

What is The Business of All Believers?

Seabury Releases Norris Collection on Leadership

(New York, NY) – What is the church for?  What is the relationship between power and authority in the church?  How do the current roles and models of the church’s leaders end up defining (for better or worse) what the church is? 

Richard A. Norris, the late and acclaimed Anglican theologian, gave much thought to the role and character of the church and its leaders - bishops, priests, deacons, and laity. In relaxed, elegant essays, Norris wrote clearly and compellingly on leadership, finding his platform in the New Testament and in the work of theologians of the early church, a tradition in which he excelled.

Now in cooperation with Seabury Books, Dr. Timothy Sedgwick, a professor of ethics at Virginia Theological Seminary, has assembled, edited, and published a significant collection of these essays on church leadership, designed to provide an ecumenical perspective and appreciation of a gifted believer’s life work: 

The Business of All Believers: Reflections on Leadership

Timothy F. Sedgwick, Editor  ISBN: 978-1-59627-119-7  Paper  144 pgs  $16.00 

**Review copies, interviews, and excerpts available on request.**

Revisiting the major themes of Norris, this new book examines the diverse forms of church leadership, whether it is to elected office or, as it is for most of us, leading by example – or what Norris called “holy living.”  These essays speak directly to Episcopal, Roman Catholic, and other mainline Protestant church leaders; plus professors and students in seminaries, divinity schools, and church-based theology and leadership programs. Sedgwick also provides a select bibliography at the conclusion, highlighting a sample of works from the impressive breadth of academic books and articles written by Norris throughout his career.

Richard A. Norris, who died in 2005, was an exceptional theologian, preacher, and teacher. He taught at Philadelphia Divinity School, The General Theological Seminary, Union Theological Seminary, Yale Divinity School, and the Roman Catholic Seminary of the Immaculate Conception. In addition to advising bishops, clergy, deacons, and leaders throughout the church, he was an active member of the North American Patristic Society, the American Society of Church History, and the American Theological Society. He also served for fourteen years on the editorial board of the journal, Church History.

Editor Timothy Sedgwick is Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Ethics at Virginia Theological Seminary, serves on the steering committee of the College for Bishops, and has written several books on ethics, preaching, and sacramental theology.

The new book can be ordered through any Episcopal, religious, or secular bookstore; through any online bookseller, or direct from the publisher by calling 800-242-1918 or by visiting www.churchpublishing.org.

Founded in 1918 and headquartered in New York City, CPI is the publisher of official worship materials, books, and music for the Episcopal Church, plus a multi-faceted publisher and supplier to the broader ecumenical marketplace. Publishing imprints include Church Publishing, Morehouse Publishing, and Seabury Books. Additional CPI divisions include Morehouse Church Supplies, a provider of church supplies, ecclesiastical furnishings, and vestments, located in Harrisburg, PA; and Morehouse Education Resources, which produces lectionary-based curriculum, faith formation programs, plus e-publishing resources and services, in Denver, CO.

Tear sheets and/or advance notice of publication is encouraged and appreciated.