November 2023 | LISLE, IL—IVP Academic’s Ministers of a New Medium was named the best major publication by the Concordia Historical Institute (CHI) at its fiftieth annual Awards Banquet on November 2. Every year, the CHI Awards Banquet honors scholars from across the nation—even, in some years, across the globe—who are moving Lutheran history forward through their research and publications.
In Ministers of a New Medium: Broadcasting Theology in the Radio Ministries of Fulton J. Sheen and Walter A. Maier Kirk D. Farney explores the work of two groundbreaking leaders in religious broadcasting: Fulton J. Sheen and Walter A. Maier. These clergymen and professors—one a Catholic priest, the other a Lutheran minister—each led the way in combining substantive theology and emerging technology to spread the gospel over the airwaves. Through weekly nationwide broadcasts, Maier’s The Lutheran Hour and Sheen’s Catholic Hour attracted listeners across a spectrum of denominational and religious affiliations, establishing their hosts—and Christian radio itself—as cultural and religious forces to be reckoned with.
Farney examines how Sheen and Maier used their exceptional erudition, their sensitivity to the times, their powerful communication skills, and their unwavering Christian conviction, all for the purpose of calling the souls of listeners and the soul of a nation to repentance and godliness. Their combination of talents also brought their respective denominations, Roman Catholicism and Missouri Synod Lutheranism, from the periphery of the American religious landscape to a much greater level of recognition and acceptance. With careful attention to both the theological content and the cultural influence of these masters of a new medium, Farney’s study sheds new light on the history of media and Christianity in the United States.
“This dual biography offers compelling portraits of Fulton J. Sheen and Walter A. Maier, each of whom had a rare ability to both cultivate and communicate theological insights,” said Kathleen Sprows Cummings, director of the Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism, University of Notre Dame. “Pairing these media sensations—one Catholic, one Lutheran—allows Farney to tell a story about religion and radio in American culture that is even broader and more interesting than the sum of its parts. In an age when many lament the corrosive effect of new media on faith and morals, the efforts of Sheen and Maier to harness emerging technologies in service of their respective faith traditions offer not only an interesting story about America’s past but also a measure of hope for its future.”
Concordia Historical Institute (CHI) is the Department of Archives and History for the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. CHI exists to trumpet the treasures of the Lutheran legacy. In addition to its activities as an active archive open to the public for research, CHI also seeks to increase the awareness and appreciation of the church’s history within the LCMS through maintaining two museum exhibits, recognizing major publications on Lutheran history, and sharing the story of the LCMS and her faith with the world.
For a complete list of IVP award winners, visit www.ivpress.com/award-winners.
Contact: Krista Clayton, kclayton@ivpress.com
November 17, 2023, WHEATON, Ill.—Crossway is pleased to announce that eleven cover designs were awarded an ECPA Top Shelf Book Cover Award for design excellence at the ECPA PubU Online event on November 10, 2023.
EUGENE, OR, November 2023 —H. Norman Wright had a truly extraordinary gift for blessing and encouraging everyone who met him in person and through the written page. As one of Harvest House Publishers’ longest-serving authors and dearest friends, he has had a special place in our hearts—so it is with great sadness that we mourn over the news that he has entered our Savior’s presence on November 12, 2023.
November 18, 2023 — The first volume of J.R.R. Tolkien’s masterpiece The Lord of the Rings trilogy was published in 1954, with two additional books released in quick succession within 14 months. In its pages are many mythical, magical characters and intriguing twists and turns in Middle Earth. But no character stands out more than the bearded, hat-wearing protagonist Gandalf.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (November 13, 2023) — Forefront Books, a Nashville-based independent book publisher, announces a three-book deal with New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury. The first book is slated to be released in early 2025.
Nashville, TN (November 20, 2023) – Rabbit Room Press announces that Every Moment Holy, Vol. III: The Work of the People has debuted at #10 on the Publishers Weekly Hardcover Frontlist Nonfiction bestseller list (week of November 11). This is the first time an Every Moment Holy volume has appeared on a Publishers Weekly bestseller list. The new volume has also taken the #1 spot for its Amazon category. Every Moment Holy is the top-selling series for Rabbit Room Press with more than 350,000 copies sold; total sales are expected to top 400,000 by year-end.
November 6, 2023 (COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado) – Esther Press, David C Cook’s imprint for women’s books, Bible studies, and devotionals, announced this week an all new conference for women of all ages called est.HER. The three-day event will take place April 11-13, 2024, in Spring Hill, Tennessee, just south of Nashville.
Esther Press is an imprint of David C Cook. Learn more at
November 7, 2023 (COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado) – Based on Season 1 of the hit television series and the largest crowd-funded media project of all time, The Chosen, David C Cook released today the first graphic novel adaptation of the powerful story of the life of Jesus and his followers, The Chosen: Volume 1, Called by Name.
November 8, 2023 — Today, HarperCollins Christian Publishing announced the promotion of Kristi Smith to vice president of marketing for Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Gift Book imprints. Smith joined the company 24 years ago, and throughout her tenure has been integral to the marketing strategy of some of the company’s top titles. Smith served as marketing director for W Publishing before joining Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Gift Books as senior marketing director in 2019. In this role she has worked with leading authors including Max Lucado, Emily Ley, Dr. David Jeremiah, Sadie Robertson Huff, Liz Marie Galvan, and many more.
Carol Stream, IL (November 8, 2023) — Tyndale House Publishers (@tyndalehouse) will release Praying with Saint Patrick: Prayers and Devotions Inspired by the Irish Hero of the Faith by Aaron Burns and Matt Mikalatos on February 6, 2024. Created for anyone who is fascinated by Ireland, the heroes of the faith, or prayer, Praying with Saint Patrick will equip readers to draw deeper into conversation with God. Just as Patrick experienced God’s presence through prayer as he took risks to serve others—including women, slaves, and the poor—and through a period of intense prayer during his own enslavement, readers will be invited to experience God’s presence in a powerful and vibrant way.




