Finding Our Balance

"It is to be hoped that the voice of Ron Byars will be widely heard today in mainstream American Protestantism. Here is an important argument for the much-needed authority of a nuanced orthodoxy, for the recovery of word and sacrament at the heart of the life of our churches, for bath, book, meal, and attentiveness to the poor as the unobscured central agenda of our Sunday meetings. If you are thinking about the identity and faithfulness of your own congregation, take and read!"

--Gordon W. Lathrop, Past-President, Societas Liturgica and North American Academy of Liturgy, Philadelphia, PA



"Ron Byars is at his very best in Finding Our Balance,demonstrating the mind of a thoughtful scholar and the heart of a seasoned pastor, preacher, and worship leader. In this powerfully persuasive book, he clearly names the church's idolatrous attempt to make peace with the desires of the surrounding culture and calls for an unashamed re-claiming of the church's doctrinal allegiance to Jesus Christ as expressed in the historic creeds and classical liturgy of the church. Believe me, this book just might be a game changer in the life of mainstream Protestantism."

--Ron Luckey, retired ELCA pastor, Lexington, KY



"A provocative and practical conversation between Tillich's 'Protestant Principle' and Barth's theological 'modesty'--a modesty Barth rooted not in the fallibility of God's word but of human words. Byars reminds us that God's word is expressed in the faith of the church ('orthodoxy'), a living tradition preserved in liturgy--both the leading and the practice of it in worship--with attention to the most needy among us."

--Tom Trinidad, pastor, Faith Presbyterian Church, Colorado Springs, CO