Called to Follow

In John's Gospel Jesus enters as an adult and issues an invitation: ""Follow me."" Those who accept the call find themselves on the journey of a lifetime. Disciples complain about not knowing the destination; they fret about finding the way. But place and path come together in a person, who identifies himself in a series of sayings distinctive to this gospel. Over time and in community, disciples take on the identity of the one whom they follow. ""I AM"" becomes ""YOU ARE."" Called to Follow examines the gospel's argument for discipleship by exploring how an attention to time, vivid encounters, probing questions, matters of identity, and practices sustain the journey and keep fellow travelers on track. ""Many religious texts and teachers focus on providing one-size-fits-all answers. Called to Follow demonstrates instead the value of fruitful questions--questions that bring new and deepened perspective to life's dilemmas. Jesus's probing questions, recorded in the Gospel of John, brought new insights to his listeners. Drawing on her own richly experienced and thoughtful life, Stortz demonstrates that the right question can give contemporary recipients fresh approaches to the issues and situations confronting them."" --Margaret R. Miles, professor emerita, The Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley ""Accessible and applicable, Called to Follow reanimates the Gospel of John for contemporary audiences. Stortz, an insightful scholar and compassionate guide, shows us how to read Scripture for encounter, not just information. Through luminous prose, she brings John's Jesus into conversation with everyday experience, other Gospels, and Christian theology. A must-read for all those concerned with exploring the questions most pertinent to discipleship in our age."" --Diane M. Millis, author of Deepening Engagement and Conversation--The Sacred Art ""Ever attentive to the everyday implications of our faith, Stortz explores the Gospel of John to see what traction it has for the present. Called to Follow reflects her commitment to identifying key practices that provide the relational glue for followers of Jesus in the journey of faith. I am eager to use this book in a Bible study in our congregation."" --Mark S. Brocker, Lead Pastor, St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Beaverton, Oregon ""Whether you self-identify as a follower of Jesus or a curious observer, or you are deeply conflicted about the whole idea of being a follower of anyone, Called to Follow is a must-read. Professor Stortz opens us to the Jesus in John's Gospel in a way that addresses our heart's deepest desires and life's most provocative questions."" --Mark S. Hanson, Executive Director, Christensen Center for Vocation, Augsburg College; Presiding Bishop Emeritus, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ""Who will you follow? In this superb book, Stortz invites us to follow along with John's Jesus as he encounters people, asks them provocative questions, and reveals himself fully as the divine I AM. Are you ready to be encountered, questioned, and invited to follow Him?"" --Kathleen A. Cahalan, Professor of Practical Theology, Saint John's School of Theology and Seminary Martha Ellen Stortz is the Bernhard M. Christensen Professor of Religion and Vocation at Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is the author of Blessed to Follow (2008) and A World According to God (2004).