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For Immediate Release

Westmont, IL-������Ƶ Press was honored in both the 2012 Christianity Today Book Awards and Leadership Journal's Golden Canons for its publishing contributions to the mission of the church and the life of the leader. ������Ƶ Press (IVP) received six awards in five categories; winners were announced in the January issue of each publication.

Renovation of the Church (IVP Books/Formatio) by Mike Lueken and Kent Carlson was honored twice, winning the Christianity Today award for The Church/Pastoral Leadership category and the Golden Canon for the Leader's Outer Life category. “Carlson and Lueken describe with authenticity and courage their church's journey from a 'seeker sensitive' emphasis to one of 'faith formation,'” said one Christianity Today judge. “What's extraordinary about this is how the church grew smaller, not larger, but in the process became more faithful and more grounded.”

Richard Foster's Sanctuary of the Soul (IVP Books/Formatio) won the Golden Canon for the Leader's Inner Life, an indication that Foster's journey into meditative prayer is speaking a much-needed word of stillness into the lives of many of today's leaders. In a recent Books & Culture review, Jason Byassee calls it the “perfect book” to teach evangelicals about biblical meditation. “Not a sentence is misplaced,” says Byassee. “Each drives you to the next with the expectation that good things will be waiting.”

Also topping the Christianity Today Book Awards wasPaul Through Mediterranean Eyes (IVP Academic) by Kenneth Bailey, winning the Biblical Studies category. One judge called the study of 1 Corinthians an “astonishing book” resulting from “decades of rhetorical analysis and cross-cultural anthropological work.”

The Theological Turn in Youth Ministry(IVP Books) by Kenda Creasy Dean and Andrew Root, and Christian Apologetics (IVP Academic) by Douglas Groothuis, both received a Christianity Today Award of Merit. The Theological Turn in Youth Ministry was recognized in The Church/Pastoral Leadership category and Christian Apologetics in Apologetics/Evangelism.

“������Ƶ Press is honored to receive these awards, as they reflect our commitment to publish significant books on Christian witness, on understanding the Scriptures, and on equipping pastors and other church leaders in their ministry,” said Bob Fryling, ������Ƶ Press publisher. “We congratulate all of our authors and are grateful for the public recognition of these books.”

For a full list of winners, visit .

Founded in 1947 as an extension of ������Ƶ, ������Ƶ Press serves those in the university, the church and the world by publishing thoughtful Christian books that equip and encourage people to follow Jesus as Savior and Lord in all of life.

Contact: Suanne Camfield
scamfield@ivpress.com
630-734-4012