Sr. Regina Bechtle, a Sister of Charity of New York who is known to many in the
Vincentian-Setonian family for her talks, retreats and programs, has co-edited
CALLED AND CHOSEN: TOWARD A SPIRITUALITY FOR LAY LEADERSPublished by Rowman &
Littlefield. she edited the book in collaboration with Dr. Zeni Fox of Seton Hall
University. The book includes essays by Michael Downey, Elinor Ford, Monika
Hellwig, Dolores Leckey, John Nelson and others.
(From the publisher’s blurb) “That lay women and men increasingly serve as
leaders of institutional ministries in the Church is nothing new. Yet, until
now, these lay leaders have longed for theological resources and formational
training to help them in their vocation and ministry. Called and Chosen: Toward
a Spirituality for Lay Leaders is designed especially for women and men who, in
collaboration with vowed religious and the ordained, shepherd Church ministries
and touch the lives of countless people.
Written by leading authorities in biblical studies, theology, spirituality,
church history, and ecclesial leadership, the book is broken into four parts:
Part one invites lay leaders to claim their own call and commitment by
reflecting on the Catholic vision of spirituality, vocation, mission and
ministry, and the experiences of other leaders. Part two grounds their work in
the larger story of our institutional ministries by examining their biblical,
theological, and historical roots. Part three probes the work of the Spirit in
communities and institutions, against the backdrop of contemporary cultural
realities, to help leaders develop the capacity to discern the Spirit’s
workings. Part four focuses on issues central to the role of a spiritual
leader: the spirituality of administration, the task of building community, the
use of power and authority and work of forming and mentoring others. Questions
at the end of each chapter invite further reflection.
