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Lynne Baab

Lynne Baab

Adjunct Professor of Ministry and Biblical Studies

✉ lmbaab@hiu.edu

EDUCATION:
  • Ph.D. in Communication, University of Washington
  • Master of Divinity, Fuller Theological Seminary
  • Bachelor of Science, Willamette University

 

COURSES TAUGHT AT HIU:

  • Reading for Spiritual Formation, Pacific Theological Seminary
  • Leading Communal Spiritual Practices, Pacific Theological Seminary

 

POSITIONS HELD:

  • Jack Sommerville Senior Lecturer in Pastoral Theology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
  • Associate Pastor, Bethany Presbyterian Church, Seattle
  • Writer/Editor for publications for Seattle Presbytery and the Synod of Alaska-Northwest
  • Campus Staff Member, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship

 

ACADEMIC INTERESTS:

  • Spiritual practices for individuals and communities
  • Church communication

 

WRITING/PUBLISHING:

1. Articles in Refereed Journals

  • Baab, Lynne. “Character and Practices that Nurture Creation Care.” Stimulus: The New Zealand Journal of Christian Thought and Practice, 20/1, April 2013, 18-23.
  • Baab, Lynne and Kelly, Carolyn. “Art Has its Reasons: The Emerging Role of the Arts in Protestant Congregations.” The Journal of Communication and Religion, 34/2, November, 2011, 181-196.
  • Baab, Lynne. “Portraits of the Future Church: A Rhetorical Analysis of Congregational Websites.” The Journal of Communication and Religion, 31, November, 2008, 143-181.

2. Chapters in Edited Books

  • Baab, Lynne. “Toward a Theology of the Internet: Place, Relationship and Sin.” In Digital Religion, Social Media and Culture: Perspectives, Practices and Futures, edited by Pauline Hope Cheong, Peter Fischer-Nielsen, Stefan Gelfgren, Charles Ess. New York: Peter Lang, 2012, 277-291.
  • Baab, Lynne. “Spiritual Practices for Preachers: Making Space for a Continuing Conversation with the Living God.” In Text Messages: Preaching God’s Word in a Smartphone World, edited by John Tucker. Eugene, Oregon: Wipf and Stock, 2017.

3. Books

  • Almost Peaceful: My Journey of Healing from Binge Eating. Independently published, 2025.
  • Draw Near: A Lenten Devotional. Independently published, 2024
  • Two Hands: Grief and Gratitude in the Christian Life. Independently published, 2021.
  • Nurturing Hope: Pastoral Care in the Twenty-First Century. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2018. Anchor volume for a ten-volume series on pastoral care.
  • The Power of Listening: Building Skills for Mission and Ministry. Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield, 2014.
  • Joy Together: Spiritual Disciplines for Your Congregation. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2012.
  • Friending: Real Relationships in a Virtual World. Downer’s Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2011.
  • Reaching Out in a Networked World: Expressing Your Congregation’s Heart and Soul. Bethesda, MD: The Alban Institute, 2008.
  • Fasting: Spiritual Freedom Beyond Our Appetites. Downer’s Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2006.
  • Sabbath Keeping: Finding Freedom in the Rhythms of Rest. Downer’s Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2005.
  • Beating Burnout in Congregations. Washington, D.C.: The Alban Institute, 2003.
  • A Renewed Spirituality: Finding Fresh Paths at Midlife. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002.
  • Embracing Midlife: Congregations as Support Systems. Washington, D.C.: The Alban Institute, 1999.
  • Personality Type in Congregations: How to Work with Others More Effectively. Washington, D.C.: The Alban Institute, 1998.

4.  Bible Study Guides and Devotionals

  • The Present Word, Westminster John Knox Press, Winter 2020-21, Spring 2022, Fall 2023, Winter 2024-25, Spring 2026.
  • Draw Near. Lenten Devotional. Presbyterians Today, 2015.
  • Prayers of the New Testament. A LifeGuide Bible Study Guide. Downer’s Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2010.
  • Prayers of the Old Testament. A LifeGuide Bible Study Guide. Downer’s Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2010.
  • Sabbath: The Gift of Rest. A LifeGuide Bible Study Guide. Downer’s Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2007. (Titled Restoring the Sabbath in the U.K.)

5. Dictionary and Study Bible Entries

  • “Sabbath,” “Four Views of the Sabbath.” Vital Faith Study Bible. Carol Stream, IL: Christianity Today Publications, 2014.
  • “Sabbath,” “Fasting,” “Images,” “Imagery.” Dictionary of Christian Spirituality, edited by Glen G. Scrogie, Simon Chan, Gordon T. Smith and James D. Smith, III. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011.

6. Magazine Articles. More than 50 of Lynne’s magazine articles are available at lynnebaab.com/articles.

 

HOBBIES/INTERESTS:

Nurturing friendships and family relationships, staying physically fit through water exercise and exercise bicycling, reading widely.

 

FAVORITE QUOTATION:

“The work of the mature person is to carry grief in one hand and gratitude in the other and to be stretched large by them. How much sorrow can I hold? That’s how much gratitude I can give. If I carry only grief, I’ll bend toward cynicism and despair. If I have only gratitude, I’ll become saccharine and won’t develop much compassion for other people’s suffering. Grief keeps the heart fluid and soft, which helps make compassion possible.”
–“The Geography of Sorrow: Francis Weller on Navigating our Losses” in the Sun Magazine

 

LINKS:

LynneBaab.com