# David Augsburger

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American Anabaptist (1938–2023)

David W. Augsburger Born (1938-08-14)August 14, 1938 Delphos, Ohio, U.S. Died October 30, 2023(2023-10-30) (aged 85) Claremont, California, U.S. Education Eastern Mennonite College (B.A., 1960); Eastern Mennonite Seminary (B.Div., 1963); Claremont School of Theology (Ph.D. in Personality, Theology & Psychotherapy, 1974) Occupation Pastoral counselor · Author · Educator Years active 1961–2023 Known for Leading figure in pastoral care and cross-cultural conflict mediation Notable work Caring Enough to Confront (1980); The Freedom of Forgiveness (1988); Conflict Mediation Across Cultures (1992); Dissident Discipleship (2006) Spouse Leann Elrich Augsburger Children Three

**David W. Augsburger** (August 14, 1938 – October 30, 2023) was an American [Mennonite](/source/Mennonite) pastor, author, theologian, counselor, and educator, known for his influential work in pastoral care, cross-cultural counseling, and conflict mediation.

## Early life and education

Born in [Delphos, Ohio](/source/Delphos%2C_Ohio), and raised on a farm in [Elida](/source/Elida%2C_Ohio), he was the youngest of six children. His parents were Clarence and Estella Augsburger. He earned degrees from [Eastern Mennonite College](/source/Eastern_Mennonite_College) (B.A., 1960) and [Eastern Mennonite Seminary](/source/Eastern_Mennonite_Seminary) (B.Div., 1963), and completed a Ph.D. in Personality, Theology, and Psychotherapy at [Claremont School of Theology](/source/Claremont_School_of_Theology) in 1974.[1][2][3]

## Career

Augsburger began his career with Mennonite Broadcasts (1961–1974), where he hosted the Mennonite Hour radio program and sang with the Mennonite Hour Quartet. He was ordained in 1963 and served as pastor of Trissels Mennonite Church in Virginia until 1971. He later held faculty positions at [Northern Baptist Theological Seminary](/source/Northern_Baptist_Theological_Seminary), [Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary](/source/Associated_Mennonite_Biblical_Seminary) (now AMBS), and [Fuller Theological Seminary](/source/Fuller_Theological_Seminary), where he taught pastoral counseling from 1990 until his retirement in 2012.[1][3]

Throughout his career, Augsburger led workshops worldwide on reconciliation, forgiveness, cross-cultural conflict, and interpersonal relationships. His major publications include *Caring Enough to Confront* (1980), *Conflict Mediation Across Cultures* (1992), *The Freedom of Forgiveness* (1988), *Dissident Discipleship* (2006), and *Pastoral Counseling Across Cultures* (1986). His *Caring Enough* series remains widely used in counseling and ministry settings.[1][2][3]

A devoted pacifist and peacemaker, Augsburger was known for his compassion, deep listening, and ability to confront injustice with grace. He co-pastored Peace Mennonite Fellowship in Claremont, California for many years until his death.[1] Augsburger was a minister of the [Mennonite Church](/source/Mennonite_Church_USA) and a diplomate of the [American Association of Pastoral Counselors](/source/American_Association_of_Pastoral_Counselors).[1][2][3]

## Personal life and death

Augsburger was married to Leann Elrich Augsburger, and had three children. His brother [Myron](/source/Myron_Augsburger) was a prominent [Mennonite Church](/source/Mennonite) author, evangelist, and theologian. Augsburger died at home in [Claremont, California](/source/Claremont%2C_California) on October 30, 2023, at age 85.[1][3]

## Legacy

Throughout his career, Augsburger was widely quoted in the media on a variety of topics related to spirituality and pastoral care.[4][5][6][7] He was often cited for his memorable quote about the importance of listening in a relationship: "Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person they are almost indistinguishable."[8][9][10]

## Selected publications

- Augsburger, David W. (1970). [*Life or Limbo*](https://openlibrary.org/search?q=Life+or+Limbo+Augsburger). Herald Press – via Open Library.

- Augsburger, David W. (1970). [*Be All You Can Be*](https://openlibrary.org/books/OL4914022M). Creation House – via Open Library.

- Augsburger, David W. (1970). [*The Freedom of Forgiveness*](https://archive.org/details/70x7freedomoffor0000unse). Moody Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780802428752](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780802428752) – via Internet Archive.

- Augsburger, David W. (1971). [*Witness Is Withness: More Showing Than Telling*](https://openlibrary.org/search?q=Witness+Is+Withness+Augsburger). Herald Press – via Open Library.

- Augsburger, David W. (1971). [*Cherishable: Love and Marriage*](https://openlibrary.org/search?q=Cherishable+Love+and+Marriage+Augsburger). Herald Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780836116625](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780836116625) – via Open Library.

- Augsburger, David W. (1972). [*Communicating Good News*](https://openlibrary.org/search?q=Communicating+Good+News+Augsburger). Herald Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780836117127](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780836117127) – via Open Library.

- Augsburger, David W. (1973). [*A Risk Worth Taking*](https://openlibrary.org/search?q=A+Risk+Worth+Taking+Augsburger). Herald Press – via Open Library.

- Augsburger, David W. (1973). [*Man, Am I Uptight!*](https://archive.org/details/manuptight0000davi). Moody Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780802451729](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780802451729) – via Internet Archive.

- Augsburger, David W. (1973). [*Caring Enough to Confront: How to Understand and Express Your Deepest Feelings Toward Others*](https://archive.org/details/caringenoughtoco00augs). Revell. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780800729189](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780800729189) – via Internet Archive.

- Augsburger, David W. (1979). [*Anger and Assertiveness in Pastoral Care*](https://openlibrary.org/search?q=Anger+and+Assertiveness+in+Pastoral+Care+Augsburger). Westminster Press – via Open Library.

- Augsburger, David W. (1980). [*Caring Enough to Hear and Be Heard: How to Hear and How to Be Heard in Equal Communication*](https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL38841A/David_W._Augsburger). Revell. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780830708369](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780830708369) – via Open Library.

- Augsburger, David W. (1981). [*So What? Everybody’s Doing It*](https://openlibrary.org/search?q=So+What+Everybody%27s+Doing+It+Augsburger). Revell – via Open Library.

- Augsburger, David W. (1981). [*Caring Enough to Forgive—Caring Enough Not to Forgive*](https://archive.org/details/caringenoughtofo0000augs). Regal Books – via Internet Archive.

- Augsburger, David W. (1982). [*From Here to Maturity*](https://archive.org/details/fromheretomaturi0000davi). Tyndale House – via Internet Archive.

- Augsburger, David W. (1983). [*When Caring Is Not Enough: Resolving Conflicts Through Fair Fighting*](https://openlibrary.org/search?q=When+Caring+Is+Not+Enough+Augsburger). Revell – via Open Library.

- Augsburger, David W. (1984). [*When Enough Is Enough*](https://openlibrary.org/search?q=When+Enough+Is+Enough+Augsburger). Revell – via Open Library.

- Augsburger, David W. (1986). [*Pastoral Counseling Across Cultures*](https://archive.org/details/pastoralcounseli0000augs). Westminster John Knox Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780664256166](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780664256166) – via Internet Archive.

- Augsburger, David W. (1989). [*Sustaining Love: Healing & Growth in the Passages of Marriage*](https://openlibrary.org/search?q=Sustaining+Love+Augsburger). Westminster John Knox Press – via Open Library.

- Augsburger, David W. (1992). [*Conflict Mediation Across Cultures: Pathways and Patterns*](https://archive.org/details/conflictmediatio00augs). Westminster John Knox Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780664256098](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780664256098) – via Internet Archive.

- Augsburger, David W. (1996). [*Helping People Forgive*](https://archive.org/details/helpingpeoplefor0000augs). Westminster John Knox Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780664256869](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780664256869) – via Internet Archive.

- Augsburger, David W. (2000). [*The New Freedom of Forgiveness*](https://openlibrary.org/search?q=The+New+Freedom+of+Forgiveness+Augsburger). Moody Publishers. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781575676852](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781575676852) – via Open Library.

- Augsburger, David W. (2004). [*Hate-Work: Working Through the Pain and Pleasures of Hate*](https://openlibrary.org/search?q=Hate-Work+Augsburger). Westminster John Knox Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780664226824](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780664226824) – via Open Library.

- Augsburger, David W. (2006). [*Dissident Discipleship: A Spirituality of Self-Surrender, Love of God, and Love of Neighbor*](https://openlibrary.org/search?q=Dissident+Discipleship+Augsburger). Brazos Press – via Open Library.

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Bergstresser_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Bergstresser_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Bergstresser_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Bergstresser_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Bergstresser_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Bergstresser_1-5) Bergstresser, Annette Brill (November 9, 2023). ["Remembering David Augsburger"](https://ambs.edu/news/remembering-david-augsburger/). *Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary News*. Retrieved April 2, 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Fuller_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Fuller_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Fuller_2-2) ["In Memoriam: David Augsburger"](https://www.fuller.edu/posts/in-memoriam-david-augsburger/). *Fuller Seminary News*. November 3, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Huber_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Huber_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Huber_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Huber_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Huber_3-4) Huber, Tim (November 10, 2023). ["Augsburger Sought Reconciliation, Justice via Classrooms, Pews, Airwaves"](https://anabaptistworld.org/augsburger-sought-reconciliation-justice-via-classrooms-pews-airwaves/). *Anabaptist World*. Retrieved April 2, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Schriever, Jordanna (16 June 2008). ["Spirituality, Flexibility Basis for Church Life"](https://www.proquest.com/docview/355064852). *The Advertiser*. p. 24. [ProQuest](/source/ProQuest) [355064852](https://www.proquest.com/docview/355064852). Retrieved April 2, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Kang, Connie (21 December 2002). ["Enlisting God's Help in Fighting Divorce"](https://www.proquest.com/docview/279586128). *Los Angeles Times*. p. B02. [ProQuest](/source/ProQuest) [279586128](https://www.proquest.com/docview/279586128). Retrieved April 2, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Kang, Connie (7 December 2002). ["Religion: Churches Act to Buttress the Family; Pastors Once Thought Just Being Christians Would Save Marriages. Now They're Offering Counseling, Before and After the Nuptials"](https://www.proquest.com/docview/421747178). *Los Angeles Times*. [ProQuest](/source/ProQuest) [421747178](https://www.proquest.com/docview/421747178). Retrieved April 2, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Stammer, Larry B. (13 June 2001). ["A Reckoning: Forgiveness and Fury"](https://www.proquest.com/docview/279605787). *Orlando Sentinel*. p. E1. [ProQuest](/source/ProQuest) [279605787](https://www.proquest.com/docview/279605787). Retrieved April 2, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Rice, Carole A. (5 February 2018). ["The Art of Listening and Really Hearing Is an Act of Love, Says Carole Ann Rice"](https://www.proquest.com/docview/1994212289). *Daily Express*. [ProQuest](/source/ProQuest) [1944212289](https://www.proquest.com/docview/1944212289). Retrieved April 2, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Christian, Rebecca (24 October 2014). ["Listening Makes a Connection"](https://www.proquest.com/docview/1615907404). *Telegraph-Herald*. [ProQuest](/source/ProQuest) [1615907404](https://www.proquest.com/docview/1615907404). Retrieved April 2, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Magill, Martin (27 February 2021). ["We Could All Learn a Thing or Two from Clever and Respectful Young Leaders: Keeping the Faith in a Pandemic"](https://www.proquest.com/docview/2493785330). *Belfast Telegraph*. p. 31. [ProQuest](/source/ProQuest) [2493785330](https://www.proquest.com/docview/2493785330). Retrieved April 2, 2025.

## Further reading

- Augsburger, D. W. (1992). *Conflict Mediation Across Cultures*. Westminster John Knox Press [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0664256098](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0664256098)

## External links

- [Complete Bibliography](http://www.librarything.com/author/augsburgerdavidw&all=1)

- [Comprehensive Biography](http://www.fuller.edu/academics/faculty/david-augsburger.aspx) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20090208171552/http://fuller.edu/academics/faculty/david-augsburger.aspx) 2009-02-08 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

v t e Fuller Theological Seminary Founder Charles E. Fuller Presidents Harold Ockenga Edward John Carnell David Allan Hubbard Richard Mouw Mark Labberton David Emmanuel Goatley Faculty Founding Everett F. Harrison Carl F. H. Henry Harold Lindsell Wilbur M. Smith Former Leslie C. Allen Gleason Archer David Augsburger Justin L. Barrett Geoffrey W. Bromiley Oliver D. Crisp Richard J. Foster Daniel Fuller John Goldingay Donald Hagner Paul Hiebert Paul King Jewett Charles H. Kraft William Sanford La Sor George Eldon Ladd Ralph P. Martin James William McClendon Jr. Joy J. Moore Richard Muller J. Edwin Orr Robert N. Schaper Love L. Sechrest Lewis B. Smedes Glen Stassen Thomas Talbott Miroslav Volf C. Peter Wagner Neil Clark Warren Mel White John Wimber Ralph Winter Charles Woodbridge Present Warren S. Brown Scott Cormode William Dyrness John Goldingay Joel B. Green Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen Kirsteen Kim Sebastian Kim Seyoon Kim Nancey Murphy Richard Peace Soong-Chan Rah J. Dudley Woodberry Amos Yong

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [David Augsburger](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Augsburger) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Augsburger?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.