Living out our commitment
Faith in Action

Living out our commitment

In 30 years the nation’s increased racial and ethnic diversity hasn’t changed ELCA demographics, according to statistics. Since the 1980s, the U.S. Census Bureau shows the total number of African-American,…

Closing gifts
Mission & Ministry

Closing gifts

When a church closes and sells its building, it doesn’t have to mean the end of its ministry. Many of these congregations have left a legacy by donating their buildings…

Keep record
Mission & Ministry

Keep record

In any organization, archives play an important role. Although the ELCA is only a few decades old, its archives house more than two centuries’ worth of information from the denomination…

Her-stories: The Rev. Dr. Maxine M. Washington
Theology & Beliefs

Her-stories: The Rev. Dr. Maxine M. Washington

Editor’s note: This story is a part of The Lutheran World Federation’s Her-stories global Lutheran storytelling project. If you have a story of how women have reformed the church or…

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Theology & Beliefs

Our Lutheran Life: Pastor Amanda Zentz-Alo

“Our Lutheran Life” invites and encourages ELCA members to tell contemporary stories inspired by the Reformation about how the power of God’s grace plays out in the complexities of daily…

Pastoring the purple
Faith in Action

Pastoring the purple

When you pull into the church parking lot on a Sunday morning, you see remnants of the scuffle on the car bumpers: “I’m With Her” alongside “Make America Great Again,”…

Climate change: Alaskan village tries to preserve its culture
Faith in Action

Climate change: Alaskan village tries to preserve its culture

The idea that climate change is a political issue or a matter of debate makes no sense, said Thomas Richter, pastor of Shishmaref Lutheran, the only congregation in the Alaskan…

Hope, dignity and love
Faith in Action

Hope, dignity and love

The four “grandmas” playing pinochle grinned when Elson Daniels ran to their card table. Seated in a cozy living room overlooking a snow-covered courtyard in Billings, Mont., they greeted the…

Reformation 500: 50 Reformation artworks
Theology & Beliefs

Reformation 500: 50 Reformation artworks

As we commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, Living Lutheran is exploring 500 of its unique aspects, continuing our series this month with 50 Reformation works of art. This…

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Theology & Beliefs

Reformation stories: ‘Katie Luther’ visits on Bold Women’s Sunday

Editor’s note: Throughout 2017, we’re highlighting reader submissions of ways they’re observing the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Submit your story by sending 300 words or less, plus photos, to livinglutheran@elca.org,…