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Voices of Faith
Grounded in grace: You visited me
As a young seminarian, I first visited prison as part of my contextual education. I entered the prison doors believing I was on my way to reforming the criminal justice…
Voices of Faith
Engaging the spiritual landscape of New Orleans
Next month, the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly heads to New Orleans, a city that occupies a special place in my heart. Having grown up in a family that moved often, we…
Voices of Faith
God’s breath of life
“Take a deep breath. “Really deep. “No, deeper. “Breathe in from your stomach.” My husband, Stephen, looked at me from across the dining room table. Charlotte, our 1-year-old daughter, was…
Voices of Faith
Deeper understandings
Series editor’s note: At the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in August, the global dimensions of our self-understanding as “church” will be a major focus. This article helps us go deeper…
Voices of Faith
The scandalous Samaritan God
Possibly Jesus’ most well-known parable next to the so-called prodigal son was sermon material in many pulpits this past Sunday. It’s often called “the good Samaritan,” though I’m not fond…
Voices of Faith
I’m a Lutheran: John Sterner
“I’m a Lutheran” is a monthly profile featuring ELCA members around the world. The profiles showcase ELCA members in all their diversity, connecting one another through individual faith stories as…
Voices of Faith
Centrifugal: Being a public church
Every year I get to speak with prospective students. These folks aren’t just interested in seminary but have finished the application process and are ready to attend. I want to…
Voices of Faith
Abundant life
Summer is finally here! Time to unwind, hit the beach, go on vacation or spend a lazy afternoon in a hammock, right? Well maybe summer doesn’t feel quite as leisurely…
Voices of Faith
A dad’s concern
Being a father is a wide-open venture. When my wife and I had each of our two children, we were filled with joy at their arrival and committed to loving…
Voices of Faith
A lexicon of faith: Salvation
Nonreligious uses of the verb “to save” are easy to comprehend. A relief pitcher saves a baseball game. A medic saves the life of a heart attack victim. When we…
Voices of Faith
A lexicon of faith: Fear
Most of us do not live with so much fear that we expect to die the next time we open our front door or climb into a car. That degree…
Voices of Faith
Reflection
As we began our Lenten journey this year, I invited Faith in Place, a faith-based nonprofit, to come talk to my congregation about caring for creation ministry and advocacy as…
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