Camp breaks down barriers
Mission & Ministry

Camp breaks down barriers

Last summer, during a special week for families at Outlaw Ranch in Custer, S.D., a small group of campers decided to cook tamales for everyone at camp—about 120 people. The…
God’s vision for a healthy masculinity
Living Faithfully

God’s vision for a healthy masculinity

One of my 4-year-old son’s favorite pastimes is putting together his jumbo jigsaw puzzle depicting a dramatic NFL touchdown. On any given day, you’ll likely find him splayed out on…
100 years of inspiring faith
Mission & Ministry

100 years of inspiring faith

James Hazelwood didn’t grow up in the church. Still, the directors at El Camino Pines, a Lutheran outdoor camp north of Los Angeles, took a chance on this “unchurched guy,”…
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Living Faithfully

Good news for parents not in church

Sometimes it seems like all we do is shush them, or maneuver snacks to avert a meltdown during worship, send “the look” or a pointed finger at them during a…
Perspective: Our promise to baptized children
Living Faithfully

Perspective: Our promise to baptized children

Here’s a familiar Sunday scene: Before worship begins, a baby wearing a white gown is passed around between parents, grandparents and godparents. Noticing the baptismal party, parishioners check the bulletin…
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Voices of Faith

A father’s example

“By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he is wrong.” —Charles Wadsworth My friend Dan once told me,…
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Living Faithfully

My take: Life that is really life

I was curled up in my assigned bed in the mental hospital—ready to go to sleep for the night—when a nurse came in to tell me I was pregnant. The…
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Living Faithfully

Fearfully and wonderfully made

Years ago, I experienced adverse reactions to various foods I’d eaten. My doctor took months to pinpoint the issue, and I lost a good amount of weight in the process….
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Living Faithfully

Gear up for a faithful summer

As the school year winds down and Memorial Day approaches, families with kids adjust to major shifts in weather, activities and schedules. In many congregations, children’s ministry also downshifts. But…
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Living Faithfully

Coaching connections

As assistant cross-country coach Anna Sorenson pounds the pavement with her team of runners, conversation helps the miles pass more quickly. Between her words of encouragement, Sorenson hears about the…