Unlocking a new ministry model
Mission & Ministry

Unlocking a new ministry model

Growing up at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Greensboro, N.C., Lucille “CeCee” Mills, ELCA secretary, saw lay leadership as an opportunity for everyone to have their voice heard in…

God of resurrection
Lectionary Blog

God of resurrection

Lectionary for March 22, 2026 Fifth Sunday in Lent Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 130; Romans 8:6-11; John 11:1-45 A guest speaker recently talked to my class about the importance of “majoring…

God’s love sets us free
Voices of Faith

God’s love sets us free

Martin Luther’s assessment that we as God’s people are simultaneously sinners and saints has sometimes rankled. Nonetheless, the older I become, the more I acknowledge Luther’s honest insight—and my own…

Plans A, B and C
Lectionary Blog

Plans A, B and C

Lectionary for March 15, 2026 Fourth Sunday in Lent 1 Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 23; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41 Did you ever start out to do something great, but your first…

Study guide for “Holy Rollers”
Study Guides

Study guide for “Holy Rollers”

Who would ever think that the popular roleplaying game of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D)—steeped in themes of fantasy and magic, and featuring wizards, elves and other imaginary characters embarking on…

Study guide for “Unlocking a new ministry model”
Study Guides

Study guide for “Unlocking a new ministry model”

News flash (that is no real news): Our church is changing. Congregations are getting smaller, finances are stretched, and there are fewer traditional rostered ministers available. What’s a denomination to…

Thirst and movement
Lectionary Blog

Thirst and movement

Lectionary for March 8, 2026 Third Sunday in Lent Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 95; Romans 5:1-11; John 4:5-42 After taking a few decades off, I’ve been running again for the past…

Journeys of blessings
Lectionary Blog

Journeys of blessings

Lectionary for March 1, 2026 Second Sunday in Lent Genesis 12:1-4a; Psalm 121; Romans 4:1-5, 13-17; John 3:1-17 I used to run a small boutique tourism company, guiding tours for…

A historic day in Jerusalem
Mission & Ministry

A historic day in Jerusalem

On a bright, mild January day in the Old City of Jerusalem, with the sounds of Christmas carols leading the parade, the spirit of joy echoed through the narrow corridors…

An Advent Scripture recap and reflection
Spiritual Resources

An Advent Scripture recap and reflection

As the season of Advent comes to an end, take some time to read and ponder these Scriptures collected from Bread for the Day. At the end of this list…

Advent Prayer Chain Craft
Spiritual Resources

Advent Prayer Chain Craft

This week’s Advent activity can be completed with a group or as a solo project. Use it to create a space for reflection, community and celebration as you anticipate the…

ELCA’s best-kept secret helps ministers and lay leaders alike
Spiritual Resources

ELCA’s best-kept secret helps ministers and lay leaders alike

One of the ELCA’s best-kept secrets has been a successful program for 20 years. Since 2002 the ELCA’s coaching ministry has been an influential and effective tool for personal, relational…