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Mission & Ministry

A new kind of pastor

As seminaries rework the ways they train new pastors, congregations may have to alter their “image” of a pastor. “We look at the world around us, and the church, as…
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Spiritual Resources

Unsolicited advice from a departing pastor

This was the final newsletter column of my pastoral career. I was part of four parishes in 31 years. They are all different, but they share common challenges as Christianity…
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Mission & Ministry

Marine follows call to become pastor

While deployed as a Marine in Iraq in 2005, Nathan Huffman received a visit from a chaplain that would ultimately change his life. “He came to me and he asked…
Pastors embrace call to live healthier lives
Living Faithfully

Pastors embrace call to live healthier lives

When asked what she did for fun outside of church, Karol Hendricks-McCracken, pastor of New Salem Lutheran Church, Turtle River, Minn., couldn’t answer. “Well, teach confirmation,” was her response to…
When making a living and living in service intersect
Living Faithfully

When making a living and living in service intersect

Starbucks barista. Pharmacist. Substitute teacher. Nanny. Animal handler. Roller derby announcer. These seemingly unrelated professionals have one thing in common—they’re all leading “double lives” as church workers, most as pastors….
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Voices of Faith

Holy Week and pastor stress

Here are some ways for congregations to help bring the level down.
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Living Faithfully

Women clergy thankful for gains, frustrated by leadership gap

Editor’s note: In observance of Women’s History Month in March, we remember the ELCA’s predecessor bodies that made history in 1970 when they ordained the first Lutheran women pastors. This…
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Living Faithfully

A pastor & 18 drivers

When Tom Stutelberg, East Union Lutheran Church, Carver, Minn., developed a heart condition called cardiomyopathy he was told not to drive for six months. The congregation asked for volunteers to…
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Living Faithfully

ELCA pastor opens U.S. Senate in prayer

Kathryn Pocalyco, pastor of Lutheran Church of Our Saviour, North Chesterfield, Va., opens the U.S. Senate in prayer at the invitation of Virginia Sen. Mark Warner. “I believe prayer orients…
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Living Faithfully

A Two Bald Pastors podcast

Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton drops in for chat about ministry.