Answering God’s ancient call to love our neighbor—especially the poor, the widow, the orphan, the foreigner, the oppressed, the powerless and the voiceless—takes many forms. They include prayer, service, provision…
The ongoing wars in Iran, Gaza, Ukraine and elsewhere have sparked debate over whether the violence in those conflicts is reasonable, fair, proportionate and necessary to accomplish an outcome to…
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…
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…
“One blustery Ash Wednesday, some pastor colleagues and I went downtown to distribute ‘ashes on the go.’ We spread on sidewalks that ran along towering office buildings and bustling restaurants,…
Innovation is in bloom across the rural reaches of the ELCA, and perhaps nothing exemplifies that better than a new food ministry in Iowa. The Western Iowa Synod calls it…
Lutherans can point with pride to our spiritual founder, Martin Luther, who is credited with sparking the Protestant Reformation more than 500 years ago. Lutheran congregations mark the Sunday closest…
In an increasingly diverse world, inclusivity and accessibility are vital values for congregations seeking to reflect the love and compassion of Jesus. Neurodivergence—a term encompassing conditions such as autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity…
The 21st century has brought many changes to churches worldwide, and the ELCA is no exception. As in other mainline denominations, the ELCA is experiencing smaller worship attendances, tighter finances,…
The feet. Their feet. Underneath the sandals. The road-weary, callous-soled, cracked-toenailed, blister-ridden, dirt-caked feet of the disciples. Foul-smelling of sweat, dust, garbage puddles, creaky leather and roadside animal waste. Those…
The COVID-19 pandemic worsened mental health around the world, but since then there have been plenty of reasons for unwellness: war, violence, political division, economic instability, climate change and extreme…
It was the morning of the Christian era, the year 325, when, for the first time, Christian leaders from all over gathered to share, discuss, argue and decide on important…
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