Voices of Faith

Voices of Faith

My take: Servants come in all sizes

“Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.” –1 Peter 4:10 Volunteering. Lots of us do it, whether…

Voices of Faith

“A very rare treasure, indeed”

Her mother having passed away only days earlier, Carolyn Bolz was in deep grief while attending the Sunday service at Trinity Lutheran Church, Riverside, Calif. While others cheerfully passed the…

Voices of Faith

I’m a Lutheran: Shannon Ivey

Triumphant Lutheran Church in Garden Ridge, Texas (physically), and New Hope Lutheran Church, Agoura Hills, Calif. (online) Filmmaker/activist/professor/founder of Theatre For Change I pray for my marriage and my children’s…

Theology & Beliefs

ELCA 20/20

As we begin calendar year 2020, I’m reminded that “20/20” is also the term we use to describe clarity of vision. How can the ELCA see Jesus more clearly in…

Faith in Action

Unpacking white privilege

Editor’s note: At its June 2019 meeting, the ELCA Church Council adopted a “Declaration of the ELCA to People of African Descent.” At the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, leaders from…

Voices of Faith

Perspective: A weekend in California

Last fall, I was invited to participate in the ELCA Southwest California Synod’s first Latino Pastors Learning Day. While in California, I visited Nelson Rabell-González’s congregation in Lodi. What follows…

Spiritual Resources

Perspective: 7 tips for discussing difficult issues

The ELCA is a church I am proud to be a member of and proud to serve and lead in as a pastor and bishop. We aren’t perfect—but what sense…

Spiritual Resources

A Hidden Life: A faith of conviction and action

Terrence Malick’s new drama A Hidden Life tells the true story of Franz Jägerstätter, an Austrian farmer who, called up to fight in World War II, refused on religious grounds…

Voices of Faith

Illumination

Alleluia. We have observed his star at its rising, and have come to worship him. Alleluia. —Gospel acclamation for Epiphany (Year A), from Matthew 2:2   When I left the…

Voices of Faith

Search the darkness

Where is God? If you ask some children and many adults, they will point to the sky. And they might be right—at night. The Gospel readings that frame January locate…

Spiritual Resources

Questions for the new year

Question No. 1: Which one of you, overseeing a flock of 100 sheep in the wilderness or 100 children under your care in a major city, would leave the 99…

Voices of Faith

An unforgettable Christmas Eve

I’ve had many wonderful Christmas celebrations over the years. The most memorable one was more than 60 years ago, before I was ordained. I was attending Luther Seminary in St….