Alive in the church: A series introduction
Mission & Ministry

Alive in the church: A series introduction

“There aren’t any young adults!” Or occasionally, if the person is feeling more optimistic, it’s framed as a question: “Where are the young adults?” Either way, it’s the same sentiment:…

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Voices of Faith

Seeing what we believe

Each year on the Sunday following Easter, we hear in our Gospel lesson the story of Thomas, “the Twin.” He’s been stuck with the nickname “Doubting Thomas,” yet the point…

The winning play
Voices of Faith

The winning play

A sacrifice is giving up something valuable to gain a greater treasure. As a child, I sacrificed my precious free time to participate in park district programming, which afforded me…

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Voices of Faith

The gospel is a promise

In [the gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed (Romans 1:17). In the preface to The Complete Edition of Luther’s Latin Works (1545), Martin Luther recorded how this verse in Paul’s…

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Voices of Faith

I’m a Lutheran: Martin Kaste

Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church, Seattle National Public Radio (NPR) correspondent I believe that man is not the measure, and the simple fact of existence is evidence of divine will. An…

My take: How poetry leads us to see creation anew
Voices of Faith

My take: How poetry leads us to see creation anew

How sometimes everything closes up, a painted fan, landscapes and moments flowing together until the sense of distance – – – say, between Clapp’s Pond and me – – –…

Using contemporary worship music during Holy Week
Spiritual Resources

Using contemporary worship music during Holy Week

Use your imagination and don’t be afraid to cut. That’s my advice for Lutheran musicians looking to incorporate contemporary worship songs into traditional liturgies. Because these kinds of songs are…

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Voices of Faith

Sauntering to the cemetery

I’ve always appreciated the brassy candor from two sisters upon meeting Jesus after Lazarus’ death: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21, 32)….

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Voices of Faith

Forming leaders: Then and now

One of the Reformation’s ambitious goals was to create an educated clergy. Both Protestant and Catholic reformers shared this goal, but the methods they chose varied somewhat: Protestants relied on…

The prophetic horror of <i>Us</i>
Voices of Faith

The prophetic horror of Us

(There are some spoilers for the film Us ahead.) By the time the monsters reveal themselves in the new horror thriller Us, viewers already have a good idea who they…

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Voices of Faith

My take: Why archivists matter to the church

If you’ve ever wondered when your congregation began and who started it, there are ways to find the answers. Sure you could ask someone who may know the congregation’s history,…