As churches across the nation face continuing challenges in maintaining their membership and financial resources, congregations are increasingly looking to pool resources and work together. Though cooperation brings challenges, congregations…
From the beginning of Russia’s unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine in February, Lutherans have joined the worldwide effort to help, with generous donations of money, goods and service. The…
Over its 25 years, the ELCA Fund for Leaders has provided money to over 1,100 promising deacon and pastoral candidates so they could attend ELCA seminaries. For many, the Fund…
Many congregational leaders are concerned that members of “Gen Z”—those born between 1997 and 2012—are dropping out of church life. Though leaders can take consolation knowing that the trend isn’t…
Ministry has never been an easy calling. There are long hours, sufficient but not especially great pay, and the responsibility not only for the souls of a congregation but often…
It’s been said that God calls us to plow the fields where we live. And, so, every congregation adapts to serve its local mission field, each with its own needs,…
When the Florida-Bahamas Synod decided to give $956,251 to ELCA churchwide ministries, the amount wasn’t arbitrary. It was a “tithe”—10%—of the proceeds from a sale of real estate that netted…
Martin Luther believed in questions. If he had not questioned the prevailing theology of salvation back in the 16th century, we might be worshiping in a very different kind of…
At no other time in recent memory have Americans been so polarized on almost every issue. The divisiveness is taking its toll on our personal relationships, our community spirit, our…
As the pandemic eases its grip on our world, life is settling into a new normal that may spell difficulty to many churches. People who stayed away from congregational life…
As many people with strong religious traditions, Lutherans are sometimes reluctant to change and try new ways of thinking about and practicing faith. But there is a groundswell movement of…
Growing up is hard at any age, but today’s youth have it especially hard because of the pressures created by social media. A Pew Research Center survey found that nearly…
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed churches forever. Though we have lost some things, congregations and members are bouncing back and finding new opportunities and strength as the pandemic winds down….
The COVID-19 pandemic has plunged even some of the most technology-resistant churches into the world of digital worship. Swimming in the waters of online worship and finding them 1) not…
From Genesis to Revelation and the dozens of books in between, the Bible tells the story of God’s relationship to humanity as revealed to Christians in the New Testament and…
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