A declaration of war…and peace
On Feb. 28, the United States, in coordination with Israel, launched a bombing campaign against Iran, kicking off a series of debates about the justification for war. Secretary of Defense…
Every time Lutherans sing “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” we are reminded anew that music is hardwired into our worship and devotion. After all, it was Martin Luther himself…
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…
On Feb. 28, the United States, in coordination with Israel, launched a bombing campaign against Iran, kicking off a series of debates about the justification for war. Secretary of Defense…
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 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…
A new, four-session study guide was released by the ELCA this month, in connection with Earth Day. “Our Kairos Moment: A Study Guide on Earth’s Climate Crisis” is based on…
Since its beginning in 1988, the ELCA has partnered with Lutheran churches in Central America, not only to mutually enrich our faith through accompaniment but also to learn about and…
You have attempted to access a feature of this website that is only available to members of livinglutheran.org.
A free membership gives you a customized dashboard for curated content based on your interest, the ability to like and save articles, an optional subscription to a weekly email digest “LL Stories”, and more.
Already have an account? log in
If you are a subscriber to the LL Stories email digest from before the introduction of the new website in December 2025, your account is intact, but your password will need to be reset unless you have a login for another ELCA website.
If you have a login for another ELCA website like community.elca.org, directory.elca.org or others you can use the password associated with that login.