Many of our congregations are struggling with the same three interrelated difficulties: a smaller pool of members, a shrinking financial base, and fixed costs from an older building that may…
We stand at the threshold of another year—365 breathtakingly wonderful days in which to begin new projects, complete old ones, improve ourselves and live our lives differently. But as we…
Pastors, bishops, congregations and other leaders across our country are adapting and innovating to keep up with a shifting religious landscape. Fewer people are coming to church, and a rising…
Improving lives of families and communities in developing nations—that’s one of the primary objectives of ELCA Good Gifts. The program approaches this through a comprehensive strategy involving education, sustainable development,…
With more than 62 million people uprooted from their homes by violence and poverty, the world has not seen so many refugees since World War II. This gives people of…
The late comedienne Joan Rivers was famous for her line “Can we talk?” It’s a great question, but it certainly begs another: “Can we listen?” In our nation’s often-polarized climate,…
Congregations live in the tension of these two opposing principles: Ministry is mostly not about money, but most ministries require money to run. How is your congregation doing? Download a…
The ELCA is committed to being a public church—not only directly assisting the poor, the oppressed, the sick, the imprisoned and other disadvantaged people, but also raising our voices and…
Many established Lutheran congregations face the challenge of reconnecting with their communities, which have changed dramatically since the churches were founded. And nearly all need to work harder to not…
Payday loans are unsecured, small-sum, short-term (two weeks, for example) loans ostensibly designed to tide a borrower over until the next payday—hence the name. The problem comes because many borrowers…
The good news is that the Lutheran church is growing rapidly. The bad news is that it is only growing in Africa, in Asia and other corners of the world,…
Since education for children and youth is universal throughout North America, homework tutoring presents an opportunity for ministry for virtually every ELCA congregation. Tutoring not only helps the students get…
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