Legacy ministry creates space for all abilities
Mission & Ministry

Legacy ministry creates space for all abilities

The  legacy of a 12-year-old girl lives on in a disability ministry at Central Lutheran Church in Mondovi, Wis.  In 2015, a couple who worships at Central introduced the possibility…

I’m a Lutheran: Richard Schmidt
Voices of Faith

I’m a Lutheran: Richard Schmidt

St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, La Grange, Texas Artist/jewelry designer  I pray that no matter how and where you were raised, and no matter your race or religion, we can…

Pastors of transition
Faith in Action

Pastors of transition

“Interims want to help people through the transition period, understanding clearly their accountability to their baptismal covenant and whatever future their congregation may have.” Your pastor has retired after 25…

Rules of attraction
Faith in Action

Rules of attraction

Congregations are always trying to find out the rules of attraction. I don’t use the word “attractive” to indicate “hip,” “trendy” or even aesthetically pretty, but a cluttered building does…

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Spiritual Resources

Lectionary blog: A feast for all

Lectionary blog for July 29 Tenth Sunday after Pentecost 2 Kings 4:42-44; Psalm 145:10-18; Ephesians 3:14-21; John 6:1-21 In the southern evangelical churches of my youth, we didn’t really have…

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Spiritual Resources

Seeing God’s word spoken

The word of God washes like waves over worshipers at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Moorhead, Minn.  Sound waves, to be exact—and not just the kind you can hear.  Thanks to…

Beyond the rainbow flag
Faith in Action

Beyond the rainbow flag

During LGBT Pride Month (June), many ELCA congregations pay special attention to issues around sexual orientation and gender identity. Because the LGBTQ community has often been ignored or even condemned…

Rewriting the narrative
Faith in Action

Rewriting the narrative

“There is a public narrative that African-American congregations are only recipients [of assistance]. We wanted our church (the ELCA) to see us differently. Rewriting the narrative is saying we also…

Is America facing a “post-Christian” future?
Faith in Action

Is America facing a “post-Christian” future?

In July 2017, the research firm Barna Group released “The Most Post-Christian Cities in America,” a report based on surveys of 76,505 adults in 100 American cities. The results? Portland-Auburn,…