Gathered and sent
Theology & Beliefs

Gathered and sent

Each year we gather in our worshiping communities and exclaim with Christians around the world: “Alleluia! Christ is risen. Christ is risen, indeed. Alleluia!” Many of us set aside the…

Partners in mission, utilizers of space
Living Faithfully

Partners in mission, utilizers of space

Walk into Augustana Lutheran Church in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood on any day of the week and you might mistake it for the neighborhood community center. Seniors attend a memory…

Bearing witness: Put your body where love is needed
Theology & Beliefs

Bearing witness: Put your body where love is needed

Series editor’s note: The 2026 theme for “Deeper understandings” is faithful witness in challenging times. This year various authors will explore what it means for the ELCA, and each of…

I’m a Lutheran: Pam Liberda
Voices of Faith

I’m a Lutheran: Pam Liberda

Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Overland Park, Kan. Executive chef and co-founder, Buck Tui BBQ; executive chef, Muni I connected with Holy Cross before my wedding in 2005. I was raised…

ELCA Conference of Bishops elects chair and vice chair
Mission & Ministry

ELCA Conference of Bishops elects chair and vice chair

The Conference of Bishops of the ELCA met March 3-7 at the Eaglewood Resort and Conference Center in Itasca, Ill. The conference is an advisory body of the ELCA that…

“The church is called to do something about this”
Mission & Ministry, Theology & Beliefs

“The church is called to do something about this”

Congregation leaders suspect a child is being mistreated in her home but aren’t sure what to do, so they remain silent. A child is sexually assaulted by an adult who…

A new look at the devil
Theology & Beliefs

A new look at the devil

A mighty fortress is our God. … On earth he has no equal (ELW, 503-505). I’m a Lutheran, baptized, confirmed and ordained in that faith. Yet I was already on…

Bearing witness by serving my neighbor
Theology & Beliefs

Bearing witness by serving my neighbor

Series editor’s note: The 2026 theme for “Deeper understandings” is faithful witness in challenging times. This year, various authors will explore what it means for the ELCA, and each of us as Lutherans,…

I’m a Lutheran: David Rutlen
Voices of Faith

I’m a Lutheran: David Rutlen

St. James Lutheran Church, Portland, Ore. Professor emeritus of medicine and retired head of General Cardiology, Oregon Health and Science University; marathon runner I’m named after my grandfather, David Ruotsalainen,…

2027 ELCA Youth Gathering theme revealed
Mission & Ministry

2027 ELCA Youth Gathering theme revealed

Dive into the 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering theme, “Imagine More.” Based on Ephesians 3:20, the Gathering will be a space for young people to imagine more love, welcome, joy, courage…