Unity in diversity
Living Faithfully

Unity in diversity

“Let Us Break Bread Together” was the anthem that resounded loudly and clearly on March 26, as four Christian denominations worshiped and shared the eucharist at the United Church of…
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Living Faithfully

A legacy of care

Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall—2 inches shorter than his grandfather—Christopher Heller towers over frail, elderly worshipers in wheelchairs attending Sunday service at Lutheran Care Center, a skilled nursing home…
Engaging body, mind and soul in worship
Living Faithfully

Engaging body, mind and soul in worship

How do we engage our whole selves in worship? Martin Billmeier, pastor of St. Lucas Lutheran Church, Toledo, Ohio, reflected on this question in a meditation last Lent, asserting he…
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Spiritual Resources

Unsolicited advice from a departing pastor

This was the final newsletter column of my pastoral career. I was part of four parishes in 31 years. They are all different, but they share common challenges as Christianity…
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Study Guides

Study guide: The face of the church is changing

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…
Five ways to grow giving in your congregation
Spiritual Resources

Five ways to grow giving in your congregation

October is a time when many congregations invite financial commitments for the coming year. Would your congregation like to increase giving in the year ahead so you have more money…
Study guide: 5 ways to grow giving in your congregation
Study Guides

Study guide: 5 ways to grow giving in your congregation

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…
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Spiritual Resources

Highly recommended: Embracing Stewardship

As you sit in the pew waiting for worship to begin, the pastor announces that the stewardship committee chair will be giving a temple talk. Dread washes over you as…
Sing unto the Lord a new song
Living Faithfully

Sing unto the Lord a new song

Most Lutherans don’t think twice about opening up a hymnal and being able to read the words inside. But for blind or visually impaired church members like John and Donna…
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Living Faithfully

August 2016 news

Reflections from Orlando In the early morning hours of June 12, a lone gunman entered Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla., and killed 49 people and wounded 53 others….
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Voices of Faith

Five things that happen when you accept a new call

The pastors today who will stay at one call their entire ministry are rare. In fact, out of my graduating seminary class, only one of my close colleagues is still…