Stories, reflections and perspectives from diverse range of voices across the ELCA.
When Bimen Limbong began serving in Jeffersontown, Ky., a congregant approached him with a concern: his accent made it difficult to follow his sermons. He didn’t respond defensively. He responded…
Much of Jeffrey Overstreet’s professional life has centered on cinema, from his extensive film writing—including as critic for Christianity Today—to the courses he teaches at Seattle Pacific University. But film…
Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Cocoa Beach, Fla. Retired executive vice president and chief operating officer, Hyatt Vacation Ownership I moved to Cocoa Beach in 2015 with my husband and…
Editor’s note: In this second installment of a three-part Living Lutheran series, Deanna Kim Bassett, an ELCA pastor, reflects on her family’s experience of Japanese American incarceration—and what those stories…
In downtown Phoenix, where glass high-rises and new developments have replaced what was once a low-income corridor, a different kind of congregation gathers. This congregation is shaped less by brick…
For those of us who are suckers for a road movie, the charm of a classic hero-on-a-righteous-path story is endlessly alluring. The lead character walks off their past, confronts their…
Editor’s note: In this first installment of a three-part Living Lutheran series, Gail Kiyomura reflects on her family’s experience of Japanese American incarceration. In 1941, shortly after Gail Kiyomura’s…
One of the most important dimensions of aging is to bring us to understand that life cannot be taken for granted. Life cannot be devoured—it can only be savored (Joan Chittister,…
Four leaders from ministries across the ELCA share how their faith journeys intersect with their commitment to creation care in the seven-part short film series “Caring for the Earth: Stories…
Messiah Lutheran Church, Fairview Park, Ohio President and CEO, Community West Foundation My wife, Laura, and I are active at Messiah Lutheran and have many friends there. We lean toward…
Though I’ve often lived alone, I’m drawn to community and connection. I’ve been blessed to take part in many Christian communities, some for an intense, two-week period of formation and…
As a Palestinian Christian and ELCA pastor, Khader Khalilia occupies a singular and deeply personal role within the life of the church. Born and raised in Bethlehem, Khalilia maintains close…
April is Arab American Heritage Month in the United States. While this is a celebration of all Arab Americans—Christian and Muslim alike—I’m going to focus on Christians. As an Arab…
Of course he was innocent, responds every ounce of theology and tradition. Our salvation rests on this, that Jesus was fully God and thus incapable of sin, that his suffering and…
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…
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