Voices of Faith

Voices of Faith

Shiny stars and blinking lights

My friend started a chore chart when her child turned 4. Her daughter earned a shiny star each time she completed a task listed on the chart. Once the child…

Voices of Faith

Loved beyond measure: Why church leaders need words of affirmation

Editor’s note: This reflection is offered in conjunction with the ELCA’s Rostered Ministers Appreciation initiative. Learn more and get involved at elca.org/rmappreciation. Our rostered ministers are called from all walks…

Voices of Faith

How the church can respond to domestic violence

Editor’s note: The following article discusses a faithful response to domestic violence as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which is observed each October. If you or anyone you know…

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…

Voices of Faith

John Chrysostom

Tucked in our Evangelical Lutheran Worship is a list of commemorations (page 15). Though such observances aren’t as prominent as feast days and lesser festivals, they do have a role…

Voices of Faith

Henry Melchior Muhlenberg

Henry Melchior Muhlenberg (1711-1787) was a prominent American Lutheran pioneer pastor, church planter, organizer, administrator, liturgist and chronicler. Sent by Halle Pietists in 1742 to counter Moravian incursions among German…

Voices of Faith

My take: Why in the world would anyone get ordained today?

On a Tuesday night at the end of summer, I participated in an ordination. Ordination, the act of consecrating someone as a member of the religious clergy, is sort of…

Voices of Faith

A story of faith with no easy answers

Jen Jensen’s life changed forever late one night in 2012. She awoke to find her husband Mike—then a worship and music director at Nazareth Lutheran Church, Cedar Falls, Iowa—having a…

Voices of Faith

My take: On the church that harms and heals

The church of Christ in every age,  beset by change but Spirit led, must claim and test its heritage and keep on rising from the dead. —Fred Pratt Green In…

Voices of Faith

Waiting on truth

Editor’s note: On Oct. 18, the church commemorates the Feast of St. Luke, Evangelist.  In 1959, Philip Roth published “The Conversion of the Jews,” an amusing short story about Ozzie…

Voices of Faith

Finding home: A story of adoption

She sat at my table surrounded by friends before taking a long, deep breath. “I don’t want to dominate the conversation,” she said, “but there are some things I’d like…

Voices of Faith

I’m a Lutheran: Bettye Olson

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, St. Paul, Minn. Artist and retired art teacher  I believe art has been my passion, my work, my inspiration and sometimes my healer. It has always…