Posts in ELCA
ELEA Seeks Part-Time Membership Director
ELEA Seeks Part-Time Membership Director

The Evangelical Lutheran Education Association (ELEA / ELCA Schools & Learning Centers) is seeking a part-time, fully remote Membership Director to help support approximately 1,200 Lutheran schools and early learning centers nationwide. The position is approximately 20–25 hours per week with a flexible schedule and is open until filled.

Candidates with administrative or membership-development experience, particularly within an ELCA congregation, synod or organization, are encouraged to apply.

Read More
ELCABrian FlatgardEvangelical Lutheran Education Association (ELEA), Help WantedComment
Bishop Curry Calls Lutherans to Be “Trusted Messengers” This Election Season
Bishop Curry Calls Lutherans to Be “Trusted Messengers” This Election Season

ELCA Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry calls Lutherans to be “faithful, informed and engaged” this election season—and to serve as trusted messengers in a time when misinformation can undermine trust and participation. Grounding civic engagement in our baptismal calling, love of neighbor and the commandment not to bear false witness, Bishop Curry encourages congregations and individuals to seek accurate information, participate thoughtfully and help strengthen their communities.

His Aug. 19 message also highlights new ELCA election resources, including the ELCA Election Engagement Toolkitand a Sept. 3 toolkit launch webinar. Read Bishop Curry’s full message and explore the resources →

Read More
Bishop Curry, ELCABrian FlatgardBishop Curry Letters, Elections and Voting Rights, Church and SocietyComment
Stolen Stories: Palestinian Christians Share History in Their Own Words
Stolen Stories: Palestinian Christians Share History in Their Own Words

ELCA Sumud’s five-part Stolen Stories video series centers Palestinian Christian pastors, bishops and scholars as they tell their history in their own words. Watch the first two episodes, “Nakba” and “Naksa,” and listen to the lived experiences and theological witness of our Palestinian siblings in Christ.

Read More
ELCABrian FlatgardSumud, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy LandComment
From Lutheran Freedom to Racial Justice: Watch and Join the ELCA Series
From Lutheran Freedom to Racial Justice: Watch and Join the ELCA Series

Watch the first two webinars in ELCA Racial Justice Ministries’ series equipping the church to dismantle white supremacy—including “Freedom of a Christian,” featuring Rev. Dr. Carmelo Santos, PhD, our 2026 Fall Gathering speaker. Meet Dr. Santos through this timely exploration of Lutheran freedom, justice and our calling to serve our neighbors.

Read More
ELCABrian FlatgardRacial Justice, ELCA Racial Justice MinistriesComment
What Do the “Four Freedoms” Have to Do With Lutherans?
What Do the “Four Freedoms” Have to Do With Lutherans?

As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, Living Lutheran explores President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Four Freedoms”—freedom of speech and worship, and freedom from want and fear—through a distinctly Lutheran lens.

Leah Taber connects these enduring ideals with unity in Christ, reconciliation, community, grace and faith, asking what it would mean for Lutherans to embody these commitments in our congregations, communities and civic life. Read the full reflection in Living Lutheran.

Read More
ELCABrian FlatgardLiving Lutheran, Church and SocietyComment
Safeguarding Our Worshiping Communities: Resources from Kendra Stea
Safeguarding Our Worshiping Communities: Resources from Kendra Stea

Resources are now available from our August 18 conversation with Kendra Stea, ELCA Director, Misconduct Prevention, on safeguarding worshiping communities. Explore or download Kendra’s presentation covering mandatory reporting, Safe Church policies, misconduct, sex offender covenants, behavior agreements, and resources for protecting children and vulnerable adults.

Congregational leaders are encouraged to use and share these materials—and to contact the synod when questions or concerns arise.

Read More
Grand Canyon Synod, ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardMisconductComment
August Good Green News: Creation Care Resources for Lutherans
August Good Green News: Creation Care Resources for Lutherans

Lutherans Restoring Creation’s August Good Green News features upcoming opportunities for worship, learning and action, including Nature, Spirituality & Church in the Wild on August 25, Season of Creation resources, the 2026–27 EcoPreacher cohort, an environmental spirituality summit with Bill McKibben, and an ELCA creation-care film series beginning September 2.

Explore these events, new resources and more ways for individuals and congregations to connect Lutheran faith with care for God’s creation.

Read More
ELCABrian FlatgardGood Green News, Lutherans Restoring Creation, Climate ChangeComment
The Generosity Project Finds a New Home
The Generosity Project Finds a New Home

The Generosity Project has a new online home! For several years, the Grand Canyon Synod Stewardship Team helped host this cross-generational ELCA stewardship resource. We celebrate its next chapter and give special thanks to Grand Canyon Synod member and longtime project champion Linda Staats for her passion and leadership.

Explore The Generosity Project and discover resources for cultivating generosity, discipleship, and faith from generation to generation.

Read More
ELCA, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardStewardship, GCS Stewardship Team, The Generosity ProjectComment
Lutheran Men in Mission Shares New Resources, Retreats and Fall Opportunities
Lutheran Men in Mission Shares New Resources, Retreats and Fall Opportunities

Lutheran Men in Mission’s Summer 2026 Ambassador-Gram features newly revised men’s ministry resources, a new DIY half-day retreat series, fall One Year to Live retreats and Bold Gatherings, weekly online Bible and book studies, a discipleship course, and a Sept. 8 legacy giving webinar.

Explore the opportunities and resources available to help congregations strengthen men’s ministry and discipleship.

Read More
ELCABrian FlatgardLutheran Men in MissionComment
Women of the ELCA Celebrate “I Am Worthy” Gathering and Look Ahead to 2029
Women of the ELCA Celebrate “I Am Worthy” Gathering and Look Ahead to 2029

Women of the ELCA welcomed 1,000 registered participants to the “I Am Worthy” Triennial Gathering, July 16-19 in Des Moines, following the Thirteenth Triennial Convention. Explore highlights and photos from the gathering—and look ahead to the 2029 Triennial Gathering in Louisville, Kentucky, with pre-registration savings available through September 1.

Read More
ELCA, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardWomen of the ELCA (WELCA)Comment
From Scarcity to Sanctuary: When Church Property Becomes Ministry
From Scarcity to Sanctuary: When Church Property Becomes Ministry

With declining membership and limited finances, Trinity Lutheran Church of Manhattan didn’t have abundant resources—but it did have space and a willingness to take a leap of faith. Twenty years ago, the congregation began sheltering LGBTQIA+ young adults experiencing homelessness. Today, Trinity Place remains open every night, offering shelter, community and a path toward greater stability.

In Living Lutheran, the story becomes an invitation for congregations to consider how underused buildings and land might serve their neighbors. The article also introduces the ELCA Church Property Resource Hub, which helps congregations explore faithful and creative possibilities for their property. ⁠Read “From Scarcity to Sanctuary” in Living Lutheran.

Read More
ELCABrian FlatgardLiving Lutheran, LGBTQIA+Comment
A Big Deal: How Lutherans Helped Shape the Pennsylvania Lottery
A Big Deal: How Lutherans Helped Shape the Pennsylvania Lottery

What do Lutheran pastors, community organizing and the Pennsylvania Lottery have in common? In Living Lutheran, retired ELCA pastor P. Richard Grove recalls how Lutheran leaders helped organize older adults around affordable public transportation in the early 1970s—and how that advocacy contributed to a system that has since provided billions of dollars in benefits for Pennsylvania’s older adults.

Part of Living Lutheran’s America 250 series, the firsthand account offers a fascinating glimpse into Lutheran engagement in civic life and the lasting consequences of community organizing. ⁠Read “A Big Deal” in Living Lutheran.

Read More
ELCABrian FlatgardLiving LutheranComment
Mission Investment Fund Annual Report Highlights Faithful Partnership and Impact
Mission Investment Fund Annual Report Highlights Faithful Partnership and Impact

The Mission Investment Fund’s 2025 Annual Report shares how congregations, individuals and ministry partners are putting financial resources to work in service of the church and their communities. In 2025, MIF reported $615 million in active loans supporting 700 ELCA ministries and $551.5 million in investments from individuals, congregations and organizations.

Beyond the numbers, the report shares stories of ministries expanding essential services, establishing permanent homes and aligning financial stewardship with service, justice and care for the neighbor. ⁠Explore the 2025 MIF Annual Report.

Read More
ELCABrian FlatgardELCA Mission Investment FundComment
July Mission Support Memo: Building community from InsideOut
July Mission Support Memo: Building community from InsideOut

Our July 2026 Mission Support Memo highlights a story created by our Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, about a community-centered ministry in West Lawn, Pa., called InsideOut.

Also, reconnect or connect with ELCA's The Generosity Project through a new webpage available in partnership with Kindling Faith. Finally, take the time to read a farewell from a beloved colleague, Victoria Flood.

Read More
ELCABrian FlatgardMission Support, ELCA Mission Support TeamComment
Supporting the Church’s Song: Resources and Events for Fall 2026
Supporting the Church’s Song: Resources and Events for Fall 2026

ELCA Worship’s August roundup offers several opportunities for church musicians and worship leaders: more than 40 Lutheran Summer Music performances available on demand, fall webinars from the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, October’s Vi Messerli Memorial Lectures in Church Music, and a formation opportunity for early-career church musicians through the Church Music Institute.

Several opportunities have fall deadlines or registration dates, making this a useful roundup to share with your congregation’s musicians and worship leaders. ⁠Explore all partner resources and events.

Read More
ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardELCA worshipComment
Resources for Worship Planning, Accessibility and the Church Year
Resources for Worship Planning, Accessibility and the Church Year

ELCA Worship highlights several resources from Augsburg Fortress for congregations and worship leaders, including the 2027 Sundays and Seasons calendar featuring the art of Kelly Latimore, a children’s introduction to the church year, ELW Occasional Services for the Assembly, and a large-print edition of Evangelical Lutheran Worship designed to make worship more accessible. ⁠Explore the August worship resources.

Read More
ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardELCA worshipComment