Posts in Leader Resources
Worship Life at the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly
Worship Life at the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly

Over 1,000 people gathered in Phoenix, July 28–Aug. 2, for the ELCA 2025 Churchwide Assembly under the theme For the Life of the World. Daily worship services celebrated baptism, Holy Communion, justice, lament, and prayer—culminating in a sending service affirming our call as Christ’s body in the world. Blue vestments on Wednesday and Thursday symbolized hope and the longing for justice and peace. The ELCA has shared behind-the-scenes photos from worship preparations and services, offering a closer look at the people and moments that shaped our time together. Click here to explore the gallery and reflections.

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ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, 2025 Churchwide AssemblyComment
New Training, Events, and Music from Our Worship Partners
New Training, Events, and Music from Our Worship Partners

ELCA Worship’s August update features new resources, events, and opportunities from Lutheran and ecumenical partners. Highlights include the re-designed Journey to Baptismal Living website, LSM 2025 On Demand with 30+ concerts and worship services, and Music That Makes Community events this fall and winter. Other opportunities include the Vi Messerli Memorial Lectures in Church Music (Oct. 19–21, Illinois) and the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians’ 40th Anniversary Gathering (July 2026, St. Olaf College). Click here to learn more and explore these offerings.

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ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardELCA WorshipComment
How Your Congregation Can Support People with Dementia—Register for August Workshop
How Your Congregation Can Support People with Dementia—Register for August Workshop

Join the August 21 workshop Creating a Dementia-Friendly Congregation, led by Dr. Kristin Mauk and sponsored by the Lutheran Faith Community Nurse Association. Open to nurses and non-nurses, this online event equips participants with evidence-based tools and Christ-centered strategies to better support people living with dementia and their families. Registration is $30–$50 and includes 2.0 nursing contact hours. Register at lutheranfcna.org/event-6168932.

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ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardDementia, Lutheran Faith Community Nurse Association (LFCNA)Comment
Free August Events from ELCA Coaching: Support, Skills, and Sacred Connection
Free August Events from ELCA Coaching: Support, Skills, and Sacred Connection

Explore a variety of free ELCA Coaching events this August, including gatherings on healing, truth-telling, and faith practice. Upcoming highlights include “Creating Beloved Community” sessions each Wednesday and “Decolonizing Worship” on August 29. Registration is also open for coaching trainings beginning in August and September. Learn more and register at elcacoaching.org/events.

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ELCA, News, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardCoaching, ELCA CoachingComment
Register Now: Upcoming Zoom Sessions for 2026 ELCA-Primary Health Plan Updates
Register Now: Upcoming Zoom Sessions for 2026 ELCA-Primary Health Plan Updates

Major changes are coming to all ELCA-Primary Health Plan options in 2026. Rostered ministers, lay staff, and congregational leaders are invited to two live Zoom sessions on Wednesday, August 27, and Thursday, August 28, to learn about the updates and how to prepare for Annual Enrollment. Sessions are not recorded, so advance registration is required. Times and registration links are included.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardPorticoComment
Your Input Matters: Support Youth and Family Ministry by Completing This Survey
Your Input Matters: Support Youth and Family Ministry by Completing This Survey

The Synod Youth Advisory Team invites all congregations to complete a brief survey about youth, children, and family ministry in your context. Help us build a synod-wide picture of what’s happening with young people—from Pre-K to post-high school—and share contact information so we can connect, support, and grow together. Take the Survey Now: Grand Canyon Youth Ministry Survey.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardYouth and Young Adult, Synod Youth Advisory Team (SYAT)Comment
New Youth & Family Ministry Hub Launches: Explore, Equip, Empower
New Youth & Family Ministry Hub Launches: Explore, Equip, Empower

Our new Youth and Family Ministry page is live! Discover resources for faith formation, summer programs, Safe Church policies, and national initiatives like TENx10. Meet our Synod Youth Advisory Team and explore how we equip young people and families to grow in faith and leadership. Visit gcsynod.org/youth-family to get started. 

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardSynod Youth Advisory Team (SYAT), Youth and Young AdultComment
Strengthen Your Roots: Join the “Love Our Neighbors” Online Cohort
Strengthen Your Roots: Join the “Love Our Neighbors” Online Cohort

Join the Love Our Neighbors Online Cohort launching this fall from LEAD. Designed for teams of congregational leaders curious about neighborhood ministry, this five-session series will explore holy listening, Scripture, and community-rooted action. Registration closes August 15. Sessions begin September 4. Learn more at leadconnects.org.

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News, Grand Canyon Synod, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardLEADComment
Register Now: Upcoming Zoom Sessions for 2026 ELCA-Primary Health Plan Updates
Register Now: Upcoming Zoom Sessions for 2026 ELCA-Primary Health Plan Updates

Major changes are coming to all ELCA-Primary Health Plan options in 2026. Rostered ministers, lay staff, and congregational leaders are invited to two live Zoom sessions on Wednesday, August 27, and Thursday, August 28, to learn about the updates and how to prepare for Annual Enrollment. Sessions are not recorded, so advance registration is required. Times and registration links are included.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardPorticoComment
Worship Tools to Enrich Every Sunday: New Resources from Augsburg Fortress
Worship Tools to Enrich Every Sunday: New Resources from Augsburg Fortress

Discover newly released worship resources from Augsburg Fortress, including hymn accompaniments, prayers, and reflections on Lutheran liturgical life. Highlights include Joining in Glad Adoration, Vol. 2, Pray, Praise, and Give Thanks, and a refreshed edition of Baptized, We Live by Daniel Erlander. Plus, help celebrate the five-year anniversary of All Creation Sings by sharing a photo and testimonial by August 15 for a chance to win a $150 gift card. Click here to explore the full August resource roundup on the ELCA Worship blog.

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Grand Canyon Synod, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardWorship Resources, ELCA WorshipComment
How Your Congregation Can Support People with Dementia—Register for August Workshop
How Your Congregation Can Support People with Dementia—Register for August Workshop

Join the August 21 workshop Creating a Dementia-Friendly Congregation, led by Dr. Kristin Mauk and sponsored by the Lutheran Faith Community Nurse Association. Open to nurses and non-nurses, this online event equips participants with evidence-based tools and Christ-centered strategies to better support people living with dementia and their families. Registration is $30–$50 and includes 2.0 nursing contact hours. Register at lutheranfcna.org/event-6168932.

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ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardDementia, Lutheran Faith Community Nurse Association (LFCNA)Comment
From Scarcity to Abundance: Discovering the Gifts Your Church Already Has
From Scarcity to Abundance: Discovering the Gifts Your Church Already Has

Feeling like your church doesn’t have enough? Join a free webinar on Thursday, Aug. 14 at 6 p.m. Central (4 p.m. AZ)to discover the hidden resources your congregation already holds. Learn from the Kaleidoscope Institute how currencies of relationship, truth, and more can help us move from a mindset of scarcity to one of abundance. No registration required—just click to join.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardStewardship, GCS Stewardship TeamComment
Grow in Faith and Leadership This Fall with Thriving Leadership Formation
Grow in Faith and Leadership This Fall with Thriving Leadership Formation

New fall programming from Thriving Leadership Formation invites you into deeper connection and growth—with free and low-cost online offerings for church leaders, ministry teams, and spiritual seekers. From weekly Lectio Divina and monthly spiritual practice gatherings to a new Enneagram panel series and team-building workshops, there’s something for everyone this season. Read the full newsletter →

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Region 2, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardThriving Leadership Formation ProgramComment
2025 ELCA Hunger Education Grants Now Open: Apply by Sept. 15
2025 ELCA Hunger Education Grants Now Open: Apply by Sept. 15

The 2025 cycle for ELCA World Hunger Education and Networking Grants is now open, with applications accepted from August 4 through September 15. These grants—typically between $500 and $1,000—support educational and networking projects that help ELCA congregations, synods, and partners deepen understanding and engagement around the root causes of hunger and poverty. Projects can include workshops, climate justice education, youth service learning, or synod-wide awareness events.

Eligible applicants must be 501(c)3 organizations or work with a fiscal agent like a synod office. To apply, pre-register at ELCA GrantMaker (approval may take up to 10 business days). Click here for full grant details and application links.

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ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, News, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardGrants, Hunger, ELCA World Hunger Domestic Hunger GrantsComment
Free August Events from ELCA Coaching: Support, Skills, and Sacred Connection
Free August Events from ELCA Coaching: Support, Skills, and Sacred Connection

Explore a variety of free ELCA Coaching events this August, including gatherings on healing, truth-telling, and faith practice. Upcoming highlights include “Creating Beloved Community” sessions each Wednesday and “Decolonizing Worship” on August 29. Registration is also open for coaching trainings beginning in August and September. Learn more and register at elcacoaching.org/events.

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ELCA, News, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardCoaching, ELCA CoachingComment
Not Just a Conference: TENx10 Summit is A Convergence for Youth Discipleship
Not Just a Conference: TENx10 Summit is A Convergence for Youth Discipleship

Join over 500 leaders from across denominations at the TENx10 Summit in Atlanta, October 8–10, 2025. This unique gathering invites passionate changemakers to reimagine how the Church forms faith in young people. Earlybird registration ends August 26. Learn more at tenx10summit.org.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardYouth and Young Adult, Synod Youth Advisory Team (SYAT), Tenx10Comment
When Pastoral Call Meets Personnel Challenges: New Training Starts Soon
When Pastoral Call Meets Personnel Challenges: New Training Starts Soon

Stepping Up to Supervision is a practical, faith-based leadership training designed to help ministry leaders supervise with clarity and care, while staying rooted in their pastoral identity. Led by author and coach Rev. Susan Beaumont, this live online training runs August 5–19 and includes 9 contact hours, a comprehensive workbook, and year-long access to all materials. Scholarships available.

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Grand Canyon Synod, News, Leader ResourcesBrian Flatgardfaith+leadComment
Why Liturgy Matters Now: Join Us in Minneapolis This August
Why Liturgy Matters Now: Join Us in Minneapolis This August

Registration is still open for the inaugural Seminar on Lutheran Liturgy, August 13–15 in Minneapolis. Join clergy, musicians, and lay leaders from across the country to explore how liturgy forms faithful leadership and serves as a counter to Christian Nationalism. Registration closes August 1. Learn more and register now at: seminarliturgy.org/event-list.

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Grand Canyon Synod, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardSeminar on Lutheran LiturgyComment