Keith Christensen, principal gifts officer at Mayo Clinic and member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Greene, Iowa, shares how his Lutheran faith shapes his calling in development and stewardship. With a legacy rooted in ELCA colleges, lifelong church involvement, and a commitment to generous leadership, Christensen reflects on listening, asking, and living out God’s call with humility and purpose. Click here to read the full story in Living Lutheran: I’m a Lutheran: Keith Christensen.
Read MoreIn A Liberation Theology of the Brain, Carmelo Santos-Rolón—ELCA theologian and former neuroscience instructor—invites us into a powerful dialogue between science and theology. Drawing on neuroscience and liberation theology, he explores how systems of oppression are encoded in our emotions and behaviors, and how the word of God can liberate us, body and mind. His insights point to a church that not only proclaims healing but practices it through dialogue, community, and transformation. Click here to read the full interview in Living Lutheran: Neuroscience and decolonial theology.
Read MoreShauna Hannan has been named president of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC), effective July 1. With a background in pastoral ministry, homiletics, and theological education, Hannan brings deep experience and a bold vision for equipping leaders in a changing church and world. She describes LSTC’s commitment to justice, peace, and care for creation as “more vital now than ever.”
Hannan looks forward to building on the seminary’s legacy alongside LSTC’s community to ensure long-term sustainability and joyful service to God’s beloved world. Click here to read the full article on Living Lutheran.
Read MorePresiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton’s daughter, Beckah Selnick, offers a heartfelt reflection on a life and ministry rooted in the sacred intersection of the ordinary and extraordinary. From late nights in the sacristy to leadership on the global stage, Bishop Eaton has modeled a ministry of presence, resilience, and grace. Click here to read the full article on Living Lutheran: Ordinary and extraordinary.
Read MoreAt Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska, the Office of Campus Ministry and Spiritual Wellness is responding to the crisis of loneliness among young adults with intentional, Spirit-led programs. From guided meditation to family-style community meals and service opportunities, students are finding a place where they are “noticed, named, and known.” Their experience reflects the heart of ELCA campus ministry—cultivating love, building community, and offering a sense of home. Click here to read more on Living Lutheran.
Read MoreBishop-elect Benjamin Quanbeck, chosen to lead the Montana Synod beginning September 1, brings a leadership vision grounded in trust, collaboration, and gospel-centered hope. In an interview with Living Lutheran, Quanbeck emphasized supporting congregations and leaders with the tools they need to thrive—and letting the Spirit lead from there. His mantra, “people over programs,” shapes his pastoral and adaptive approach to ministry. Get to know his vision, values, and hopes for the synod by reading the full interview in Living Lutheran —click here.
Read MoreThe Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church (CRLC) has released its final report ahead of the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, offering a bold roadmap for structural reform grounded in equity, inclusion, and the gospel. Key recommendations include constitutional amendments, support for lay leadership, and commitments to dismantling racism. As our synod prepares to send voting members to Phoenix, this is a critical moment to reflect on who we are—and who we are called to become. Click here to read the full article in Living Lutheran.
Read MoreMeet Ritu Rishidev, an 18-year-old student from Nepal’s marginalized Musahar community, who is rising as a powerful advocate for women’s rights and social justice. Supported through a Lutheran-led training in human rights and advocacy—organized by the Lutheran Community Welfare Society and funded by the ELCA—Ritu is now a bold voice speaking out against gender-based violence and discrimination. To read more about Ritu’s inspiring journey and the Lutheran support behind her work, click here.
Read MoreIn Living Lutheran, ELCA deacon and campus chaplain Mindy Holland invites us to rediscover the power and possibility of prayer—not only in our worship spaces but in every moment of our lives. Reflecting on 1 Thessalonians 5:17, she urges us to “pray without ceasing,” letting prayer become as natural as breathing. From formal liturgy to whispered blessings, barefoot gratitude to courageous intercession, Holland reminds us that prayer transforms not only the world but ourselves. As the ELCA prepares for key elections, she encourages intentional prayer for our leaders and discernment for the future. Click here to read the full article at Living Lutheran.
Read MoreThe North Carolina Synod has elected its first woman bishop, the Rev. Emily Hartner, who brings a bold vision of abundance and creative collaboration to her new role. With experience across a variety of ministry contexts and a deep love for her home synod, Hartner encourages congregations and leaders to share their gifts freely to meet one another’s needs.
She begins her term August 1 and will be installed on November 15. To learn more about her leadership perspective and hope-filled vision for the future of the church, click here to read the full interview from Living Lutheran.
Read MorePhilip Hirsch, newly elected bishop of the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod, shares a bold and hopeful vision for the future of the ELCA—one that both honors our Lutheran roots and embraces Spirit-led innovation. Drawing from a lifetime of leadership across the church and a passion for justice and inclusion, Hirsch lifts up the urgent need to reach new generations, name systemic barriers, and return to the heart of the gospel. His leadership begins this fall, and his insights reflect key themes identified by over 11,000 ELCA members nationwide. Click here to read the full Living Lutheran interview.
Read MorePeter Strickland, general manager of BMG Music Group in Nashville and a longtime member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Franklin, Tennessee, reflects on his faith, family, and vocation in the high-paced music industry. From launching Blake Shelton’s career to producing Jimmy Fallon’s Grammy-winning album, Strickland shares how his Lutheran values—grace, integrity, and community—guide both his leadership and life. Click here to read the full feature in Living Lutheran.
Read MoreOn July 1, Augsburg Fortress released The Lutheran Study Bible, Second Edition, a fully updated resource featuring the NRSVue translation, revised articles, and insights from over 50 ELCA pastors and scholars. With fresh perspectives on Jewish-Christian relations, updated notes on biblical figures, and new study tools like “Together by Grace: Bible Conversations,” this edition invites readers into a deeper, more inclusive engagement with Scripture. Click here to read the full interview with co-editor Laurie J. Hanson in Living Lutheran.
Read MoreIn her deeply personal reflection, Elise Seyfried invites us to rediscover our shared humanity through a simple, sacred act: writing a letter to a stranger. Drawing on Lutheran theology and real-life encounters, she challenges us to move past fear and isolation toward connection, empathy, and prayer. Click here to read her full essay on Living Lutheran.
Read MoreTechnicolor Ministries is transforming the Southwestern Texas Synod by creating faithful, affirming spaces where LGBTQIA+ people are fully welcomed as God created them. Launched by Keats Miles-Wallace with the support of Bishop Sue Briner, this grassroots effort offers campouts, congregation visits, and community for those too often marginalized in church.
The ministry models the radical inclusivity of Christ, affirming that no one should have to choose between their identity and their faith. Click here to read the full story from Living Lutheran.
Read MoreCan we pick and choose when it comes to belief? ELCA pastors Emmy Kegler and Natalia Terfa think we can—and must. Through their podcast Cafeteria Christian, the two rostered ministers explore how faith can be lived authentically even amid doubt, rejection of harmful traditions, or questions about organized religion. They speak candidly about their experiences, theological roots in Lutheranism, and the deep desire for a more sincere, inclusive, and justice-centered faith practice.
Whether you’re a longtime listener or just discovering their work, their story offers insight into what it means to “do faith better” while staying rooted in grace and love. Click here to read the full article in Living Lutheran.
Read MoreIn a post-election world still marked by anxiety and division, Pastor Aaron Fuller challenges us to move beyond sky-gazing and step into action. Drawing on the story of Jesus’ ascension, he reminds us that living faithfully means participating in Christ’s work here and now. It’s not about waiting—it’s about witnessing. Click here to read the full reflection from Living Lutheran.
Read MoreJillian Russell blends two callings—outdoor ministry and emergency response—into a life of deep service and faith. From summer camp counselor to firefighter/EMT, Jillian shares how her congregation’s radical hospitality shaped her leadership and how she continues to live out her faith in diverse ways. She reminds us that grace isn’t confined to church walls and that intentional relationships are at the heart of Lutheran identity. Click here to read her story on Living Lutheran.
Read MoreOn a Southern California beach and around a campus firepit, Concordia College campus pastors David and Kim Adams witnessed the sacred emerge in the ordinary. In this moving reflection, they share stories of student encounters with God—through Ash Wednesday ashes in a parking lot, communion shared under autumn skies, and raw conversations sparked by tragedy and trust. These moments remind us that campus ministry continues to be a vital space for hospitality, spiritual exploration, and hope. Click here to read the full article on Living Lutheran.
Read MoreThe Lutheran Church in Australia and New Zealand (LCANZ) has ordained women as pastors for the first time, following a landmark decision last fall to allow the ordination of women. Maria Rudolph and Sue Westhorp were ordained this spring to serve congregations in Perth and Box Hill, respectively. This historic move affirms the LCANZ’s commitment to recognizing the gifts of all whom God calls, regardless of gender, and aligns with broader movements within the Lutheran World Federation. Click here to read the full article on Living Lutheran.
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