At the U.S.-Mexico border, the Border Church brings people together for worship on both sides of the wall. Rooted in prayer, accompaniment, and a ministry of presence, the congregation serves migrants and asylum-seekers while witnessing to Christ’s call for peace and justice. Despite barriers and fear, this community testifies to unity in Christ and hope for a world without walls. Click here to read the full story at Living Lutheran.
Read MoreAn Ohio congregation has transformed a farmland bequest into an ongoing ministry that feeds both local and global communities. Since 2001, St. Mark Lutheran in Van Wert has dedicated all proceeds from its 100 acres to hunger ministries, raising tens of thousands each year to support food banks, shelters, ELCA World Hunger, and more. Rooted in the stewardship of Lutheran farmers, this model continues to multiply gifts for those in need. Click here to read the full story at Living Lutheran.
Read MoreEven in challenging times, hope shows up in the everyday witness of ELCA congregations and ministries. This roundup from Living Lutheran lifts up stories of resilience, leadership, and compassion—reminders that God is active through community and commitment. Click here to read the full feature.
Read MoreIn a new interview with Living Lutheran, author Kaethe Schwehn reflects on her novel The Gospel of Salome, a bold reimagining of biblical times through the lens of fiction. As a Lutheran writer and professor, Schwehn discusses the role of faith, storytelling, and vocation in shaping characters and communities. Click here to read the full interview.
Read MoreKendra Hernandez shares her story of faith shaped by church communities from Las Cruces to Budapest to Baltimore. A lifelong Lutheran and young adult leader, she reflects on finding belonging, serving through YAGM and Global Refuge, and discovering grace in action beyond Sunday mornings. Read her full story in Living Lutheran — click here to learn more.
Read MoreThe ELCA’s 1991 social statement The Church in Society: A Lutheran Perspective continues to guide how we live our baptismal promises in today’s complex world. Grounded in the gospel and Lutheran theology, the statement calls us to serve neighbors, advocate for justice, and respond with courage and compassion to society’s needs. Read Craig L. Nessan’s reflection in Living Lutheran—click here.
Read MoreFaith formation, like learning baseball, often requires giving children room to practice on their own. In her reflection, Erin Strybis encourages parents to “show up more, say less” and create opportunities for kids to encounter God’s presence in everyday life—whether through prayer under the stars, music on a road trip, or volunteering as a family. Explore practical, Spirit-led ways to nurture faith at home—click here.
Read MoreKristen Papson, recently elected bishop of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod, emphasizes the importance of trust, pastoral care, and creating safe spaces for conversation in guiding the church forward. Beginning her new call September 1 and with installation set for October 19, Papson reflects on leadership shaped by listening, humility, and collaboration. Read more from Living Lutheran about her vision for the synod’s future—click here.
Read MoreDespite perceptions that organ music is fading, organists and educators report a strong resurgence of interest in the instrument. Young musicians are pursuing advanced studies, congregations continue to request organists, and new generations are captivated by the instrument’s depth, variety, and spiritual power. Leaders emphasize that investing in church music programs—and recognizing music as vocation and calling—keeps congregations vibrant. The ancient organ continues to inspire worshippers and musicians alike. Click here to read more.
Read MoreThe ELCA is reshaping how future leaders are prepared for ministry, blending traditional seminary education with localized training, mentoring, and online learning. With nearly 60% of congregations averaging fewer than 50 in worship attendance, new models such as Theological Education for Emerging Ministries (TEEM) and Synod-Authorized Ministers (SAMs) are vital to serving smaller and diverse communities. Programs like Fund for Leaders are also expanding to support these emerging leaders. Together, these changes reflect a reclaiming of the Lutheran vision of the whole people of God in ministry. Click here to read more.
Read MoreElected bishop of the Western Iowa Synod, Scott Dalen brings a vision rooted in connection, presence, and the belief that God works through our “imperfectly good” lives. As he prepares to take office Sept. 1, Dalen shares hopes for collaboration among congregations, a commitment to realistic ministry within constraints, and a reminder that the church’s future depends on all of us working together. Read more in Living Lutheran.
Read MoreIn her August Growing Together reflection, ELCA pastor Kimberly Knowle-Zeller invites us to pause our rush toward what’s next and savor the gift of now. Drawing on Matthew 6:34, she shares practical ways to practice presence—whether it’s catching fireflies, watching sunsets, or going screen-free for a day. In a world eager to fast-forward, she reminds us that right now is the best place to be. Click here to read the full article at Living Lutheran.
Read MoreIn her August Growing Together reflection, ELCA pastor Kimberly Knowle-Zeller invites us to pause our rush toward what’s next and savor the gift of now. Drawing on Matthew 6:34, she shares practical ways to practice presence—whether it’s catching fireflies, watching sunsets, or going screen-free for a day. In a world eager to fast-forward, she reminds us that right now is the best place to be. Click here to read the full article at Living Lutheran.
Read MoreKeith 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.
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