Posts in Leader Resources
Three Sides Podcast: Little Steps, Big Faith
Three Sides Podcast: Little Steps, Big Faith

In this episode of the Three Sides podcast we speak with Dawn Rundman, author of “Little Steps, Big Faith: How the Science of Early Childhood Development Can Help You Grow Your Child’s Faith.”

Rundman discusses the science behind children’s brain development in the first five years of life and how to use this scientific insight in faith formation with daily practices for parents.  She also provides insight into how congregations can create an inviting environment for children to experience God. 

Rundman’s book is available from Beaming Books.

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Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardThree Sides Podcast, Living LutheranComment
Faith Lens: Transforming moments
Faith Lens: Transforming moments

What event has shaped and changed your life more than any other?

Transforming Moments: Yet again the nation is dealing with a school shooting, this time on the campus of UNC-Charlotte.  On May 1, a young man entered a classroom and began shooting.  Two were killed and four were wounded.  Police were unclear as to the possible motives of the shooter. Read more»

Faith Lens features weekly bible studies that engage youth and young adults in connecting world events with the Bible, faith, and everyday life.

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ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardComment
June Stewardship Toolkit available
June Stewardship Toolkit available

The Rev. Robert C. Blezard continues to provide a “Stewardship Toolkit” for congregations. This month’s theme: Develop a heart of generosity..

It consists of an original newsletter article and RCL-based “stewardship snippets” that they can cut and paste into their publications. It also has resources to explore the theme set out in the newsletter article.

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Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardComment
Faith Lens: More than Conquerors
Faith Lens: More than Conquerors

A familiar Easter hymn calls Jesus the “risen conqu’ring Son.”  In Romans 8 Paul says we are “more than conquerors” through Christ.  In a world which has much tragedy and suffering, what does Paul mean? Are we really more than conquerors?  How? Read more»

Faith Lens features weekly bible studies that engage youth and young adults in connecting world events with the Bible, faith, and everyday life.

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ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardComment
May Stewardship Toolkit available
May Stewardship Toolkit available

The Rev. Robert C. Blezard continues to provide a “Stewardship Toolkit” for congregations. This month’s theme: Stewardship of community.

It consists of an original newsletter article and RCL-based “stewardship snippets” that they can cut and paste into their publications. It also has resources to explore the theme set out in the newsletter article.

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Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardComment
Faith Lens: Hope in the Ruins
Faith Lens: Hope in the Ruins

As these words are written, the fire in Notre Dame, the historic cathedral in the heart of Paris, has finally been brought under control. Memorable scenes of the day include the silhouette of the church against the towering flames, the tall spire collapsing, and mourners praying as they watched in horror. Read more»

Faith Lens features weekly bible studies that engage youth and young adults in connecting world events with the Bible, faith, and everyday life.

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ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardComment
Lenten Stories: With women in power, malaria doesn’t stand a chance
Lenten Stories: With women in power, malaria doesn’t stand a chance

It is easy to think of malaria prevention as simply providing mosquito nets for prevention and medicine to those who have fallen ill. But there’s much more to it than that.

Burure is in the Gokwe Region of Zimbabwe, bordered by rivers that are notoriously difficult to cross during the rainy season. It is an area that has been plagued by outbreaks of malaria in the past. It is one of the most remote areas served by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe (ELCZ).

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ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian Flatgard2020 LentComment
Three Sides Podcast: Church in Community
Three Sides Podcast: Church in Community

In this episode of the Three Sides podcast we focus on the unique partnerships that exist among three distinct congregations in Rockford, Ill.

The three pastors share the motivation behind the creation of these partnerships, the joys of being in ministry together and the challenges they’ve encountered along the way. Each discusses how their congregations have adapted over time to respond to the needs of both their immediate communities and the larger community they share.

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Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardThree Sides Podcast, Living LutheranComment
Lenten Stories: One lifeline that never goes away
Lenten Stories: One lifeline that never goes away

St. Matthew Trinity Lutheran Church’s Lunchtime Ministry offers a warm meal, hospitality and community to neighbors in Hoboken, N.J.

The ministry serves about 65 people per day. In addition to meals, they offer free haircuts, music and a sense of community. Stanley Enzweiler, the program manager, said while different things bring people there, the only requirement is respect for the space and the people around them.

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ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian Flatgard2020 LentComment
Lenten Study: Week 5
Lenten Study: Week 5

Lent carries us with the Hebrews in search of the promised land, with Jesus into the wilderness and, ultimately, to the cross at Calvary. It is a somber season in the church year, so somber, in fact, that by the end, Christians will have gone 40 days without hearing “Alleluia” during worship. There is no other time during the church year when language in worship is so circumscribed as this. Many congregations even practice the tradition of “burying the Alleluia” at the start of the season, a ritual with ties going back to the Middle Ages by some estimates.

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ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian Flatgard2020 LentComment