Posts in Leader Resources
“No More Stolen Sisters”: ELCA Toolkit Guides May 5 MMIW Observance
“No More Stolen Sisters”: ELCA Toolkit Guides May 5 MMIW Observance

May 5, 2026 is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Relatives (MMIWGR). The ELCA invites congregations and leaders to participate by wearing red, sharing resources, and engaging in prayer, learning, and advocacy. A new toolkit provides practical ways to take part and extend awareness beyond a single day.

Rooted in our call to justice and solidarity, this is an opportunity for the Grand Canyon Synod to stand with Indigenous communities, honor those who are missing, and support ongoing efforts for healing and change.

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ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardELCA Indigenous Ministries and Tribal Relations, MMIW, Church and SocietyComment
Be Still and Be Renewed: Registration Opens for NAES/ELEA 2026 Conference
Be Still and Be Renewed: Registration Opens for NAES/ELEA 2026 Conference

Registration is now open for the NAES/ELEA Biennial Conference 2026, happening November 18–20 in Los Angeles. Centered on Psalm 46:10, this national gathering offers keynote speaker Dr. Lisa Miller, worship with Presiding Bishop Sean W. Rowe, 60+ workshops, and service opportunities—all designed to renew and equip faith-based education leaders.

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ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardEvangelical Lutheran Education Association (ELEA)Comment
A Sacred Journey: Faith, Aging, and Care at LFCNA’s Annual Educational Event
A Sacred Journey: Faith, Aging, and Care at LFCNA’s Annual Educational Event

The Lutheran Faith Community Nurse Association invites you to its 5th Annual Valborg Tollefsrud Educational Event, Holy Transitions: Spirituality, Aging, and the Work of Accompaniment, on May 7 (5–7 pm MT via Zoom). Led by Rev. Dr. Lorraine Leist, this two-hour session explores aging as a deeply spiritual journey shaped by loss, meaning, resilience, and hope.

Open to Faith Community Nurses, clergy, lay leaders, and all who care for others, this event offers theological reflection and practical insight into accompanying people with dignity in later life. Register today.

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ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardLutheran Faith Community Nurse Association (LFCNA), ElderlyComment
Save the Date: Executive Skills for Church Leaders Returns in 2027
Save the Date: Executive Skills for Church Leaders Returns in 2027

Executive Skills for Church Leaders returns January 4–8, 2027, at Spirit in the Desert in Carefree, Arizona. This leadership development experience equips rostered ministers and lay leaders with practical skills for today’s ministry context. Join the interest list now to receive early updates and registration access: bit.ly/ExecSkills27.

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Grand Canyon Synod, Region 2, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardThriving Leadership Formation ProgramComment
Rest. Renewal. Inspiration. Experience CWTA at St. Olaf College
Rest. Renewal. Inspiration. Experience CWTA at St. Olaf College

The 2026 Conference on Worship, Theology, and the Arts (CWTA) will be held July 20–22, 2026, at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. Designed for ministry practitioners and by ministry practitioners, this high-quality, affordable conference focuses on nourishing vocation through worship, theology, music, the arts, and spiritual renewal.

With programming centered on “Nourishing Vocation Every Time, Age, and Place,” CWTA offers practical ideas, daily worship, networking, and rest for pastors, deacons, musicians, lay leaders, and ministry partners. Learn more and register at wp.stolaf.edu/cwta/.

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Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardSt. Olaf CollegeComment
Register Now: ELCA Rostered Ministers Gathering Set for July 6–9 in Indianapolis
Register Now: ELCA Rostered Ministers Gathering Set for July 6–9 in Indianapolis

The 2026 Rostered Ministers Gathering will take place July 6–9 in Indianapolis, inviting pastors, deacons, bishops, and candidates for call into a time of renewal, connection, and reflection under the theme “Woven Together.” Registration is open through June 5, with early and regular pricing available.

Featuring worship, workshops, keynote speakers, and opportunities for fellowship, the gathering offers space to reconnect with colleagues and be renewed for ministry. Participants may also contribute to a shared fabric art project, symbolizing the diverse stories woven together across the ELCA.

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ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian Flatgard2026 Rostered Ministers GatheringComment
Faith Lens: Awe and Belonging
Faith Lens: Awe and Belonging

The April 26 Faith Lens reflection, Awe and Belonging, explores Acts of the Apostles 2:42–47 and the early Christian community where “no one was in need.” Rather than beginning with rules or expectations, this community was formed through awe at God’s presence—an awe that led to deep sharing, trust, and belonging. The reflection challenges common assumptions about faith, inviting us to see that authentic Christian community is rooted not in human effort, but in encountering Christ already at work among us.

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ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardFaith Lens, 2026 Lent and EasterComment
April 29 Zoom Event: Completing the ELCA DEI Learning Journey
April 29 Zoom Event: Completing the ELCA DEI Learning Journey

The fourth and final ELCA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion learning module will take place Wednesday, April 29 via Zoom. Featuring Rev. Dr. Andrea L. Walker and Rev. Sonja Ware, this 90-minute session will integrate previous learning, explore bias in coaching, and include a live Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) demonstration. Advance registration is required.

This concluding session invites faith leaders to move from awareness to action, equipping them to embody DEI principles in ministry and coaching contexts. Recordings of previous modules are available for those who wish to prepare or review.

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ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardCoaching, ELCA CoachingComment
Leadership in Difficult Times: Registration Now Open for Faith+Lead Certificate Cohort
Leadership in Difficult Times: Registration Now Open for Faith+Lead Certificate Cohort

Registration is now open for Leadership in Difficult Times, a guided certificate cohort from Faith+Lead running April 28–July 28, 2026. This live, four-session experience equips leaders with practical skills and spiritual grounding to lead faithfully amid division and uncertainty. Open to rostered and lay leaders alike, the cohort meets monthly on Zoom and offers scholarships. Learn more and enroll at faithlead.org.

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Grand Canyon Synod, Leader ResourcesBrian Flatgardfaith+lead, Lay LeadershipoComment
“You Are Worthy”: Apply for a Grand Canyon Synod Scholarship to the 2026 Triennial
“You Are Worthy”: Apply for a Grand Canyon Synod Scholarship to the 2026 Triennial

The Grand Canyon Women of the ELCA are offering four scholarships to attend the Women of the ELCA Triennial Gathering, July 16–19, 2026, in Des Moines, Iowa. Each scholarship covers registration plus $500 toward travel and lodging.

Applications are due April 1, 2026, with notifications sent by April 15. Congregations are encouraged to share this opportunity widely. Learn more about the Gathering and how to apply today.

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ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardWomen of the ELCA (WELCA), Grand Canyon WomenComment
Leading in Changing Times: April Resources from Faith+Lead
Leading in Changing Times: April Resources from Faith+Lead

Faith+Lead’s April roundup offers timely courses, leadership cohorts, and free resources to equip leaders for ministry in changing times. From the “God and” series on pastoral care to lay leadership training and a new certificate cohort, these opportunities support faithful, adaptive leadership across our congregations.

Explore the full roundup—including podcasts, an ebook, and preaching resources—and take your next faithful step in ministry.

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Leader ResourcesBrian Flatgardfaith+lead, Luther SeminaryComment
Worship Leaders: April Resources, Conferences, and Opportunities from ELCA Partners
Worship Leaders: April Resources, Conferences, and Opportunities from ELCA Partners

ELCA Worship’s April update gathers key opportunities for worship leaders, musicians, and planners across the church. Highlights include the  2026 conference at St. Olaf College, the  annual conference in Princeton (July 19–22), and Lutheran Summer Music’s ongoing formation through faith and music.

Additional opportunities include student awards from the , with deadlines of May 1 and June 1. These resources support the church’s shared calling to nurture worship that is rooted in Word, song, and community. Read more at ELCA.org.

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ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardELCA WorshipComment
Faith Lens: Peace Be With You
Faith Lens: Peace Be With You

In this week’s Faith Lens reflection on John 20:19–31, we encounter disciples paralyzed by fear and uncertainty—until the risen Christ appears with a simple but transformative message: “Peace be with you.” Though their circumstances do not immediately change, Jesus’ presence reshapes their fear into purpose, empowering them to move forward in faith.

As we pray for peace in a world marked by violence and division, this reflection reminds us that Christ’s peace is not passive—it sends us out. Grounded in hope and trust in God’s presence, we are called to embody that peace in our congregations, communities, and daily lives: “Let there be peace on earth—and let it begin with us.”

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ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardFaith Lens, 2026 Lent and EasterComment