Journal of Lutheran Ethics, October/November edition
Journal of Lutheran Ethics, October/November edition

Journal of Lutheran Ethics (JLE) is a free, bimonthly, ecclesial online publication living out the Lutheran tradition of addressing social issues theologically, using the resources of historical, theological, and ethical tradition, biblical interpretation, and social sciences.

In an age of conflict and division between political parties and within political parties, between churches and within churches, American Christians often mourn disagreement, regret the diversity of opinion, and sigh for unity. This issue looks into the reality of disagreement in our nation and in our churches without rebuke. Disagreement, even radical and even uncivil disagreement, is a part of human social life, including church life. Thus, this issue is dedicated to answering the following question both theologically and practically: How do we have dialogue and debate on social and political issues with our neighbors?

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ELCABrian FlatgardComment
ELCA Church Council welcomes 23 new members
ELCA Church Council welcomes 23 new members

The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) met at the Lutheran Center in Chicago, Nov. 7-10. Twenty-three new members, elected by the 2019 Churchwide Assembly, were welcomed. The council serves as the ELCA's board of directors and interim legislative authority between meetings of the Churchwide Assembly.

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ELCABrian FlatgardComment
Living Lutheran: The cost of nondiscipleship
Living Lutheran: The cost of nondiscipleship

In The Great Omission: Rediscovering Jesus’s Essential Teachings on Discipleship, author Dallas Willard examines the work of Dietrich Bonhoeffer—in particular, the German theologian’s venerated book The Cost of Discipleship. Willard concludes that the cost of “nondiscipleship” is even higher: “In short, it costs exactly that abundance of life Jesus said he came to bring.”

In his many temple talks, Jesus undoubtedly rubbed his listeners the wrong way. He didn’t sugarcoat the terrors, torments or trials of discipleship. But he also encouraged them not to crumble when persecuted for his sake because God sees their hearts.

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ELCA, Living LutheranBrian FlatgardComment
Apply for the 2020 Contemplative Renewal Cohort @ Holy Wisdom Monastery
Apply for the 2020 Contemplative Renewal Cohort @ Holy Wisdom Monastery

The Ecumenical Center for Clergy Spiritual Renewal (ECCSR) hosts a two-year “Contemplative Renewal” for early and mid-career clergy. The cohort of 19 men and women will discover renewal through the rhythms of prayer, Benedictine spirituality and community at Holy Wisdom Monastery, an ecumenical monastery outside of Madison, WI. 

Early and mid-career ordained pastors, currently serving half-time or more in a congregational setting, are invited to apply for the next cohort, to begin in July of 2020. Funded by a Thriving in Ministry Grant from the Lilly Endowment, this unique experience is available at no cost. For more information: www.holywisdommonastery.org/eccsr.

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Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardComment
Lessons from Lutheran Campus Ministry Network's two-year research study
Lessons from Lutheran Campus Ministry Network's two-year research study

Roland Martinson, professor emeritus of Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., was a lead researcher for the Lutheran Campus Ministry Study. He said the results reveal that Lutheran campus ministries make an impact, and the most common characteristic students referenced as being transformative was the sense of a quality, anchoring community. In fact, 97% of students said Lutheran campus ministry provides a welcoming, inclusive and safe place.

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Lutheran Campus Ministry, ELCABrian FlatgardComment
Faith Lens: End of the World as We Know it
Faith Lens: End of the World as We Know it

A lot of television and film media use the end of the world as a setting or plot point to tell a story. The Day After Tomorrow details the end of the world with the onset of a second ice age, while Seeking a Friend for the End of the World follows two characters who are spending their last days on earth before an asteroid hits, finding what really matters in the end. Other post-apocalyptic media tackle what life is like if you happen to survive some cataclysmic event. The Walking Dead tells this tale using a zombie apocalypse as a catalyst while The Hunger Games examines how power can corrupt and consume life while desperately attempting to preserve it. 

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ELCABrian FlatgardFaith Lens Comment
Church Mutual updates risk management resource page
Church Mutual updates risk management resource page

Church Mutual has posted a new resource on tips for managing risk for sanctuary congregations, which can be found here: https://www.churchmutual.com/13471/Providing-safe-harbor

As a reminder, Church Mutual makes its safety resources available to all ELCA congregations, and links to them can be found on our Risk Management page on the ELCA site: https://www.elca.org/About/Churchwide/Office-of-the-Secretary/Risk-Management

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ELCA, Leader ResourcesBrian FlatgardComment
Prayers for Mountain View Lutheran, Ahwatukee, AZ
Prayers for Mountain View Lutheran, Ahwatukee, AZ

We pray for Mountain View Lutheran Church, a Christ-centered, multi-generational church located in the heart of Ahwatukee.

We lift up the staff: Pastor Glenn Zorb, Senior Pastor; Pastor Annemarie Burke, Associate Pastor of Worship and Administration; Pastor Chris Heller, Pastor of Youth & Family Ministry And Discipleship; Mary Adams, Preschool Director; Heather Cannon, Administrative Assistant; Andrew DeValk, Director of Music; Sandra DeValk, Organist; Doug Elliot, Assistant Worship Coordinator; Leslie Franzmeier, Bell Choir Director / Preschool Assistant; Gene Adele Hoge, Communications Coordinator; Kara Houser, Nursery Coordinator; Chris Mahon, Parish Nurse; Debbie Meshey, Children's Ministry Coordinator; Carol McKnight, Accountant; Rhonda Smith, Director of Administration; Carolyn Snyder, Children's Music Director; Mark Turner, Worship Coordinator; Judi Wold, Director of Hospitality & Events.

We give a prayer of thanks for the leadership of Mountain View’s church council: Chris Totten, President; Pat Ikeda Carper, Vice President; Carl Harnisch, Secretary; Michael Bentley, Treasurer; members Judy Berg, Jennifer Cooper, Tammy Foree, Wanda Kaehr, Cher Mikkelsen, Tegan Schlarman, Paul Scholl, and Jessica Bruns, Youth Representative.

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Fiesta Conference, PrayersBrian FlatgardMountain View PhoenixComment
Bishops reflect on military chaplaincy
Bishops reflect on military chaplaincy

This year, for the first time in the church’s history, the ELCA installed two synod bishops who are serving as reserve military chaplains. Michael Lozano is bishop of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod and a chaplain in the Army Reserve, and Bill Tesch is bishop of the Northwestern Minnesota Synod and a chaplain in the Air Force Reserve. Living Lutheran asked the bishops about their experiences as military chaplains and how congregations can care for service members and veterans.

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ELCA, Living LutheranBrian Flatgard Comment
Free Digital Book available from Rev. Dr. John H. Krahn
Free Digital Book available from Rev. Dr. John H. Krahn

Rev. Dr. John H. Krahn has written his twelfth book, available for free by emailing Pastor Krahn at krahns@msn.com.

For over fifty years now, Rev. Dr. John H. Krahn has been collecting great thoughts and quotations in order to improve both his preaching and his writing. He has decided to share the best of these in his twelfth book, Great Thoughts and Quotations for Christian Speakers and Writers.

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Brian FlatgardComment