The little children eagerly “run” down the aisle and kneel in anticipation of a simple grape. | more »
Congregational life
Maybe we don't know how to decorate for Pentecost, the way we do for Christmas. It's great to change the paraments to red. But we could do so much more. | more »
A creative idea at an ELCA congregation in Port Jervis, N.Y., is helping the community one pet at a time. | more »
A choir that includes the very young up to the not-so young can bring energy -- and just plain fun! -- to a worship service.
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Pastors find sabbaticals to be transformative experiences that strengthen and develop the clergy’s ability to serve the congregation. | more »
Emanuel Lutheran Church in West Warwick, R.I. was the first ELCA congregation powered by renewable energy. | more »
Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Seattle gives away the sky above their heads. | more »
The Lakota Lutheran Center is proud to be "a community of American Indian people who are serving those in need." | more »
How do we encounter that gift of abundant life in times of sickness? | more »
Turns out jobs and cars were a little more complicated than I first believed. Lawns? Forget it. Lawns have always been way beyond my control. | more »
Young adults in Alaska join with an ELCA congregation to fight hunger. | more »
Something is lost in the daily grind; pastors need to be replenished after a time of hard work. | more »
The ELCA's "Ventures in Growing Stewards" workshop is just one way David Kappus promotes stewardship in the ELCA Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod. | more »
“Certainly we’re remembering our history during this 25th anniversary, But even more profoundly, we’re planting the seeds for the next 25 years of ministry.” | more »
A worshiping community in northwest Wisconsin reaches out to those who “aren’t interested in walking into a church building.” | more »
A small ELCA congregation in Jacksonville, Fla., helps make a big difference through their donation to the ELCA Malaria Campaign. | more »
I share these stories with you because they shaped my humanity. Just as I, you had experiences in your life that fostered your desire to give. | more »
This is a valuable resource for anyone wanting to expand their understanding of the liturgy. | more »
Yesterday with members of my congregation’s outreach committee I attended two churches for worship to experience how these congregations welcome visitors and newcomers. | more »
“What would you do if you didn’t have the four walls and the container that basically makes ‘the us and the them’?” | more »
As I read the five core lessons, it became obvious to me that they contain helpful advice not just for small businesses but also for congregations. | more »
Outdoor-dining events offer a relaxed and carefree atmosphere; they also pose serious hidden health risks with the potential for making entire congregations ill.
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At Bread of Healing in Milwaukee, members are offered a hot meal, free health care and a powerful community. | more »
Congregations welcomed Secret Visitors into their midst in the Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Synod and helped all to “See Ourselves As Others Do.” | more »
A developing ELCA congregation in Brooklyn, N.Y., meets a hunger in the community. | more »
What would it be like if some of the people who talk to me, would talk to each other? What would it be like if we considered each other safe? | more »
Celebrate National Volunteer Appreciation Week by recognizing your volunteers and looking forward to “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday. | more »
Like all human bodies, the body of Christ that we call "church" needs to attend to its health or it may become ill.
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Here are some ways, with a few examples, of how to create emails that won’t be sent to the trash. | more »
Here are some ways a pastor and congregation can help those who are in the muddle or crisis of midlife. | more »
An ELCA congregation in Chicago connects with their artistic, urban community. | more »
Here are mistakes that undermine the engaging ministry presence leaders want to develop. | more »
Favorites are ones that “seem simple but are really effective.” | more »
My runner friends have been angry, and hurt and sad. I’ve been scared and struggling to process it all. | more »
Help families move beyond denial; acknowledge the devastating impact of the abuse on all family members. | more »
When anger is left unresolved, it intensifies and may be projected inward or outward to find an expression beyond reason. | more »
It encourages you to adopt tactics that don’t work. Forgiveness, for instance, doesn’t work. It doesn’t automatically repair relationships. | more »
Many ELCA congregations find themselves in a kind of exile, grieving for what they have lost.
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A recent Barna Research report finds that 55 percent of those surveyed read the Bible to be closer to God; down 9 percent (from 64 percent) in 2011.
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Kristina Johnson, 17 years old, mobilizes the youth of Hosanna Lutheran Church in Rochester, Minn., to fight hunger. | more »
Peace Lutheran Church in Milwaukee gets creative about stewardship. | more »
We love to ask questions, but sometimes we don’t like to listen to God’s answers. The disciples didn’t really want to listen, either. | more »
He is risen! He is risen! All now memory, a yesterday, boxed and put away, near the white lights and tinsel. | more »
No one expects a medical emergency at a congregational function, but everyone should be prepared. | more »
It’s time to challenge one another to learn to live in Christ. | more »
Here is a sampling of the past 500 years of Lutheranism. | more »
There are many opportunities for congregations to teach children about stewardship. | more »
Hope Lutheran Church in Rhodes, Mich., makes a point of sharing its blessings with neighbors. | more »
Our congregation has an “Investment in Ministry Plan,” not a budget. In our meetings and conversations, the leadership avoids the word “budget” and always speaks in ministry terms. | more »
Christians around the world gather to remember Jesus’ death and celebrate his resurrection. | more »
Follow these steps to put your new digital newsletter online. | more »
When planning a cookbook fundraiser, it’s important to follow this recipe for success. | more »
The Samaritans at Trinity Lutheran Church in Kissimmee, Fla., take on homelessness in Disney World’s backyard. | more »
At its heart, preaching is storytelling — whether it’s retelling the Bible stories or the story of what God is up to now in the world. | more »
I’m a lifelong Lutheran who enjoys our heritage greatly, but I believe it is time for a new emphasis on building bridges rather than living on islands. | more »
Updating a blog or a site may seem daunting and time consuming, but it is well worth the effort. | more »
As we approach our 25th anniversary in 2013, I am grateful we continue to wrestle with the mysteries of God, the life of Jesus, and the complex world we live in. | more »
Children at an Ohio congregation didn’t receive new Bibles from their congregation but rather slightly used — and as a result more meaningful — ones.
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One of the persistent questions we ask when we approach the Passion story is “why?” | more »
Each one of us has a yearly calendar of observations that weaves into the life of the congregation. | more »
Now more than ever, it is essential to have a well-designed and engaging site. | more »
Proclaiming the good news should go beyond sanctuary walls to reach those who don't yet believe. | more »
But we were all afraid of following Jesus at one time or another. We just didn't take such drastic measures as Judas did. | more »
I am grateful that our family has had conversations about the years when nobody (including me) was able to see the others clearly and compassionately. | more »
As much as I’d personally love seeing some singing rocks, Jesus reveals in his display of weakness, of humility and of non-violence the way that God does work. | more »
They are a gift of God’s love and, like that love, freely given.
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Potlucks can combat world hunger! | more »
Shekinah Chapel seeks to inspire youth and young adults through its performing arts and mentoring ministries. | more »
The Catacomb Churches in western Washington want to "to engage as saints and sinners, not as people with all the answers." | more »
The first step is to make a solid subscriber list. | more »
I agree with the idea that in order to survive — even thrive — in life, we have to make choices about where we spend our energy. | more »
Here is a list of interesting facts you might not have known about Joseph. Think about sharing them in Sunday school, Bible forums and home devotions. | more »
Disasters can happen at any time and place, often without warning, and it is vital for each of us to prepare ourselves. | more »
Ava Aigner, a 10-year-old, left vacation Bible school determined to make a difference. | more »
Here are some tips on making an ordination anniversary special. | more »
This time of the church’s year is laden with meaning for the Christian life and calls for worship services that can bear that weight. | more »
Salem Lutheran Church lives by the motto "In the city for good to do good in the city." | more »
Every November, Peace Lutheran Church in Tacoma, Wash., hosts a holiday bazaar for those who need it most. | more »
The disciplines, day by day, carrying us deeper into the mystery of the moment now arriving. | more »
Christians, from time immemorial, have wanted to go to the Holy Land and walk the path that Jesus walked. | more »
The feeling of the season is intentionally reflective and pensive. How might your worship practice highlight this feeling?
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The Reformation and Vatican II breakthroughs provided radical new possibilities for all kinds of people to serve within the church and to make significant vocational contributions to society. | more »
Grace Lutheran Church finds itself on a journey of faith, facing the challenge of how to demonstrate the love of God to new neighbors. | more »
Find worship ideas to help with the challenge of a festival that lasts for 50 days. | more »
It’s about God working through you and the members of your congregation that you might become vibrant witnesses to the good news of Jesus Christ. | more »
The Holy Spirit is at work in ways we may never see, using our gifts to make a real change in another person. | more »
Team Garden has another goal: to grow fresh tomatoes, zucchinis, beans, lettuce and peppers to donate to the local food pantry network. | more »
Each of us has been given gifts by God for service to others in the name of Christ by all we do with our daily lives. | more »
Attention to health has a positive impact, not just on our own lives, but on the lives of those around us. | more »
In today's Web, it is not enough to just make your content available; you need to serve it up in a way that makes it easy for people to access and listen.
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Exclusively harking back to a lovely bygone era is not a helpful or life-giving model for the community of faith in the here and now. | more »
Because of their commitment to providing a safe and secure environment, they adopted a policy on preventing and reporting abuse. | more »
Members of St. James Lutheran Church in Grosse Pointe, Mich., commemorate St. Francis Day with some of God’s creatures. | more »
Sexual images and explicit word references have become increasingly common among groups that are younger by the year. | more »
Chaplains live and work every day with the people they minister to. | more »
Placing thumbprints and signatures on their new charter was an important milestone for all members at River of Hope, an ELCA worshiping community in Hutchinson, Minn.
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He had given up fast food for Lent but ate at Burger King and got food poisoning. I told him his worst sin was blaming God for fast food. | more »
Can anyone tell me where to find the word “Easter” in the Bible? | more »
Mid-week worship services are an opportunity to emphasize and expand upon Lenten lectionary themes of God’s mercy and forgiveness. | more »
While it is easy to shake our heads at these hearty partiers and feel morally superior, the truth is that we live in a Mardi Gras culture year-round and nationwide. | more »
Recent Comments
Brian Beckstrom: “You're welcome Marcus. Thanks for reading.” | more »
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Charles Oberkehr: “This year, we got 7 foot shimmering red streamers and” | more »
Charles Oberkehr: “Thanks for the reminder. Great piece.” | more »