Here are some ways a pastor and congregation can help those who are in the muddle or crisis of midlife. | more »
Men
ELCA missionaries David and Mary Kuck witness the true meaning of "freed in Christ to serve." | more »
Jensen Seyenkulo, the new Liberian bishop, is working to strengthen unity among members of his church and to make the central office financially self-sustaining. | more »
When Jesus Escamilla received the call to the ordained ministry, he didn't anticipate that it would involve learning to ride a horse. | more »
Definitely abled youth make new friends in New Orleans as they gear up for the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering. | more »
For the youth at MYLE, the ELCA Youth Gathering is a chance to share their cultures with 35,000 other young people. | more »
It’s a day for you and your spouse, so plan a special way to enjoy it. | more »
Writing the book will likely have to wait, but what title would you give it? How would it reflect where you are today in your life and where you have been? You might also want to read: A passion for... | more »
This call of fatherhood means that I have been given a responsibility as a teacher, as a guide, as an encourager, as a listener, as a servant. | more »
People over 55 will soon make up over a third of the U.S. population, but few congregations focus on this emerging area of ministry. | more »
Brach Jennings, one of 19 ELCA Fund for Leaders scholarship recipients for 2012, wants to reach out to people who only know a Lord of anger. | more »
For Donald Bidwell the best thing about Sunday school was learning those songs and, of course, learning about Jesus.
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Living in Anchorage, Alaska, Daniel Bollerud says his favorite liturgical season is Epiphany, with the "light coming into the world and the days getting longer."
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Valentine’s Day and its spotlight on love should be a reminder that love needs daily nourishment. Roses and chocolates once a year may be fun, but they won’t keep the feelings alive. Doing that takes work, every day of the... | more »
Jeffrey Goodman, who's not a big fan of coffee but is a big fan of the Philadelphia Phillies, tells us that "heights are not my favorite thing." | more »
David Pavesic, who is a huge fan of military history, is most proud of his congregation when its members "strive together for the future." | more »
For Ken Cockerham, any day spent in the glorious beauty of the great outdoors is a day to treasure. | more »
Geoff Sinibaldo, who's passionate about the ministry of preaching, says, "Being a pastor is even more fun than it looks!"
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Adam Sornchai doesn't have time for the magazines when waiting to check out at the grocery store because, he says, he only has eyes for the candy. | more »
"Anybody who sounded as smart as he was ... and had the name Martin Luther, I had to get to know him better," says Robert Graetz of Martin Luther King Jr. | more »
Kevin Bergeson is passionate about evangelism, but he adds, "(It) only happens within relationships. Stop inviting people to your church; invite them into your life."
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Many of the dreams we had when we were young likely remained just dreams. But were you able to beat the odds and achieve one of yours? Was it something that changed all that came after? You might also want... | more »
It wouldn’t be something you could wrap and put under a tree. But it would be something that would make the world a better place if we all received it. What gift would you put on the list for all... | more »
Our lives wouldn’t be the same if it weren’t for the people around us. Be it at home, at work or elsewhere, there are people who make our roads smoother. This Thanksgiving, whom can you thank for helping make your... | more »
Preserving a bond with someone requires work and mutual effort. What have you found to be most important in preserving a relationship with someone? How has the Bible helped guide you? You might also want to read High standards nurture... | more »
Eight ELCA missionary personnel serve in health care and development, theological education and secondary education in China. | more »
Ben Bergren was with a guy when the man won a million dollars at a hockey game! | more »
"How can I Keep from Singing?" has become a favorite hymn for Scott Alan Johnson, who also puts "foolhardy and enthusiastic" Simon Peter among his favorites.
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In between fishing and working ivory, Alook Savetilik studied reports for the 2011 Churchwide Assembly that would help chart the future of this church.
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Hey, bet you didn't know that retired pastor David Langseth, who learned in Sunday school that "my life is important," is a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority arbitrator.
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Mark Lepper feels most Lutheran when he's nailing things to doors. But he'd have to put down that Krispy Kreme doughnut first. | more »
When Eric Peterson's congregation welcomes the stranger, he's proud; when it pushes away the stranger, he's frustrated. | more »
College students learn daily to love one another and place their own needs and wants aside for the sake of the other. | more »
Working with Habitat for Humanity through Lutheran Volunteer Corps has been a good fit for Chris Schei. | more »
David Allen Buehler says that his favorite potluck dish is scallops. That's the kind of potluck dinner we'd like to attend. | more »
“Once you combine an interest with a gift, serving can be very gratifying and rewarding,” says ELCA member Linden Olson, a farmer and pork producer. | more »
Donald Breede gives Lutherans a "thumbs up" for their potlucks but a "thumbs down" when it comes to greeting visitors to their congregations. | more »
Gerald Westerbuhr thinks that forgiveness is at the heart of "living Lutheran": forgiving others and — here's the hard part for a lot of us — accepting God's forgiveness. | more »
Curtis Lanoue says it's impossible to name all the people who inspire him. There are simply too many. | more »
Erik Christensen, a pastor who feels strongly about adult Christian education, is in the music video for Aerosmith's "Don't Want to Miss a Thing." | more »
Arthur C. Bergren says he's doing God's work with his hands when "they are clasped with someone else's hands."
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Just knowing that he's alive makes every day a perfect day for Ken Church. That's food for thought. | more »
What's the best thing Dean Gustafson learned in Sunday school? Jesus loves him, of course. He's also a big fan of caramel corn and his dad. | more »
Neal Fischer feels most Lutheran when he's tempted to nail things to a door. And he believes a bad day can always be improved with a Hershey's bar — with almonds. | more »
While Timothy Retzloff thinks that Lutherans are great at cookouts and being stubborn, serving his neighbor makes him feel the most Lutheran. | more »
Maurechal Love, a self-taught organist who would like to learn Hebrew, is passionate about international issues and ministries, such as Stand with Africa's fight against HIV and AIDS.
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Don Forney is a survivor. He's been in two airplane crashes — one when he was on a 727 and another when he was on a DC-10. | more »
Candid conversations about HIV and AIDS change and protect lives in Tanzania.
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If it’s August, the days of summer will be gone too soon. But there’s still time before the leaves turn to finish a task, take a trip or just do what you like to do on warm days. What do... | more »
Not afraid to go his own way, Roger E. Timm says he likes that mystery meat, Spam, and a hot cup of strong, black coffee would only make it better. | more »
Now retired, John Johansen is still passionate about preaching — and the finals of the NCAA Basketball Championship called March Madness.
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Movie posters? A popcorn machine? What do they have to do with Sunday worship? Everything, if you’re at GPS Faith Community in Machesney Park, Ill. | more »
Joseph M. Bocko, whose perfect day is Sunday, gives fellow Lutherans high marks on teaching but perhaps a "needs improvement" on preaching. | more »
Sleeping in until 10, playing Wii in his sweats and eating junk food — a perfect day can't get much better than that for Drake Zuschlag. | more »
Do you tend to put things off until later, and does that bother you? What techniques have you tried as a way to solve the problem? If you are a reformed procrastinator, what helped you change your ways? And yes,... | more »
When the earthquake hit Japan, their World War II view that the Japanese were the enemy fell away. | more »
Pastor Richard Young, a physician and ELCA missionary serving in Guyana, is struck by the fact that prayer is requested first, medical care second.
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Tuesday was the first day of summer, and summer for many people includes cooking outside on the grill. When it’s time to fire up the barbecue, what’s your first choice for the menu?... | more »
Whether or not you got a tie, was there something special about Father’s Day this year? Perhaps it was a hug and thanks for being there. If you received a tie, we trust it’s a beauty.... | more »
What is it like to bring a new life into a world that is herself groaning like a woman giving birth? | more »
An ELCA military chaplain lives by the motto, "Bringing God to soldiers and soldiers to God."
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In many places, summer is all too short. Do you have a goal or task you’d like to accomplish before it’s over? Maybe it’s cleaning the garage or finishing your first long-distance race. Perhaps it’s attending worship services more regularly... | more »
Helping others pay Uncle Sam can involve counseling and talking to God.
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Good news comes in many forms — a card from a loved one, a good sermon or Bible study, a chat with a lifelong friend or a sunlit walk among spring flowers. What’s the best news you’ve encountered today?... | more »
Clint Mack heard God's call for him at a most unexpected time in his life: during one of two deployments in Iraq. | more »
On March 19 we commemorate Joseph, Guardian of Jesus. Which of his acts of faith and fatherhood do you think is most significant? What can we as people of faith learn from Joseph’s example?... | more »
Valentine’s Day is a holiday that is celebrated in one form or another around the globe. Whether you focus your attention on your significant other or see this as a day to express affection for family, friends and coworkers —... | more »
It’s a question that we ask kids or students all the time. But how would you answer that question today? What’s your plan for the rest of your life, and what is one thing you want to be sure to... | more »
If you had to narrow it down, which person would you pick as your inspiration? Is that person someone you know personally, or someone you’ve admired from afar? What is it about his or her life, faith and calling that... | more »
“I really want this congregation to shrink!” says the pastor. His congregation serves the fastest growing U.S. population: the incarcerated. | more »
Joseph handled himself in an amazing way. Joseph did not act rashly out of pride or hurt. He acted deliberately, guided by justice and mercy.
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Maybe you’re hoping that someone will notice the hints you’ve been leaving around the house. Maybe it’s something that can’t be wrapped, but is tangible nonetheless. What’s at the top of your Christmas list this year?... | more »
Holidays mean family time — and that often means card games. What games do you like best? Do you prefer the simple games (UNO, Crazy Eights, Go Fish) or the complex (bridge, canasta, euchre)?... | more »
Is it the cold weather, the extra work (shoveling sidewalks, scraping off windshields, de-icing steps), the shorter days or something else entirely? If you live in a part of the country that doesn’t have snow, what’s worst about winter in... | more »
At this time of the year, it’s easy to feel like you have 12 plates spinning at once. How do you take time from your busy schedule to slow down?... | more »
Is there an Advent song, reading or devotion that moves you? What makes this season a holy one for you?... | more »
Did St. Nick visit your house this morning? What did you (or your family members) receive? Anything unexpected?... | more »
Does your household follow an early (pre-Thanksgiving) or late (end of Advent) schedule for decorating? What traditions, foods, music go along with decorating? Do you invite others over to help?... | more »
What piece of advice has stayed with you through the years? When did you receive it and from whom?... | more »
Advent — from the Latin “adventus” — is both a beginning and an end. Are you looking forward to the end of something, or to the birth of something new in your life?... | more »
What do you think that Lutheran Christians are known for — whether theologically, socially or otherwise? Is there a particularly Lutheran strength that you think is worth celebrating?... | more »
Thanksgiving is pretty straightforward, as holidays go. People gather, eat, give thanks and relax together. Are there particular things that you like to do every year — by yourself, with your family members or with friends? What do you like... | more »
Will you serve a traditional family recipe or something new? What dish are you most looking forward to eating?... | more »
For decades Jim Kline attended various ELCA congregations, but he never became an official member of this church until now. So, what inspired Jim to finally join? | more »
Who’s a person (real or fictional) that you admire? Why? When did you first start looking up to that person? How (if at all) did your hero influence your calling in life?... | more »
November 11 is Veterans Day in the United States, and is celebrated as Memorial Day or Armistice Day in other parts of the world, marking the end of World War I on this date in 1918. What do you do... | more »
If so, what inspired your parents to name you after a particular saint? Regardless of whether the saint was canonized by the church, what influence has that saint had on your life and your calling? Is there anything about that... | more »
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