Posts in ELCA
For What Shall We Pray?
For What Shall We Pray?

  • For an end to war, violence, and genocide across the world, especially in Ukraine, Gaza, Iran, Israel, Haiti, Sudan, Myanmar, Yemen, India, and Pakistan…

  • For the ongoing work of first responders and relief organizations, including Lutheran Disaster Response in Kerr County, Texas, and in all places affected by natural disasters…

  • For those experiencing or anticipating storms and floods in the Northeast US and in the Gulf region…

  • For the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada who has elected the Rev. Dr. Larry Kochendorfer to serve as its fifth National Bishop and in thanksgiving for the ministry of outgoing National Bishop Susan Johnson…

  • For our own church and the discernment of voting members who will soon elect a new Presiding Bishop and Secretary of the ELCA…

  • For those affected by recent ICE raids in Camarillo, California, including those injured and killed…

  • For all victims of sexual abuse and assault…

  • For those killed and injured in a recent fire at an assisted living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts…

Read More
ELCA, Prayers, SpotlightBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment
Meet Bishop-Elect Benjamin Quanbeck: A Vision for Gospel-Rooted Leadership
Meet Bishop-Elect Benjamin Quanbeck: A Vision for Gospel-Rooted Leadership

Bishop-elect Benjamin Quanbeck, chosen to lead the Montana Synod beginning September 1, brings a leadership vision grounded in trust, collaboration, and gospel-centered hope. In an interview with Living Lutheran, Quanbeck emphasized supporting congregations and leaders with the tools they need to thrive—and letting the Spirit lead from there. His mantra, “people over programs,” shapes his pastoral and adaptive approach to ministry. Get to know his vision, values, and hopes for the synod by reading the full interview in Living Lutheran —click here.

Read More
ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardLiving LutheranComment
Called to Renew: Church Reform for the Sake of the Gospel
Called to Renew: Church Reform for the Sake of the Gospel

The Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church (CRLC) has released its final report ahead of the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, offering a bold roadmap for structural reform grounded in equity, inclusion, and the gospel. Key recommendations include constitutional amendments, support for lay leadership, and commitments to dismantling racism. As our synod prepares to send voting members to Phoenix, this is a critical moment to reflect on who we are—and who we are called to become. Click here to read the full article in Living Lutheran.

Read More
ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardCommission for a Renewed Lutheran Church, Living LutheranComment
Ritu Rishidev: A Young Lutheran Partner Lifting Up Human Rights in Nepal
Ritu Rishidev: A Young Lutheran Partner Lifting Up Human Rights in Nepal

Meet Ritu Rishidev, an 18-year-old student from Nepal’s marginalized Musahar community, who is rising as a powerful advocate for women’s rights and social justice. Supported through a Lutheran-led training in human rights and advocacy—organized by the Lutheran Community Welfare Society and funded by the ELCA—Ritu is now a bold voice speaking out against gender-based violence and discrimination. To read more about Ritu’s inspiring journey and the Lutheran support behind her work, click here.

Read More
ELCA, Global Church, NewsBrian FlatgardLiving LutheranComment
What Church Leaders Need to Know: July’s Administration Matters Highlights
What Church Leaders Need to Know: July’s Administration Matters Highlights

In this month’s Administration Matters: Key updates for ELCA congregations include online hearings ahead of the 2025 Churchwide Assembly, a new fall youth retreat series called Gathering Expedition, and Microsoft license changes that may impact your church’s tech tools. Read about Portico’s community impact, parish register tips, and free risk sensors from Church Mutual. Explore the full issue here.

Read More
ELCA, Leadership ResourcesBrian FlatgardAdministration MattersComment
Engage Before the Assembly: 2025 Churchwide Pre-Events Open Now
Engage Before the Assembly: 2025 Churchwide Pre-Events Open Now

Get ready for the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly by participating in key pre-events, including online Bible studies (July 9, 16, and 23), guide orientation webinars (June 26), and five official virtual hearings (July 15–24). These sessions explore major issues such as climate and gender justice, Palestine and Israel, and the proposed social statement on Faith & Civic Life. Learn, reflect, and prepare alongside others across the ELCA.

Read More
ELCA, NewsBrian Flatgard2025 Churchwide AssemblyComment
Shine a Light for Justice: Evening Vigil During Churchwide Assembly
Shine a Light for Justice: Evening Vigil During Churchwide Assembly

Join us for a candlelight prayer vigil on Wednesday, July 30 at 9:00 pm at Peace Park in Phoenix, following the ELCA Churchwide Assembly. This 30-minute gathering will include music, prayer, and reflections from ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and other leaders, with a focus on preserving the human dignity of migrants, asylees, and refugees. Open to the public—all are welcome.

Read More
ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, PrayersBrian Flatgard2025 Churchwide Assembly, Immigration and Refugees, Camp ALOMAComment
Churchwide Assembly Comes to Phoenix: ELCA to Elect New Presiding Bishop
Churchwide Assembly Comes to Phoenix: ELCA to Elect New Presiding Bishop

The 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly will be held July 28–Aug. 2 at the Phoenix Convention Center, gathering 845 voting members under the theme “For the Life of the World.” Key actions include electing a new presiding bishop and secretary, voting on the proposed Faith and Civic Life social statement, and addressing major memorials such as missing and murdered Indigenous women and dismantling racism.

Assembly events will include worship, theological reflection, a candlelight AMMPARO vigil, and an exhibition powwow hosted by Indigenous leaders from the Phoenix area. Click here for full details in the official ELCA news release.

Read More
ELCA, NewsBrian Flatgard2025 Churchwide AssemblyComment
Call for Dancers: Share Your Gifts at Churchwide Assembly Worship
Call for Dancers: Share Your Gifts at Churchwide Assembly Worship

Do you know a young dancer? The ELCA is seeking Phoenix-area students and young adults to participate in the Opening Worship of Churchwide Assembly on Monday, July 28 at the Phoenix Convention Center. Dancers will rehearse and perform from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.—a rare opportunity to offer movement as worship. Contact Deacon Sarah Bjornebo at sbjornebo@yahoo.com or 303-257-3356 to share names or learn more.

Read More
ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian Flatgard2025 Churchwide AssemblyComment
Funding Available Now: ELCA Disability Ministry Grants Open Through July 31
Funding Available Now: ELCA Disability Ministry Grants Open Through July 31

Applications are now open for the ELCA Disability Ministry Grants, with up to $35,000 in total funding available for 2025. Individual ministries may apply for grants up to $10,000 through July 31. Projects must demonstrate active engagement with people with disabilities and align with one or more core goals of the Disability Ministry. To learn more and access the application, click here.

Read More
ELCA, Leadership Resources, NewsBrian FlatgardDisability Ministries, ELCA Disability Ministries, GrantsComment
Free ELCA Coaching Events in July: Healing, Equity, and Right Relations
Free ELCA Coaching Events in July: Healing, Equity, and Right Relations

Explore a full month of free leadership support from ELCA Coaching this July. Offerings include Wednesday gatherings focused on healing, diversity, and faith, as well as in-depth training modules on right relations and decolonizing worship (registration required for select sessions). These events are free to all, thanks to ELCA sponsorship. An additional “Coaching for Everyday Life” training begins August 4. Click here for full details and registration: elcacoaching.org/events

Read More
ELCA, Leadership Resources, NewsBrian FlatgardCoaching, ELCA CoachingComment
For What Shall We Pray?
For What Shall We Pray?

  • For an end to war, violence, and genocide across the world, especially in Ukraine, Gaza, Iran, Israel, Haiti, Sudan, Myanmar, Yemen, India, and Pakistan…

  • For those affected by Tropical Storm Chantal in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, and the threat of flooding…

  • For those grieving loss of life in the aftermath of severe flooding in Texas, and for the work of first responders and relief agencies…

  • For all victims of gun violence, including those affected by recent shootings in Albany (NY), Philadelphia, and Chicago over the holiday weekend…

  • For those who are uninsured and who do not have access to healthcare, and those who are at risk of losing health insurance…

  • For our neighbors and community members who depend on food assistance programs and other social services whose future funding is uncertain…

  • For the safety of families and individuals who travel this summer…

  • For all who are in the final stages of planning for the ELCA Churchwide Assembly beginning later this month…

Read More
ELCA, Prayers, SpotlightBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment
Shine a Light for Justice: Evening Vigil During Churchwide Assembly
Shine a Light for Justice: Evening Vigil During Churchwide Assembly

Join us for a candlelight prayer vigil on Wednesday, July 30 at 9:00 pm at Peace Park in Phoenix, following the ELCA Churchwide Assembly. This 30-minute gathering will include music, prayer, and reflections from ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and other leaders, with a focus on preserving the human dignity of migrants, asylees, and refugees. Open to the public—all are welcome.

Read More
ELCA, Grand Canyon Synod, PrayersBrian Flatgard2025 Churchwide Assembly, Immigration and Refugees, Camp ALOMAComment
When Prayer Becomes Breath: A Lutheran Reflection on 1 Thessalonians 5:17
When Prayer Becomes Breath: A Lutheran Reflection on 1 Thessalonians 5:17

In Living Lutheran, ELCA deacon and campus chaplain Mindy Holland invites us to rediscover the power and possibility of prayer—not only in our worship spaces but in every moment of our lives. Reflecting on 1 Thessalonians 5:17, she urges us to “pray without ceasing,” letting prayer become as natural as breathing. From formal liturgy to whispered blessings, barefoot gratitude to courageous intercession, Holland reminds us that prayer transforms not only the world but ourselves. As the ELCA prepares for key elections, she encourages intentional prayer for our leaders and discernment for the future. Click here to read the full article at Living Lutheran.

Read More
ELCABrian FlatgardLiving LutheranComment
Vision of Hope and Collaboration: Meet Bishop-elect Emily Hartner
Vision of Hope and Collaboration: Meet Bishop-elect Emily Hartner

The North Carolina Synod has elected its first woman bishop, the Rev. Emily Hartner, who brings a bold vision of abundance and creative collaboration to her new role. With experience across a variety of ministry contexts and a deep love for her home synod, Hartner encourages congregations and leaders to share their gifts freely to meet one another’s needs.

She begins her term August 1 and will be installed on November 15. To learn more about her leadership perspective and hope-filled vision for the future of the church, click here to read the full interview from Living Lutheran.

Read More
ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardLiving LutheranComment
Back to Basics, Forward in Faith: Meet Bishop-Elect Philip Hirsch
Back to Basics, Forward in Faith: Meet Bishop-Elect Philip Hirsch

Philip Hirsch, newly elected bishop of the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod, shares a bold and hopeful vision for the future of the ELCA—one that both honors our Lutheran roots and embraces Spirit-led innovation. Drawing from a lifetime of leadership across the church and a passion for justice and inclusion, Hirsch lifts up the urgent need to reach new generations, name systemic barriers, and return to the heart of the gospel. His leadership begins this fall, and his insights reflect key themes identified by over 11,000 ELCA members nationwide. Click here to read the full Living Lutheran interview.

Read More
News, ELCABrian FlatgardLiving LutheranComment
Bishop Eaton: Budget Bill Harms the Most Vulnerable
Bishop Eaton: Budget Bill Harms the Most Vulnerable

In response to the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton issues a call to faithful action. The sweeping legislation threatens healthcare access, food assistance, immigrant families, and climate protections—policies that stand in opposition to Lutheran commitments to care for the vulnerable and support the common good. Bishop Eaton invites us to pray, partner, and act together as church to stand with our neighbors in need. Click here to read the full statement and watch the accompanying video on YouTube.

Read More
ELCA, Bishop Eaton, Letters, NewsBrian FlatgardBishop Eaton Letters, Church and Society, Immigration and Refugees, Hunger, AdvocacyComment
From Grammy Wins to Grace: Peter Strickland’s Lutheran Journey
From Grammy Wins to Grace: Peter Strickland’s Lutheran Journey

Peter Strickland, general manager of BMG Music Group in Nashville and a longtime member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Franklin, Tennessee, reflects on his faith, family, and vocation in the high-paced music industry. From launching Blake Shelton’s career to producing Jimmy Fallon’s Grammy-winning album, Strickland shares how his Lutheran values—grace, integrity, and community—guide both his leadership and life. Click here to read the full feature in Living Lutheran.

Read More
ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardLiving LutheranComment
Faith, Footnotes, and Fresh Conversations: What’s New in the Lutheran Study Bible
Faith, Footnotes, and Fresh Conversations: What’s New in the Lutheran Study Bible

On July 1, Augsburg Fortress released The Lutheran Study Bible, Second Edition, a fully updated resource featuring the NRSVue translation, revised articles, and insights from over 50 ELCA pastors and scholars. With fresh perspectives on Jewish-Christian relations, updated notes on biblical figures, and new study tools like “Together by Grace: Bible Conversations,” this edition invites readers into a deeper, more inclusive engagement with Scripture. Click here to read the full interview with co-editor Laurie J. Hanson in Living Lutheran.

Read More
ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardLiving LutheranComment
For What Shall We Pray?
For What Shall We Pray?

  • For an end to war, violence, and genocide across the world, especially in Ukraine, Gaza, Iran, Israel, Haiti, Sudan, Myanmar, Yemen, India, and Pakistan…

  • For the victims of the most recent attack on a waterfront cafe in Gaza City, and for a lasting peace in Palestine and Israel…

  • For all victims of gun violence, especially in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho and Chicago, Illinois…

  • For the victims of a fire at a pharmaceutical factory in Southern India…

  • For those grieving the loss of life after the crash of Air India flight AI171…

  • For the safety of those traveling, gathering with family and friends, and celebrating this holiday weekend…

  • For veterans of war and all who suffer from PTSD…

  • For those with limited or threatened access to healthcare…

  • For an end to racism, poverty, and hatred…

Read More
ELCA, Prayers, SpotlightBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment