Church Leadership Institute provides podcasts on political polarization

In the latest Crucible newsletter from the Church Leadership Institute, you can find a collection of episodes from their Spiritual Life and Leadership podcast that dig deep into the challenges of faith and politics:

If you’re looking for some quicker insights, they also have shorter episodes from our “Quick Conversations for the Long Haul of Leadership” series with Tod Bolsinger:

Explore Lutheran Values in Election Year: Final discussion on 10/22/2024

Join the ELCA’s online workshop series through October to delve into how our faith informs our actions and voting on critical social issues. The final discussion is October 22: Freed in Christ: Race, Ethnicity, and Culture with Dr. Richard Perry, emeritus faculty at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.. View a PDF flyer and register now to engage deeply with our social teachings and lead community discussions.

Civic Life and Faith draft Social Statement feedback due 9/30/2024

The ELCA invites members to engage with a draft social statement on civic life and faith, reflecting our relationship with government as individuals and a church body. This statement, currently under review, offers guidance on church teaching and policies, serving as a vital tool for discernment on civic issues. Members can contribute feedback through an online survey or synod hearings until September 30, 2024. Post-feedback, the statement will be considered for official adoption at the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, potentially shaping the church's stance on civic engagement.

ELCABrian FlatgardSeptember 23, 2024Creating Space for Conversations, Civic EngagementComment

Explore Lutheran Values in Election Year: 9/24/2024 discussion on Faith, Sexism and Justice

Join the ELCA’s online workshop series through October to delve into how our faith informs our actions and voting on critical social issues. September's focus is Faith, Sexism and Justice with Dr. Mary Streufert, Director of Gender Justice and Women’s Empowerment, and Heather Dean, Program Coordinator of Theological Discernment at the ELCA. View a PDF flyer and register now to engage deeply with our social teachings and lead community discussions.

Final two events of UCC's Community Safety Training Series are 9/23 and 9/30/2024

United Church of Christ presents a Community Safety Training Series via Zoom on September 23 and 30, 5:00 - 7:00 pm. Register for Zoom info here.

How can congregations build an ecology of community safety that is rooted in care, investing in each other, believing in each other, and trusting each other and the rhythms and cycles around/within us? What community safety practices can we engage in now that also help us build the world we long for? Our experienced trainers will expand on our “Ecology of Community Safety” guide to offer practical skills, psycho-social care practices, planning tools, and analysis of current conditions.

NEW DATE: Explore Lutheran Values in Election Year: 9/10/2024 discussion on abortion

Join the ELCA’s online workshop series through October to delve into how our faith informs our actions and voting on critical social issues. September's focus is Abortion with Dr. Caryn Riswold, Professor of Religion/McCoy Family Distinguished Chair in Lutheran Heritage and Mission at Wartburg College.View a PDF flyer and register now to engage deeply with our social teachings and lead community discussions. Click here to join this Sunday’s webinar.

~~September 10~~ New Date! Sun, Sep 8, 2024 at 7:00pm.: Abortion with Dr. Caryn Riswold, Professor of Religion/McCoy Family Distinguished Chair in Lutheran Heritage and Mission at Wartburg College.

Civic Life and Faith draft Social Statement feedback due 9/30/2024

The ELCA invites members to engage with a draft social statement on civic life and faith, reflecting our relationship with government as individuals and a church body. This statement, currently under review, offers guidance on church teaching and policies, serving as a vital tool for discernment on civic issues. Members can contribute feedback through an online survey or synod hearings until September 30, 2024. Post-feedback, the statement will be considered for official adoption at the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, potentially shaping the church's stance on civic engagement.

ELCABrian FlatgardSeptember 3, 2024Creating Space for Conversations, Civic EngagementComment

Synod Spotlight: The GCS Church & Society resource page

Explore the Grand Canyon Synod’s “Church and Society” page for essential resources tailored to help our congregations navigate the complexities of an election year. Featuring guides on political discussions, reflections on Christian nationalism, and updates on elections and voting rights, this page is your go-to source for fostering safe, informed, and united church communities. Visit now to access our comprehensive collection of articles and our “Creating Space for Conversations” series, ensuring our church remains a sanctuary of dialogue during these polarizing times.

Join Our Webinar on Congregational Safety: Addressing Concerns Amid Political Tensions

Join us on September 5, 2024, at 10:15 am for the “Conversation about Congregational Safety” webinar, hosted by Bishop Hutterer and other synod leaders. This crucial event will address concerns about political violence and share resources from the FBI and the ELCA on Christian Nationalism. Congregational leaders are invited to participate and discuss community safety practices. Register now to be part of this essential conversation. Register here.

Explore Lutheran Values in Election Year: Corporate Social Responsibility with Rev. Kaari Reierson

Join the ELCA’s online workshop series through October to delve into how our faith informs our actions and voting on critical social issues. August’s focus is Corporate Social Responsibility with Rev. Kaari Reierson. View a PDF flyer and register now to engage deeply with our social teachings and lead community discussions.

UCC presents Community Safety Training Series

United Church of Christ presents a Community Safety Training Series via Zoom on August 19, September 9, 23, and 30, 5:00 - 7:00 pm. Register for Zoom info here.

How can congregations build an ecology of community safety that is rooted in care, investing in each other, believing in each other, and trusting each other and the rhythms and cycles around/within us? What community safety practices can we engage in now that also help us build the world we long for? Our experienced trainers will expand on our “Ecology of Community Safety” guide to offer practical skills, psycho-social care practices, planning tools, and analysis of current conditions.

Faith and Politics: How to Lead with Wisdom

Explore the complex relationship between faith and politics with Luther scholar, the Rev. Dr. Anthony Bateza in this enlightening episode of the Pivot Podcast.

Introducing “Book Time with LAMA” - A New Monthly Book Club

Join LAMA’s new book club, “Book Time with LAMA,” starting Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at noon. Our first book, I Think You’re Wrong (But I’m Listening) by Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers, explores grace-filled political conversations. Monthly meetings will provide a safe space for discussions on social justice. Register now to join the conversation! Register for Book Time: ‘I Think You’re Wrong’

Faith and Politics: Lutheran Legislators Advocate for Respectful Discourse

Washington State Senators Annette Cleveland and Ron Muzzall, both Lutherans, are advocating for civility in politics, inspired by their faith. Emphasizing grace, respect, and love, they aim to foster respectful dialogue across political divides. Their efforts align with the ELCA’s mission to promote healthy civic engagement, highlighted in recent social messages and draft statements. Read about their efforts in Living Lutheran.

Finding Grace Amidst Division: Upcoming Workshop on Preaching in Polarized Times

Be sure to sign up for “Preaching in an Age of Polarization,” an online workshop on August 22, 2024, from 10am - 11:30 am MST/PDT. This session, led by Rev. Katie Langston of the Grand Canyon Synod, offers tools and insights for preaching with grace and humor in politically charged times. Engage in practical discussions, learn to address hot-button topics, and stay true to your Christian identity amid polarization. Register now at faithlead.org/polarization to secure your spot or access the post-event recording.

Explore Lutheran Values in Election Year: Join the Social Teachings Series

Join the ELCA’s online workshop series through October to delve into how our faith informs our actions and voting on critical social issues. Sessions include topics like corporate social responsibility, abortion, and climate crisis, led by knowledgeable speakers. View a PDF flyer and register now to engage deeply with our social teachings and lead community discussions.

“With Freedom’s Holy Light”: The Four Estates in American Christianity

As part of our Creating Space for Conversations series, we share a PDF of an article by Alex M. Aakre, “With Freedom’s Holy Light”: The Four Estates in American Christianity, from an issue of Word and World, Luther Seminary’s journal of theology.

The concept of an American civil religion has been widely identified and widely debated over the last sixty years. Many have come to reject this idea as an attempt to deify the American state and mix the allegiance due to God with that due to the nation. Yet, perhaps, rightly conceived, American civil religion can be useful as a way of understanding a Christian’s relation to the state and to the world. —Alex M. Aakre

Explore Lutheran Values in Election Year: Join the Social Teachings Series

Join the ELCA’s online workshop series from June to October to delve into how our faith informs our actions and voting on critical social issues. Sessions include topics like corporate social responsibility, abortion, and climate crisis, led by knowledgeable speakers. View a PDF flyer and register now to engage deeply with our social teachings and lead community discussions.

Civic engagement: How do we go in peace to love and serve the Lord in civic life?

As part of our Creating Space for Conversations series, we share this video from the ELCA’s "Study Curriculum on Civic Life and Faith." Watch the video as a standalone resource, or explore the full set of the curriculum, including leader’s guides.

ELCA, News, Resources, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardMay 28, 2024Advocacy, ELCA Advocacy, Creating Space for ConversationsComment

“Where the Kingdoms Are Held Together”: Free Institutions and the American Church’s Political Vocation

As part of our Creating Space for Conversations series, we share a PDF of an article by the Grand Canyon Synod’s very own Rev. Matthew Metevelis, “Where the Kingdoms Are Held Together”: Free Institutions and the American Church’s Political Vocation, an issue of Word and World, Luther Seminary’s journal of theology.

The United States, as any other nation, is considered a political entity that God uses as a means of providing life and happiness for all. The distinct nature of the American national system is heavily reliant on the virtue of its citizens, and Christians are called to engage in this work both as citizens of the nation and as members of God’s church. —Rev. Matthew Metevelis

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