Did you know we’ve launched a new blog, polifaith.com? Check it out, then use the tool in the top left corner of the page to subscribe for new posts. Lutheran Confessions isn’t going away, but it may become more focused on denominational and ecclesial topics. Read more

Arkansas is participating, together with groups in 30 states across the country, in a continuation of the campaign first called for by Martin Luther King Jr. before he was assassinated. A Poor People’s Campaign, A National Call for Moral Revival uniting tens of thousands of people across the country to challenge the evils of systemic racism, poverty, the war economy, ecological devastation and the nation’s distorted morality. You can be part of this campaign, and there are many ways to... Read more

Lent is soon upon us. This powerful, spiritual season is an opportunity to commit (or re-commit) to core Christian practices. Lent is first of all the forty day journey beginning with Ash Wednesday (February 14th) and concluding with Holy Week and Easter (April 1st). During the forty days, we journey with Jesus through the final weeks of his public ministry, setting our faces with him towards Jerusalem and the cross. Traditionally, Christians commit to three practices during the season: prayer,... Read more

Of course Jesus never blogged either and his only written word was in the sand… Read more

The answer: No! Now to offer explanation. John Piper recently wrote a piece, “Is There a Place for Female Professors at Seminary?” where he answered a laboriously argued, painfully toxic, “No.” His basic argument: He believes in complementarianism. Church and home life from this supposedly biblical perspective is gendered. Women lead the home. Men lead the church. And church leadership should be made up of a team of “spiritual, humble, and biblical men.” He then argues that it simply isn’t... Read more

I don’t know about you, but lately I’ve been in an analog state of mind. As much as I love experimentation in digital and social media, I’ve also simply wanted to do more tactile and face-to-face things. I’d rather have coffee with you than browse Facebook (and often I’d rather read a book than read Facebook). I am trying to be present in the moment with family and friends and not distracted by devices. It’s hard, and I often fail.... Read more

ELCA Presiding Bishop responds to reported racist comments I am very disappointed and disturbed by the remarks that President Donald Trump is reported to have said yesterday – and confirmed by others who were present – in the context of a discussion about immigration. Regardless of the context, references of that kind have no place in our civil discourse and, if true, reflect racist attitudes unbecoming any of us, but especially a president of the United States. Instead, we should... Read more

I have a friend who organizes the month of 100 things each January. Her practice is to identify 100 things she owns she can give away or sell. It’s a small counter-measure against the onslaught of accumulation that seems a part of our daily lives, and especially strong over the Christmas holiday. I’m not one of those who believes things are themselves bad. Although most of us wax and wane, first committing to lives of simplicity, then giving in and... Read more

The first trend I’m noticing: lots of writers are committing to less time in the daily grind of social media, with the goal of creating better and more enduring content. I’m making that commitment also. Personal practices I’ll be changing in 2018: No social media sharing other than content I’ve created myself or that was created by someone I know.  More focus on group work in smaller channels, especially Slack. If I share a post in social media, it will... Read more