Editor
By Daniel J. Lehmann
All the news fit to print–or not
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$2.50 Volume 4, Issue 9 April 2011 E
ach month The Lutheran attempts to bring news, features and views that inform, uplift and occasionally entertain its readers. Editors
haven’t found the formula that hits it dead-solid perfect every time, but we keep swinging.
That’s why a letter like that of Charles M. Horn (page 48) lifts our spirits.
Our charge can be found in the magazine’s mission statement published each month (page 5). Driving those five statements is the imperative to keep ELCA members up to date on what is happening, not only in our denomination but also in the world in which we live. So we publish articles such as this month’s cover story (page 20), “10 trends to watch” in American religious, social and cultural life. Frankly, some are unnerving. But as writer Kathryn Sime reports, “To be clear, not all these trends are negative. Many present significant opportunities for ministry. Regardless, the message is clear: the world is changing; we need to take note and keep up.” Horn understands this. The reality of our situation, whether good or bad or
both, “needs to be shared so members can deal with the issue faithfully,” he says. ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson provides guidance (page 50) for a healthy mix of looking to our past while addressing our future. With that said, it’s again worthwhile to explain the editorial and adver-
tising direction of The Lutheran. It is indeed a magazine of the ELCA. For certain matters such as publication of denominational notices (page 29), it serves an official purpose. It is not, however, “official” in the sense that every word, photograph or advertisement carries the endorsement of the ELCA or represents its “official” position. Here’s a case in point. A letter-writer from Iowa was “hoping there would be a retraction of the Rob Bell endorsement on page 38 of the April edition. But there was none” in the May issue. The writer referred to a column on trends in worship beyond regular “Lutheran” circles. Bell leads a large non- ELCA congregation in Grand Rapids, Mich., that has a sizable youth fol- lowing and features what is called postmodern media-based worship. The columnist cited the style as effective and worthy of review. Bell subsequently appeared in a Time magazine article in which he ques-
tioned the existence of hell. The letter-writer said: “For The Lutheran to pro- mote Bell’s teaching materials, the ELCA is opening the door for the cancer of universalism ….”
The column was about worship style—not doctrine. It was the opinion of the columnist. It was the judgment of the editor to run the column. The editor, not a board or higher ranking church official, is responsible for the maga- zine’s content. The staff and I edit the magazine on behalf of its members. We err on the side of more, not less, potentially useful material. M
The column was about worship style—not doctrine.
Good news Adults, see back cover
4 The Lutheran •
www.thelutheran.org
MICHAEL D. WATSON
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