Contents News 8 ELCA college, seminary merge


10 Report shows church giving down $1.2 billion in 2010 12 Anglican leader retires, speculation turns to successor


16 Help with autism resources


Cover story Features


26 Study guide 20 Finding a point of grace


20 1 in 3 is harmed by domestic abuse How churches can create a point of grace


MAY 2012 VOLUME 25 NUMBER 5


The Lutheran is the magazine of the ELCA


Subscriptions/customer service Subscription issues, address changes, billing questions:


e-mail—subscriptions@augsburgfortress.org Editorial offices:


8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631 (800) 638-3522; (773) 380-2540 Fax: (773) 380-2409


E-mail: lutheran@thelutheran.org Web: www.thelutheran.org


The Lutheran is a member of the Associated Church Press


Editor Daniel J. Lehmann lutheran.editor@thelutheran.org


Section editors Julie B. Sevig Congregations & Community julie.sevig@thelutheran.org Elizabeth Hunter Church & World elizabeth.hunter@thelutheran.org


Manager, editorial production Andrea Pohlmann Kulik andrea.pohlmann@thelutheran.org


14 Giving money away Colorado teenagers manage grant program


18 Deeper understandings Holy Spirit: God’s gracious presence in our midst, ever available, for everyone


28 A spiritual home London’s Chinese Lutheran Church is opening the Bible to migrant workers


32 Digital media grows mission In Iowa synod, ministry networks rely on technology-based meetings


34 Not so fast on ‘insiders and outsiders’ Expression of old, old story is as relevant to human yearnings as when first written


38 Paper pantry Michigan church fills a niche need


30 100 years old and still teaching Departments


3 10 Bible stories that breathe life


36 Outreach in Russia


4 Editor 39 Two months out 40 Youngchurch 41 Pass the faith 42 Best this month 43 Faces


44 Higher education 45 Light side 46 Classifieds 46 Deaths 47 Crossword 48 Letters 49 My view 50 Presiding bishop


For breaking news, see www.thelutheran.org or www.elca.org/news COVER PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES


Manager, editorial art Michael D. Watson michael .watson@thelutheran.org


Manager, Web & ancillary art Amber Leberman amber.leberman@thelutheran.org


Director, circulation/marketing Curtis Peterson curtis.peterson@thelutheran.org


Contributing editor Jeff Favre jjfavre@gmail.com


Study guide editor Robert C. Blezard rcblezard@hotmail.com


Senior administrative assistant Barbara A. Fletcher barbara.fletcher@thelutheran.org


Advertising advertising@thelutheran.org


The Lutheran is published monthly through Augsburg Fortress, Publishers, Box 1209, Minneapolis, MN 55440. (ISSN 0024-743X USPS 322080)


For display and classified advertising sales: (800) 638-3522 Ext. 2541; advertising@thelutheran.org. Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement.


Subscription rates: $17.95 a year; outside N. America add $9.20 for postage. Payable in U.S. funds. Send subscription requests to The Lutheran Circulation, % Augsburg Fortress, PO Box 1553, Minneapolis, MN 55440-8730. Or subscribe online: www. thelutheran.org.


On tape: Customer Service, Box 1553, Minneapolis, MN 55440; (800) 328-4648.


On microfilm: National Archive Publishing Company (NAPC), 300 N. Zeeb Rd., PO Box 998, Ann Arbor, MI 48106-0998.


Copyright ©2012 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Duplication in whole or in part in any form is prohibited without written permission from the publishers. Printed in the U.S.A.


Nonprofit Periodicals Postage paid at St. Paul, MN, and additional mailing offices.


POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Lutheran, Augsburg Fortress, Publishers, PO Box 1553, Minneapolis MN 55440-8730.


The Lutheran magazine belongs to the people of the ELCA in all our diversity. The magazine: ■ Nurtures awareness of Christ’s presence in our lives and the world.


■ Shares stories of God’s people living their faith. ■ Connects us with the global Christian community. ■ Provides an open forum for discussion. ■ Challenges us to bring God’s grace and care to all.


phone—(800) 328-4648


May 2012 5


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52