Editor notes
By Daniel J. Lehmann Lots to consider
in two articles Info powers decisions, outcomes
T
wo columns in one this month: how faith influences our lives and reaction to the mag- azine’s November cover story on the ELCA’s
aging clergy. Tucked away on page 32 of The Atlantic’s
November issue is an information-packed article from 12 studies—all foot- noted—on the impact religious patterns of behavior have as we age. Not sur- prisingly, being raised in a family that attends religious services leads to a higher level of religiosity in adulthood. There is much more. Consider: “Religious people report more satisfaction with their love lives and sex
lives. Frequent church attendance has also been associated with lower rates of smoking and drinking, a greater tendency to exercise, reduced risk of cancer, and improved cardiovascular health. … [C]hurch/service attendance protects healthy people against death. … [K]ids with married parents of the same faith are most likely to keep the faith they grew up in,” the magazine reported. Find the statistics at
www.theatlantic.com (search for “keeping the faith”). The Lutheran’s November cover story sprang from a chart (page 22) dis-
tributed at an ELCA churchwide meeting showing the large number of pastors turning 65 in the next 10 years, raising the questions of what will be lost with their retirements and how to handle the exodus. Some found the piece fair, bal- anced and helpful. Others did not, contending it placed too much emphasis on the loss the church will sustain by the retirements and not enough on younger clergy who will take their place. A debate ensued on the ELCA clergy
Facebook page and on various blogs. The postings lasted several days and were overwhelmingly civil. There was some generation bashing (baby boom- ers vs. millennials), and one rant urging young pastors to walk away from the magazine because of the article. Here are some points to consider. The story prompted a positive, important
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Editor Daniel J. Lehmann
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Section editors Julie B. Sevig Congregations & Community
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The story prompted a pos- itive, important exchange on the clergy demograph- ics facing the ELCA. That’s the power of journalism.
exchange on the clergy demographics facing the ELCA. That’s the power of journalism. No, the article didn’t cover every side or angle. No one story on any issue can or will, just as no one sermon or even a series will include all a preacher wants to share. You don’t judge a magazine or a pastor’s sermon quality in isola- tion. I may have missed it, but I saw no mention of the articles in the same issue on the efforts of seminaries to reach today’s would-be pastors (page 36) or a reflection on the Spirit calling young people back to church (page 40). To keep all this in perspective, as of this writing the aging clergy article gar-
nered 9,224 views on The Lutheran’s website while a story about crocheting plastic bags into sleeping mats for the homeless (October, page 40) netted 9,276 views. Let’s keep reading, everyone.
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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.
MICHAEL D. WATSON
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