Editor notes
By Daniel J. Lehmann New year offers
renewal, change Marty, theologians continue
A
new year brings opportunities and chal- lenges, high hopes and a few fears, and the certainty that there will be change, no mat-
ter how large or small. The good news for 2015 is that Peter W. Marty
continues writing the lead column for The Lutheran. The magazine has been blessed with some exceptional writers over the past 27 years, starting with Walter Wangerin Jr. Marty began his column in July 2010 and has developed and continues to grow a loyal following through a writing style and theological insight that resonates with many. His latest series, “A lexicon of faith,” starts on page 3. This will be something
of a primer on the basic elements of Christian belief, but not in a “do and don’t,” “right and wrong” format. Built on a key word such this month’s “reconciliation,” it should also help the magazine’s website reach those beyond our denomination who are prospecting for a church or starting an inquiry into faith life. Also continuing is “Deeper understandings,” a column dedicated to “sound-
ing the base notes” of Lutheran theology. From its debut in September 2011until last month, it was organized and edited by Philip D.W. Krey who retired last fall as president of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. For 40 col- umns Krey corralled teaching theologians to showcase the width and depth of theological understanding in the ELCA. Thank you, Pastor Krey. Michael Cooper-White, president of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at
Gettysburg (Pa.) and a contributor to The Lutheran, takes the column reins and charts its future in this issue on page 14. We’ve also settled on our cover sto-
ries for 2015. Following this month’s 10 things you thought you knew about Mar- tin Luther (page 16) will be tales of people who didn’t start out as cradle Luther- ans but who found a home in the ELCA (February); the status of the ELCA’s five-year campaign to help eradicate malaria (March); Lutherans working to address climate change (April); responsible consumerism (May); young leaders in the ELCA (June); a look at whether adages such as “confession is good for the soul” still hold true (July); the impact of declining worship attendance on con- gregational life and mission (August); the Youth Gathering (September); what the Reformation meant for women (October); what we can learn from younger members around the philosophy of giving (November); and favorite Bible stories and characters (December). As always, this is subject to change based on events. Personally, good riddance to 2014 as friends moved away, another died, and
a health issue came and went. Moving on, 2015 promises engaging, needed work to position the magazine for a more secure future and an eventual change in editorial leadership as my turn winds down.
4
www.thelutheran.org
‘A lexicon of faith’ … will be something of a primer on the basic elements of Christian belief.
The Lutheran is the magazine of the ELCA
Subscriptions & customer service Subscription issues, address changes, billing questions:
phone—800-328-4648 email—
subscriptions@augsburgfortress.org
Editorial offices: 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631
(800) 638-3522; (773) 380-2540 Fax: (773) 380-2409 Email:
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
Manager, editorial art Michael D. Watson michael .
watson@thelutheran.org
Director, circulation/marketing Curtis Peterson
curtis.peterson@
thelutheran.org
Study guide editor Robert C. Blezard
rcblezard@hotmail.com
Senior administrative assistant Barbara A. Fletcher Advertising
barbara.fletcher@thelutheran.org 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: $19.95 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 ©2015 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.
MICHAEL D. WATSON
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