This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
Editor notes


By Daniel J. Lehmann Considerations


for this Lent One personal, one corporate


A


s winter drags on into another month, the church season of Lent at this time appropri- ately ushers in a period of self-examination,


often through prayer, penance, fasting and the like. These ancient practices have seen additions


over the years, with some faithful moving from pious acts of self-denial to those more overtly “giving” in nature, such as additional volunteer activity during the period that stretches from Ash Wednesday on Feb. 18 to Easter on April 5. Let me suggest two other possibilities or additions. First, be sure to read


“Contemplate spiritual practices for Lent” (page 12). Joann Nesser, founder and retired director of the Christos Center for Spiritual Formation in Lino Lakes, Minn., offers practical steps to incorporate the acts of solitude, silence and prayer of early Christians into our modern lives. She says Western Christians are search- ing for meaning and by looking to the past “are finding a deep spiritual life that heals inner wounds from life’s hurts and loneliness from modern life’s isolation.” Also drawing on this time of self-examination, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth


A. Eaton worked with a task force to develop a resource that asks congregations to “reflect on the nature and purpose of the church, especially in relation to our global and ecumenical commitments to other church bodies. [A] review has prompted this group to ask you—leaders, members and friends of ELCA con- gregations—what you think about this question: How do we make a difference by being the church together?” The resource, “Claimed, Gathered,


Sent: A Guide for Conversation,” is now available at www.elca.org/faith. According to the leader guide, there are five handouts, each outlining a process for conversation among various groups within congregations. The first four handouts focus on the emphases Eaton identified for the ELCA shortly after her election: we are church, we are Lutheran, we are church together, we are church for the sake of the world. The fifth portion looks at the ELCA’s relationship with its global and ecu-


menical partners, particularly the Lutheran World Federation. The goal is “to invite reflection, conversation and discernment about what


being the church means today” and “to strengthen the mission and ministry of congregations and the ELCA as a whole by going back to our spiritual roots.” Eaton and the sponsoring Ecclesiology of a Global Church Task Force


hope participants will identify issues and questions for further consideration. Congregations are asked to note their insights, stories and future plans after completion of the process and send them to faith@elca.org. We should never stop contemplating how we might best serve. T is is an opportunity for every congregation to engage in constructive work that can have an impact on the life of the entire ELCA for years to come. 


4 www.thelutheran.org 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)


We should never stop contemplating how we might best serve.


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