churches and congregations—to see where we are the same,” she said. “The Lutheran inspired congregations and individuals to live out the good news in new ways.” When it comes to social issues, the magazine was
known for taking a bold and transparent stance, reflecting the church’s commitments to the gospel and confronting church and society’s most pressing challenges. “During my time as editor, we were just coming
into an understanding of women’s ordination, issues related to abortion and, of course, we had issues related to racism in the ’60s and other social concerns,” Trexler said. “I reported frequently on ecumenical efforts.” Even in its earlier formats The Lutheran’s
predecessor publications covered social topics such as prohibition and Hollywood films. “The [earlier publications] were frequently in
favor of the temperance movement and prohibition,” said ELCA archivist Joel Thoreson. “The Lutheran Observer often included a page under the heading ‘Temperance and Reform’ in its 1897 issues, and The Lutheran Standard published an article in 1924 against the movies.” While the topics varied in scope and evolved along
with the church, the magazine remained committed to covering issues that were most important to the ELCA. “I made sure we were a magazine that had some
nerve and backbone when we needed to,” Trexler said. “But we always made sure that what we were publishing was consistent with the major concerns of the church itself—to address the issues that the church was passionate about.”
Looking to the future Throughout the years the magazine’s overall character and editorial content has been consistent.
1973 The Lutheran 2013 The Lutheran 2014 The Lutheran Lutheran OCTOBER 2015
www.thelutheran.org $2.50 Women and the Reformation
Story Page 16
Study
guide Page 22
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cover-1015.indd 1 See more vintage covers at
LivingLutheran.org.
12 Getting a new pastor 26 Kelly on my mind 32 Trick or treat?
●38 Top dog for seniors ®
During its long tenure, however, The Lutheran has weathered several challenges in the midst of change. Surviving the digital age was one such challenge. When the ELCA was first established, the
magazine circulated to 1.2 million members, 18 times a year. The goal was to reach every ELCA household. “Every family was to receive a copy for free,” said
Daniel J. Lehmann, editor of The Lutheran from 2005 to February 2016. Several years later, amid the dawn of the Internet, the magazine adapted its circulation strategy. Its original goal remained intact—to reach as many members as possible. “We were one of the earliest church magazines to
go online in 1995,” Miller said. Now, more than 20 years later, the magazine looks
to reaffirm and reposition its place in cyberspace. With a focus on widening its digital presence, the magazine, now titled Living Lutheran, hopes to continue furthering its reach. “With a new name and enhanced website, Living
Lutheran will continue to be a consistent voice both in print and online,” said Jocelyn Fuller, ELCA director for strategic communications and interim editor and director for publications. “We are excited to provide our readers with more opportunities to connect, allowing for a deeper relationship with us.” While the magazine has witnessed a great deal of
change throughout its history, the stories have always played a vital role in connecting the entire church body to each other and the world. Living Lutheran will continue that legacy. “Storytelling is what we love to do, and we feel blessed to tell the world the stories of the ELCA,” Fuller said.
Dierberg Clark is a freelance writer living with her husband and twins in Chesterton, Ind.
2016 Living Lutheran
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