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By Daniel J. Lehmann
Lent: A time to take stock
Future of magazine under review W
elcome to Lent, almost. The 40-day sea- son begins with Ash Wednesday, which falls this year on Feb. 22. As our study
guide writer, ELCA pastor Robert C. Blezard, points out in his solid reflection on the cover
story (page 20) the purpose of Lent is to “focus on practices and exercises that will help strengthen our faith and draw us closer to God” (page 26). The cover article itself strikes a decidedly different tone found in tradi- tional Lenten essays. Written by my predecessor as editor, ELCA pastor David L. Miller zeroes in on the grace of God, offering a variety of ways to access God’s loving nature. He pushes aside the usual consideration of our sinful nature, citing how in his youth that made him feel unworthy of “know- ing God and receiving his grace.”
Blezard asks in the first exercise of his study guide how we remember the
Lenten seasons of our childhood and if they are different now. Lent certainly was time for self-examination and repentance in my home congregation. The still short days of ebbing winter and early spring added to the melancholy in that Midwestern venue. Lent was serious. So much so that in addition to considering sinner/saint status, it was also a time for review of all aspects of life. That continues to this day. Which for me includes consideration of The Lutheran magazine. What
can we do differently, or more/less of, to make this magazine relevant to the members of the ELCA? How do we make a convincing case that it’s a resource worthy of purchase by congregations? What are all those congre- gations that walked away from the magazine, particularly in the past few years, doing to keep members informed about the church beyond their parish boundaries? Last October readers were asked to weigh in with ideas. Most responses
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were supportive, if not specific about what to do. So this year The Lutheran will engage a professional consultant who has strong insight into the ELCA to assist us in getting input from appropriate parties to questions such as: Is the mission of The Lutheran the same today as it was in 1988? Should it be? How might it be different? Can electronic communications fill all the niches currently and/or previously met by the magazine? If a print component is still a valuable asset for the ELCA, how do we pay for it? Do we still need a monthly publication, be it print or digital or both? Should we revisit a proposal from a few years ago to figure out how to provide a copy of the magazine to every ELCA household/as many households as possible?
As time draws short, we continue to run the race
at The Lutheran, trusting as one letter writer this month put it, that “Christ remains firm.” M
Is the mission of The Lutheran the same today as it was in 1988? Should it be? How might it be different?
MICHAEL D. WATSON
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