The ELCA Office for Theological Ethics Seeks Feedback on Civic Life and Faith Social Statement Draft

The ELCA Office for Theological Ethics Seeks Feedback on Civic Life and Faith Social Statement Draft

by Bishop Michael Rinehart The 2019 Churchwide Assembly called for the development of a statement on civic life and faith. A draft is now ready. Proposed statements are typically made public for a period of 8-9 months. The committee requests that we read it and provide feedback between now and September 30, 2024. The Draft was posted the first of the year. Drafts are invitations for response—they do not represent official teaching of the ELCA. Hearings within synods and congregations are the...

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Good News about Seminary Debt

Good News about Seminary Debt

by Bishop Michael Rinehart You are a generous synod. A few weeks ago I had the great joy of writing thousands of dollars in checks to pay Seminary debt for some of our clergy. You made this happen. Our endowment has grown from $1 million to $4 million over the last 15 years. A significant portion of the annual interest from that endowment goes to support seminary students from this synod. Our goal is that no student incur any seminary debt. We have been successful for many years. Still, we...

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DMin Wonder

DMin Wonder

by The Rev. Jen Kindsvatter “Wait, does this mean you can give me a shot now?” This is the first question my daughter, Emma, asked when I told her I was starting a Doctor of Ministry program. At the age of eight, the prescribed immunization schedule weighs heavy on her mind. “No, I will not be the kind of doctor that gives you shots. I will be the kind of doctor that applies academic learning to practical ministry.” This answer appears to bore her, so she goes back to crafting a parachute for...

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Lisa’s Pieces: Creation Care Tips from the Synod Lutherans Restoring Creation Team for February 2024

Lisa’s Pieces: Creation Care Tips from the Synod Lutherans Restoring Creation Team for February 2024

By Lisa Brenskelle For more information on any of the below, or for creation care assistance/information, contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com or see our new website! The team is seeking additional members. If you would be willing to serve, please contact us. The mission of Lutherans Restoring Creation is to promote incorporation of care for creation into the full life and mission of the church, working in five areas: worship, education, discipleship, building & grounds, and public...

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Annual Gulf Coast Synod Candidacy Retreat

Annual Gulf Coast Synod Candidacy Retreat

By Tracey Breashears Schultz, Bishop’s Associate for Leadership Candidates are those preparing for rostered ministry, or for service as pastors and deacons. In our synod, 21 candidates are in some stage of the approximately four-year process. Although the steps can take many forms, from on-line learning to in-person residency to some combination of these two, we accompany our candidates each step of the way. I am joined in this work by our synod’s candidacy committee, made up of pastors,...

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Meet Pastor José Luis Escalera, Bishop’s Associate for Mission

Meet Pastor José Luis Escalera, Bishop’s Associate for Mission

by Bishop Michael Rinehart Pastor José moved to Texas and began his work with us in the Gulf Coast Synod in November. This week I sat down with him to hear about his journey in ministry.  José was born in Ponce, a town in the south of the Island of Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico (“Rich Port”) is an island in the North Caribbean Sea, about a thousand miles from Miami and 2,000 miles from Houston. Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, but Puerto Rico is considered a U.S. territory, not a state. As such,...

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Lisa’s Pieces: Creation Care Tips from the Synod Lutherans Restoring Creation Team for February 2024

Lisa’s Pieces: Creation Care Tips from the Synod Lutherans Restoring Creation Team for January 2024

By Lisa Brenskelle For more information on any of the below, or for creation care assistance/information, contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com or see our new website! The team is seeking additional members. If you would be willing to serve, please contact us. The mission of Lutherans Restoring Creation is to promote incorporation of care for creation into the full life and mission of the church, working in five areas: worship, education, discipleship, building & grounds, and public...

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ELC-CAR 100th Anniversary Report

ELC-CAR 100th Anniversary Report

By Véronique Eberhart and Bishop Michael RinehartIntroduction The 100th Anniversary The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic was founded in 1923 when American missionaries arrived, planting churches, pharmacies, clinics, and schools. The church has 125,000 members spread over seven regions. Congregations are served by Catechists who lead a service of the word. Pastors rotate through multiple congregations which celebrate communion when the pastor is present.President...

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An Invitation to Installations

An Invitation to Installations

By Tracey Breashears Schultz, Bishop’s Associate for Leadership If you Google the word installation, the internet will give you a link to the home pages of Lowe’s and other stores that sell appliances. The first dictionary definitions of the word are related, “the act of installing something as equipment,” or “a large piece of equipment installed for use, i.e. ‘the installation of a central air conditioning system.’” In the church, we have a tradition of installing people, namely pastors and...

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You’re Invited to Preach on the Prairie

You’re Invited to Preach on the Prairie

By Tracey Breashears Schultz, Bishop’s Associate for Leadership This post has been edit - the original post is below. Preach on the Prairie has been moved from the prairie to the Zoom screen! The cost of the event is now $25 for two sessions with Dr. Karyn Wiseman. As before, Dr. Wiseman will walk us through the lectionary texts for Lent so you may end the event with a preaching plan (or at least some solid ideas) for the season. The programming is now one day and two sessions: Tuesday,...

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