By John Mai Hurricane Harvey struck parts of Texas and Louisiana in 2017, and over the past two years, St. Philip’s Disaster Relief has made five trips to Conrow, Texas, to assist in long-term recovery. Mike Anderson and Renee Johnson, the relief program’s two coordinators, and 12 other volunteers embarked on the team’s 76th overall […]
Ministry Imagination Grants: Imagine. Innovate. Initiate. By Nick Tangen Every Wednesday at Zion Lutheran Church in South Minneapolis a group of congregants and neighbors gather to serve and share a meal and build community around the table. These Lyndale Community Dinners have been a staple of this neighborhood’s life for nearly 20 years, and the […]
By John Mai On October 11, 2019, Minneapolis Area Synod Bishop Ann Svennungsen was honored with Concordia College’s Alumni Achievement Award. She received the award during the college’s Homecoming Banquet in front of hundreds of alumni who returned to their alma mater. Three other alumni – Dr. Paul Brandvik (59), Dr. Kristi Ferguson (71), and […]
Ministry Imagination Grants: Imagine. Innovate. Initiate. By Dennis Sanders “We say we’re bondage to sin and can’t free ourselves,” says Ed Treat, the pastor of Transfiguration Lutheran Church in Bloomington. “Addiction is anything that you do that is hurtful, you know, and you keep doing it.” Treat understands what it means to be in bondage. […]
By John Mai Caleb Rollins has been working for Lutheran Volunteer Corps (LVC) for just a short month, but you would not suspect this by looking at him. The truth is, Caleb carries himself like a seasoned professional. His confidence in himself and enthusiasm about his work make him apt to be the program manager […]
By Courtney Olsen In an age in which rhetoric around the “dying church” is prevalent and laden with emotion, less attention is focused on the ways in which churches are adapting to give new life to their congregations. Against such a backdrop and faced with low membership and subsequently lower financial contributions, First Lutheran Church […]
Ministry Imagination Grants: Imagine. Innovate. Initiate. By Dennis Sanders The Twin Cities is blessed with a number of faith communities that openly welcome and affirm LGBTQ people, especially in the Minneapolis Area Synod. “Religion Row” at the Twin Cities Pride Festival is filled with booths from various congregations spanning all faiths, an indication of the […]
Ministry Imagination Grants: Imagine. Innovate. Initiate. By Dennis Sanders Pastor and chef Jose Flores chopped vegetables while talking to the small class gathered at Our Father’s Lutheran Church in Rockford. The crowd watched as he prepared what the audience would soon eat for lunch. He keeps chopping as he utters, “The most amazing conversations happen […]
Ministry Imagination Grants: Imagine. Innovate. Initiate. By Dennis Sanders A vibrant Minneapolis neighborhood surrounds Mount Olive Lutheran Church. Like the shops at the renowned Midtown Global Market, filled with food and goods from every corner of the globe, the West Powderhorn Park neighborhood is remarkably diverse. “The community that Mount Olive is placed in is […]
Ministry Imagination Grants: Imagine. Innovate. Initiate. By Courtney Olsen The church holds great potential for making positive change in communities. However, intercultural incompetence can have extremely negative effects on community outreach by churches, even when members act with the best intentions. In the last year, Nativity Lutheran Church in Saint Anthony has made a concerted […]