Weekly Blog Posts
The following blog posts are written by Bishop Jen Nagel, Synod staff members, and leaders from the Minneapolis Area Synod.
Were You There? Will You Be?
By Bishop Ann Svennungsen Thanks to the thoughtfulness of a fellow Concordia College alum, I attended last Saturday’s world premiere of “The Passion of Jesus Christ” by Rene’ Clausen. Commissioned for the 125th anniversary of [...]
Synod assembly: If you plan it, they will come
By Bob Hulteen Over the years, I’ve been to more than five dozen church conventions. I’ve probably been a voting member at a couple dozen; and an observer, first with my parents and then on [...]
Pretending to be a pastor
By Pastor John Hulden Today I had the privilege to take four pastors out to lunch so we could talk about – can you guess? – starting a Peer Group! Hey, how’s your peer group [...]
The real presence of community
by Bishop Ann Svennungsen Occasionally, I am free to worship at the church where our son, John Amos, is interred. The columbarium is next to the baptismal font; as I dip my fingers in the [...]
Come Together … for Peace
By Rev. Craig Pederson, Assistant to the Bishop The Prayer Vigil and March held at Luther Seminary last July to remember Philando Castile – the black man who was shot by police at a roadside [...]
The warmth of Nigeria
By Bishop Ann Svennungsen In the midst of 95 degree heat and under cloudless skies, some 30,000 Lutherans gathered for a five-day annual conference in Demsa, Nigeria. Arriving in vehicles of all sizes and kinds – including pick-up trucks with families sitting on top [...]
How is Your Neighbor?
By Bob Hulteen, Director of Communications, Stewardship, and Organizing I had always “prided” myself on not having traveled internationally. While all my friends were headed to other countries for service or learning or vacation, I [...]
Close Your Eyes, What Does God Look Like?
By Bob Hulteen, Director of Communications and Stewardship I have a confession to make, like a real confession: I don’t say the first line of the Lord’s Prayer. (It’s not the only slight edit I [...]
Welcomed by God’s Grace, Are We Ready to So Welcome?
By Bishop Ann Svennungsen What joy I felt to see the Star Tribune’s picture of the Somali family reunited last Thursday. Peeking behind a teddy bear as big as she, a four-year-old girl stands embraced [...]
The search for the “secret sauce” and Christian public leadership
By Rev. John Hulden, Assistant to the Bishop How is your congregation doing at lifting up leaders and sending them out to serve the Church? Can you name someone from your congregation who felt the [...]