Weekly Blog Posts
The following blog posts are written by Bishop Jen Nagel, Synod staff members, and leaders from the Minneapolis Area Synod.
I’m picking up good … ideas
By Pastor John Hulden I started out as a half-time solo pastor at church on the lower Eastside of Saint Paul. Fresh out of seminary, I kept asking, “What are the advantages to our small [...]
A call for partnership
By Pastor Wondimu Sonessa In December of 2023, leaders of our Synodically Authorized Worshipping Communities and our Strategic Ministry congregations gathered for their quarterly meeting with the chair of the synod’s Mission Table, Pastor Deanna [...]
Four stages of happiness
By Mercy Zou Taithul In remembrance of the death of India’s highest recognized civilian, Ratan Naval Tata, who passed away on October 9, 2024, I would like to share one of his beautiful stories called [...]
Living and leading faithfully in tense times
By Bishop Jen Nagel A week ago today we finished up this year’s Minneapolis Area Synod Bishop’s Theological Conference (a gathering of our synod’s pastors and deacons) with its theme “Living and Leading Faithfully in [...]
Resorting to learn
By Pastor John Hulden Fair Hills, Cragun’s, Madden’s, Grand View Lodge, Heartwood, Arrowwood. If you have driven to the lakes country north of the Twin Cities, some of these names might be familiar. This is [...]
The cult of busyness
By Nicholas Tangen I discovered Centering Prayer almost a decade ago from a Spiritual Director who invited me to explore the contemplative dimensions of the Christian tradition and embrace meditation as a counterbalance to the [...]
Gathering as a family of God
By Pastor Wondimu Sonessa Last week, September 11 in particular, marks one year since I received the call to serve as an interim director of evangelical mission for the Minneapolis Area Synod. One privilege of [...]
Spinning out of control
By Bob Hulteen I’m a communications director. I’ve previously been employed by faith-based nonprofits, and now I work on messaging for the synod – telling the synod’s story in a light that is accessible and [...]
‘Crowded table’
By Bishop Jen Nagel The song that’s been tumbling through my head these last few days is called “Crowded Table” by The Highwomen. “I want a house with a crowded table, and a place by [...]
‘Kindle a fire’
By Pastor Wondimu Sonessa While recently thinking about the value of partnerships, I reflected on the experience of the apostle Paul and his companions as they were sailing for Rome. During the several days of [...]