Aging congregations, clergy driving change

From Gannett News Service: Aging is an issue that many traditional Christian churches cannot ignore.

And the issue is twofold:

* There are more gray-haired people in the pews and congregations are dwindling.

* Clergy are aging, too.

A 2001 report for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America set the median age of its members at 54 and the median age of the U.S. population at 41.

Read more: Aging congregations, clergy driving change

United Methodist, Lutheran Churches Pursue ‘Full Communion’ | Christianpost.com

United Methodist, Lutheran Churches Pursue ‘Full Communion’ | Christianpost.com

Herbert W. Chilstrom: What being evangelical means to me

Herbert W. Chilstrom: What being evangelical means to me
By tacking on a political agenda, some have sullied and secularized what once was a revered term, the former ELCA presiding bishop writes.

When does Christmas happen?

Youth Ministry Specialist Molly Beck Dean shared this reflection from Lisa Daross, a youth worker in our synod and a member of Synod Council:

He HADN’T stopped Christmas from coming. IT CAME! Somehow or other, it came just the same!
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before…maybe Christmas….perhaps…means a little bit more. — From How the Grinch Stole Christmas, by Dr. Seuss

I was cruising Facebook today and saw a friend’s status update. It was this: “is getting depressed knowing that Christmas is soon and I won’t even know it happened.” Wow. I messaged him, and it turns out he’s having knee surgery on December 18th, and he’ll be pretty much out of it for at least a month. Could be worse. But it got me wondering….

Lansing State Journal: New age: Aging congregations, clergy driving change

Lansing State Journal: New age: Aging congregations, clergy driving change

Everyday Lutherans Working in Mission and Ministry Overseas

wfn.org | Everyday Lutherans Working in Mission and Ministry Overseas

Immigration raids demean our values

Commentary by Bishop Roy Riley, NJ Synod, and Ralston Deffenbaugh of LIRS.

An early Christmas present

People from Lansdale and Trinity Lutheran Church sent $7,000 worth of toys and gifts for Central Elementary School children, teachers and staff in Katrina-ravaged Gulfport, MS…

SunHerald.com : An early Christmas present

Make sure to view the photo gallery.

wfn.org | ELCA Advocacy Offices Purchase Carbon Offset Credits

wfn.org | ELCA Advocacy Offices Purchase Carbon Offset Credits

WASHINGTON ELCA — The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ELCA Washington Office, ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility, Pittsburgh, and Lutheran Office for World Community, New York, have purchased carbon offset credits to mitigate their carbon emissions accumulated through air travel.

“Our offices have been working to reduce our carbon footprints by turning off lights and power strips when were not in our offices, for example. But short of turning off all electricity and ceasing to travel, its very difficult to eliminate your carbon emissions entirely,” said Mary Minette, ELCA director for environmental education and advocacy.

An unlikely magnet for Jewish students | Philadelphia Inquirer

AT Mullenberg College, An unlikely magnet for Jewish students | Philadelphia Inquirer | 12/10/2007