Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Amid decline, one Lutheran church strives to live up to its namesake’s spirit
By Yonat Shimron — October 16, 2017
CARY, N.C. (RNS) — Christ the King, located in a bedroom community to Raleigh, is pushing forward with a new vision, one that has less to do with Luther's theology and more with the spirit of his reform.
Here he stood: Lutheran pilgrims travel to Germany on Reformation anniversary
By Emily McFarlan Miller — October 5, 2017
EISENACH, Germany (RNS) — 'For all of Luther’s vehemence against the veneration of relics, that’s exactly what we’re doing,' said the Rev. Patrick Shebeck, leading a group organized by his Minnesota church on a pilgrimage through Germany's Luther Country.
Lutheran refugee agency is ‘cautiously hopeful’ following blocked immigration order
By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 27, 2017
CHICAGO (RNS) President Trump's executive order would have more than halved the number of refugees accepted by the United States from the current ceiling of 110,000.
US Lutherans approve document recognizing agreement with Catholic Church
By Emily McFarlan Miller — August 15, 2016
(RNS) The declaration comes as the Lutheran and Catholic churches prepare to kick off a year of celebrations to mark the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.
Study: Changes in racial composition lead to decline in church attendance
By Kimberly Winston — May 10, 2016
(RNS) Does higher diversity lead to lower attendance in churches? A new study says yes.
Two Lutheran seminaries will merge instead of closing, forming a new school
By Yonat Shimron — April 29, 2016
(RNS) The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg said they would be “forming one seminary” from the two existing institutions.
Why greater diversity may (temporarily) thin out your pews
By Tobin Grant — April 27, 2016
Congregations that grow in diversity may decline in attendance.
Two Lutheran seminaries to close and reopen as new school
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald — January 15, 2016
(RNS) The new plan comes as mainline Protestant seminaries take steps to weather financial storms caused by an average drop in enrollments of nearly 24 percent since 2005.
The journey of one transgender Latina in the church
By Becky Garrison — June 29, 2015
(RNS) Nicole Garcia says she was "a good Catholic boy" when she was in her teens. Today, she is a candidate for ordination in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. She is on track to be the denomination’s first transgender clergyperson of color.
Mainline Protestants: Vintage or vibrant?
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — October 15, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) When Religion News Service readers took up Carol Howard Merritt's quest to re-brand mainline Protestants, our unscientific survey opened the door to spirited fans and critics alike.
Take your pick: Give mainline Protestants a new name
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — October 4, 2013
(RNS) Carol Merritt thinks mainline Protestants could use some rebranding to convey their rising diversity and social justice leadership. Here are a couple of suggestions. Pick one or add your own.
Lutherans take surprise step in electing female presiding bishop
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — August 15, 2013
(RNS) The Rev. Elizabeth Eaton will take over from Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson, who will step down after 12 years of overseeing the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, one of the country’s largest denominations.
ELCA Lutherans elect first openly gay bishop
By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — June 3, 2013
(RNS) Observers say the election of the first openly gay Lutheran bishop in the United States is as significant as the decision to ordain women clergy, but they don't expect the decision to split the 4 million-member ELCA.
Racing reverend puts faith into 750-horsepower dragster
By David Yonke — November 26, 2012
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (RNS) Until his recent retirement, the Rev. Dale Schaefer spent most Sunday mornings wearing vestments and leading worship services at St. Mark's Lutheran Church. Whenever he had a day off, the soft-spoken preacher would slip a helmet over his gray hair, don a racing suit, and climb into the cockpit of a 750-horsepower dragster he built from the ground up. By David Yonke.
Female Lutheran pastor mounts uphill bid for Ohio congressional seat
By David Yonke — October 31, 2012
TOLEDO, Ohio (RNS) The Rev. Angela Zimmann is an ordained Lutheran minister and is believed to be the only female minister running for Congress this year. By David Yonke.
