The texts we read during Lent, Holy Week, and into Easter remind us that Jesus is all over the place. He’s in the wilderness and up to Galilee and in Jerusalem and over to Bethany. He talks to the poorest of the poor, the richest of the rich, and everyone in between. And throughout his journey from Gethsemane to Golgotha to the Emmaus road, he’s constantly on the move—here, there, and everywhere.
The same can be said for us—the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit is on the move not only through churches with wood doors and big basements but in house churches, spirit-led businesses, informal Bible studies, impromptu street gatherings, and more.
For many of us, the word “church” brings certain institutional expressions to mind—a dedicated building, professional staff, programming centered around Sunday worship. These practices remain central to so many Christian ministries. And, in today’s contexts we are being invited to think broadly and creatively about new ways of being the body of Christ in the world as well.
Last month I shared about the first of four pivots—from fixing to wondering, a pivot of posture. This month, our second pivot is a pivot of structure, from holding onto a one-shape-fits-all definition of church to what has come to be known as a mixed ecology of Christian communities.
The church landscape today is just as diverse in structure and function as it has always been. We need to name this diversity and lift up all communities of faith, even those that do not look like our own image of church. Comfort with this emerging mixed ecology means supporting both inherited and innovative forms of Christian community as we seek to connect with people where they live, work, and play.
At Luther Seminary, we continue to nurture engagement with a range of voices and perspectives in the body of Christ.
In February, we learned about connecting and conversing in new ways with science and scientists as we welcomed professor Rick Lindroth of the University of Wisconsin–Madison to deliver the 2024 Rutlen Lecture on Faith and Creation, “Science, Truth, and Christian Faith in a Time of Eco-Crisis.” Rick helped us better understand how science functions in society, how to read between the lines of public discourse about science, and how to wonder in uplifting ways about God’s creation even as we face serious eco-crises. The Rutlen Lecture is available to watch via YouTube, if you weren’t able to join us in person or online.
We also recently welcomed professor Justin Sabia-Tanis of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities to preach during a community worship service and to present during a lunch lecture, where he held up Genesis 1 and Acts 8 as models of a faithful response to LGBTQ+ people. Justin shared that his “presence here is a sign of a revolution. A revolution of inclusion. A revolution of justice. Of turning things around to see the imprint of God and God’s love on each and every person.”
Another way we are seeking to connect with people where they are is through the Faith+Lead Membership, which launched last month. Over the years, Faith+Lead has walked alongside diverse ministry leaders, practitioners, and faith communities to help navigate contemporary challenges that may be showing up in your congregations as well. We encourage you to learn more about this new membership option to explore Faith+Lead’s growing library of on-demand digital courses, live coaching and workshops, breakthrough spiritual practices, and a supportive online community for real transformation.
Jesus’ movement throughout creation took him even to the cross and the grave. As we await the promise of Easter morning, we trust that there is nowhere we can go that Christ has not gone already. Thanks be to God for the beautiful diversity of the body of Christ and our journeys—all over the place.
Peace and blessings,
Robin Steinke
President