Andrew Root, Carrie Olson Baalson professor of youth and family ministry, and Blair D. Bertrand are the authors of “When Church Stops Working: A Future for Your Congregation beyond More Money, Programs, and Innovation,” published by Brazos Press in May 2023. In it, they ask: What if the solution for the decline of today’s church isn’t more money, people, programs, innovation, or busyness? What if the answer is to stop and wait on God?

Larry L. Rasmussen ’65 M.Div. is the author of “The Planet You Inherit: Letters to My Grandchildren When Uncertainty’s a Sure Thing,” with foreword by Terry Tempest Williams (Broadleaf Books 2022). Rasmussen is the Reinhold Niebuhr professor emeritus of social ethics at Union Theological Seminary. As a grandfather and a scholar of faith-based earth ethics, […]

Earlier this week, our community gathered with joy to celebrate our 154th commencement. In that sacred space before God and their family and friends, our graduates heard the living Word of our Savior echoing through the ages: “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” (John 20:21) Commencement is […]

Dwight Zscheile, vice president of innovation and professor of congregational mission and leadership; Michael Binder, assistant professor of congregational mission and leadership; and Tessa Pinkstaff, innovation team project manager, are the co-authors of “Leading Faithful Innovation: Following God into a Hopeful Future,” published by Fortress Press this month. Churches and other communities of faith are […]

In this Easter season, when green shoots and spring flowers are finally emerging, it’s a delight to feel uplifted and optimistic. The words of the Easter Hymn resonate: “Now the green blade rises from the buried grain … love is come again like wheat arising green.” (ELW 379) Alleluia! Christ is risen! This season is […]

Karoline Lewis, Marbury E. Anderson chair in biblical preaching, is the author of “Belonging: 5 Keys to Unlock Your Potential as a Disciple,” published in January by Abingdon Press. “Belonging” helps readers to understand and live out Christian discipleship in a way that is most deeply authentic for themselves, asking: “What does it look like […]