Main Street Lutherans

Episode Notes Sarah Jones from the ELCA Church Property Resource Hub shares this somewhat new resource for all congregations to help with issues that come up around property maintenance and uses. Links Church Property Resource Hub October Town Hall Event (Virtual) * **** Property Stewardship Bible Study *** **** Space Rental Strategies for Mission and Sustainability ** ** Forum: The Church Propert...

Episode Notes Kelle Shepherd-Bhavsar tells us about an experiment in Metro Detroit that brought talks about Jesus and Justice to a comedy club along with some great music. Links Ferver Music Jesus and Justice Suggest your Congregation to be BETTER KNOWN Suggest your Synod to be BETTER KNOWN www.mainstreetlutherans.com Instagram Facebook Threads YouTube ‪(734) 250-9554‬ Music by Viktor Hallman Find...

Episode Notes The ELCA's Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry joins the show to discuss being called into service with the church in a variety of ways. We also get to know another congregation better, King of Glory Lutheran Church in Dallas, TX. Links All Together in One Place Presiding Bishop Curry’s first monthly communication Shekinah Chapel King of Glory Lutheran Church KoG Gusto KoG Martin’s Music C...

Episode Notes Dr Mark Tranvik (Luther Seminary) returns to discuss the history and implications of social protest and civil resistance in the Lutheran Church. Links ELCA Social Statement Civic Life and Faith (2025) One Million Neighbors Podcast Bonhoeffer for Armchair Theologians Suggest your Congregation to be BETTER KNOWN Suggest your Synod to be BETTER KNOWN www.mainstreetlutherans.com Instagra...

Episode Notes Dave Scherer travels and performs as Agape at all sorts of church events with a distinctly Lutheran message of hope and inclusion. This conversation didn't go the way we thought it would. What Dave says needs to be heard. Links AGAPE* JUSTMove   White Men for Racial Justice Rachel Kurtz Joe Davis Poetry Suggest your Congregation to be BETTER KNOWN Suggest your Synod to be BETTER KNOW...

Episode Notes Pastor Becky Resch joins to talk about the part of becoming a Rostered Leader in the ELCA that isn't just taking classes in a seminary. We learn about the TEEM pathway and that the whole thing isn't as intimidating as some would say. Links ELCA Candidacy Page Candidacy Manual Suggest your Congregation to be BETTER KNOWN Suggest your Synod to be BETTER KNOWN www.mainstreetlutherans.co...

Episode Notes Pastors Wendy Farone and Dan Smail join us from their congregations outside of Pittsburgh to talk about their podcast that started in 2018. We talk about media options for congregations and how to get started. Links Understanding Church Podcast Bethlehem Lutheran Church Faith Lutheran Church Bishop Katrina Foster Lutheran FAQ from SC Synod Suggest your Congregation to be BETTER KNOWN...

Episode Notes Ben & Keith discuss the creeds used in Lutheran worship services. Links Book of Concord Apostles Creed Nicene Creed Athanasian Creed Understanding Church Podcast Association of White Lutherans for Racial Justice ELCA Church Property Resource Hub Suggest your Congregation to be BETTER KNOWN Suggest your Synod to be BETTER KNOWN www.mainstreetlutherans.com Instagram Facebook Thread...

Episode Notes Rev Dr Mark Tranvik helps us put the pieces together of Martin Luther's writings that don't reflect well through history. It's a longer episode, but well worth a listen. Let us know what you think. Links ELCA Blog: When Trust Is Broken Rev Dr Mark Tranvik (Luther Sem) Dr Tranvik's Books (Fortress Press) Suggest your Congregation to be BETTER KNOWN Suggest your Synod to be BE...

Episode Notes Keith and Ben discuss what you might experience in an ELCA congregation's Lenten worship services. We start with an acknowledgement of churches and people standing up against oppression and a reminder not to lose track that all people are created in the image of God, no matter what side they are on. We finish by recognizing the installation/consecration of Bishop Dr Haddad in Amman,...

Episode Notes The guys compare notes on the Christmas season in our Lutheran congregations' worship services. Links Holden Village Evacuation status Donate Suggest your Congregation to be BETTER KNOWN Suggest your Synod to be BETTER KNOWN www.mainstreetlutherans.com Instagram Facebook Threads YouTube ‪(734) 250-9554‬ Music by Viktor Hallman Find it at https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/jcOQ6kY2Cy...

Episode Notes A 70 minute episode answering YOUR Questions! Links A Beautiful Year: 52 Meditations on Faith, Wisdom, and Perseverence by Diana Butler Bass The Monday Connection On Being an Authentic Christian in a Weekday World by William E. Diehl Suggest your Congregation to be BETTER KNOWN Suggest your Synod to be BETTER KNOWN www.mainstreetlutherans.com Instagram Facebook Threads YouTube ‪(734)...

Read transcript Episode Notes The host of the podcast A Mighty Fortress Is Our Pod, Matthew Longfellow, joins the show to talk about his podcast, his seminary and Capital University experience, and how sharing conversations of "real" Lutherans helps with our own Lutheran identity. Links A Mighty Fortress Is Our Pod (Spotify) A Mighty Fortress Is Our Pod (Apple) A Mighty Fortress Is Our P...

Episode Notes Ben and Keith talk about the different ways that churches adapt when there isn't a pastor to preach and preside over communion and why that might happen. Links Suggest your Congregation to be BETTER KNOWN Suggest your Synod to be BETTER KNOWN www.mainstreetlutherans.com Instagram Facebook Threads YouTube ‪(734) 250-9554‬ Music by Viktor Hallman Find it at https://www.epidemicsound.co...

Episode Notes Justin Marquis shares a bike trip he and his partner took over the summer. The adventure included visiting ELCA congregations near the bike path. He shares what he learned about the church and himself on that journey. Ben and Keith share their life transitions and we get to know St Matthew Lutheran in York, PA. Links Dionysis on a Bike Justin announces the tour on Reddit After-Trip R...

Episode Notes Lamont Anthony Wells introduces us to the Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities (NECU) which is made up of 28 Lutheran institutions in the US and Canada. We get to know Unity Lutheran Church in Southgate, MI (and Ben mispronounces his pastor's last name). Links Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities (Old Site) Network of ELCA Colleges and Universities (New Site) Instagram Scho...

Episode Notes Dr Mark Granquist, professor of Lutheran history at Luther Seminary, returns to finish our deep dive into the history of the ELCA. This episode starts in the 1920s and comes up through the early 21st century, including Seminex and the merger of the ELCA. We didn't pick a congregation to know for this episode, but we're inviting you to ask Keith and Ben anything. Details in the episod...

Episode Notes Bishop Scott Johnson joins us from the Nebraska Synod to talk about Lay Ministry generally and specifically about the Parish Ministry Associates program that the Nebraska and Central States Synod have shared for more than 30 years. Our congregation we get to know this time is Prince of Peace in Addison, IL. Links Nebraska Synod Parish Ministry Associates Emmaus Lifelong Learning Prin...

Episode Notes Dr Andy Root, Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary, helps us talk about Evangelism through the Lutheran lens of the Theology of the Cross and the Theology of Consolation. We get to know the Nebraska Synod better with help from Bishop Scott Johnson. NOTE: Sorry about some of the audio weirdness. We had a computer crash and our backup equipment didn't...

Episode Notes The VP returns to go over the events of the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Our Better Know a Congregation is Peace First Lutheran in Astoria, Oregon. Links Churchwide Assembly Page CWA Videos Living Lutheran's Daily Summaries Outgoing Presiding Bishop Eaton's Report Meet the Bishop-elect of the ELCA, Rev. Yehiel Curry Peace First Lutheran Church PFLC YouTube Page Vi...

Episode Notes Cory Newman joins the show to discuss the work of the Lutheran Schools and the congregations that support them which make up the Evangelical Lutheran Education Association (ELEA). The episode ends with our first Better Know segment where we get to know New Spirit Lutheran in Tuscon, AZ. Links Evangelical Lutheran Educational Association 2025 ELEA Conference ELEA Endowment Nurturing F...

Episode Notes Ben previews the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. We announce a change in our "C Segment" to talk about congregations and synods. Look for links to help tell us about your congregation or synod. Links 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly Information Episodes 22 & 23 with VP Imran Siddiqui about the Churchwide Organization (These were in September and October 2024) CWA Officer El...

Episode Notes Rev Carla Christopher joins the show to discuss how the ELCA views the ways scripture is used to challenge inclusion of queer folks. We don't have a new Catechism Question for this episode. Enjoy your summer break! Links CarlaChristopher.org Reconciling Works Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries Embrace Lancaster PA (Facebook Group) 1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture (Movie)...

Episode Notes Ben and Keith summarize two important reports that were published for and about the ELCA in the first few months of 2025. The Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church's report and recommendations come from inside our house. A report from Barna and Fuller Seminary was made to give a perspective from outside. Links abound below. Catechism Question: What are the three “expressions” of t...

Episode Notes Ben & Keith discuss Episode 36 in which Keith talked with Pastor Imad Haddad from Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church in Amman, Jordan. They also discuss the ELCA's 1989 Social Message on Israel and Palestine. Catechism Question: What is the meaning of the word Sumud? Steadfastness Faithfulness Smelling Good Special Undertaking for Mid-East Unifying Diplomacy Links 1989 Soc...