![]() ![]() In response to a challenging letter, which suggested the magazine needed more robust theological content, Lehmann initiated the “Deeper understandings” column. Lehmann recalled how the magazine continued to blend inspirational stories with news of “what was happening in the denomination.” The latter were not always well-received, including stories that simply reported the facts about ELCA membership loss, aging clergy roster trends and declining seminary enrollments, he added. Lehmann, the ELCA’s first lay editor, brought to bear extensive secular journalistic experience, helpful at the time our denomination was seeking to become a more “public church.” The appointment of Daniel Lehmann as editor in 2006 marked a change seen more broadly in other church leadership positions. “I think we made a difference,” he concluded. Asked to do the same for the legacy of Living Lutheran and its predecessors, Trexler described their enduring impact as “influential.” Many remember his editorials that included one-word descriptors of ELCA churchwide assemblies. Trexler frequently reminded his colleagues that “The Lutheran is recording the contemporary history of the church.” Trexler saw the Lutheran’s role as helping “the church make good decisions.” ![]() Reflecting on the magazine’s approach under his leadership, Trexler said the goal was “sharing ideas and points of view, bringing out the best in the church and its people.” As the ELCA faced one after another challenging issue, Trexler saw the Lutheran’s role as helping “the church make good decisions.”Įach issue included stories about congregations that could be replicated elsewhere, profiles of individuals doing inspiring work, a feature about a global partner and news from the broader ecumenical scene. ![]() ![]() When the ELCA was formed in 1988, the editor of the former Lutheran Church in America’s publication was chosen to head a magazine by the same name for the new denomination. For a third of a century prior to his retirement in 1999, Trexler’s name appeared on the masthead of 660 issues of the Lutheran. Now In his mid-80s, Edgar Trexler is regarded by many as the dean of American Lutheran church journalists. Several individuals intimately involved with the magazine and others with insider views on church journalism shared their perspectives. Since American Lutheran publications first began in 1831 with the first issue of the Lutheran Observer, what has been their impact in the life of the church? More specifically, what role has Living Lutheran and its predecessor, the Lutheran, played in the ELCA? The format will change, but the storytelling will continue with an enhanced online presence at beginning in January 2024.Īs this historic change is upon us, a retrospective assessment is in order. Just as Luther embraced new technology, the magazine is adapting to new ways of communicating the ELCA’s message. These factors have affected this church’s flagship publication financially, and after this issue only one more Living Lutheran print edition will fall into our mailboxes. At the same time, costs to produce print publications have continued to increase. Websites, podcasts, blogs, social media-the options are many and growing. Technology has again changed the way people receive information. Since then Lutherans have been informed and guided by the printed word, including generations of magazines bearing the Lutheran name on their covers. Martin Luther’s reforming ideas spread like wildfire in the 16th century because the recently invented printing press enabled mass distribution of his treatises and pamphlets. ![]()
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