Topics of Interest

It is certainly not necessary to write on one of these topics, but the editors would eagerly welcome submissions addressing them.

Whatever happened to kneelers?
The lectionary: How good? How meaningful is the ecumenical unity it claims to represent? Are there good reasons for going off the lectionary, temporarily or permanently?
The Trinitarian name
The Jewishness of Jesus
Reasons for being Lutheran (& non-reasons for being Lutheran)
Lutheran education at all levels (elementary, high school, college)
Catechesis of unchurched/lapsed adults: Catechumenate, New member classes,Alpha, Confirmation for adults
Alternative hymnals
Legacy of Pietism, both Midwestern and Eastern kinds; when is Pietism not bad?
Why the East-Midwest divide? Cultural or theological? What are southeastern Lutherans like? Southwestern? Far western?
The diaconate
National youth gatherings
Are Lutherans Protestants?
Where does the term “evangelical catholic” come from? What does it mean now? Likewise “gnesio” and other demarcators. How did factions develop apart from ethnic groups?
Sources and legacy of liturgical renewal movement
Feminism: what’s worth keeping? what isn’t?
Patriotism for Lutherans
Race/ethnicity and Lutheran identity; shifting Lutheran demographics
“Lutheran Voices” series by AF; “Handbook series” by AF
Is there such a thing as “ethics”?
Formation of clergy & first call education
The use and abuse of Bonhoeffer (the “Lutheran aversion” to “purity”)
Do pastors tithe? Should anybody tithe?
Bequests: good for churches or bad?
Is confirmation a repeatable rite?
What exactly is a pastor’s job?
What is Sunday worship for? Praise of God; witness to others; personal fulfillment?
Why are there so many bad Lutheran preachers?
What can church discipline (specifically of laity) look like in America? Is it even possible?
“Open absolution” in LCMS practice
Baptism as “bath” and communion as “meal”
Deaconess ministry and training in ELCA and LCMS
History of ecumenical agreements in predecessor ELCA bodies
Seminarian issues: Health insurance, Debt, 3rd year internship for families, licensing vicars, curriculum, “self-elimination” strategy, 2nd career students, why aren’t the brightest and best becoming pastors?, DELTO, TEEM, and other educational alternatives, regional ties vs. the draft, spiritual and pastoral formation