The more I considered the “buzz” about the so-called feminization of the church, the more I realized the concern was misguided. What we need are mature Christians, not manly Christians.

Most evangelicals are accustomed to the Mary of icons with an emotionless face, the Mary of statues draped in a powder blue robe, and the Mary of piety who quietly and submissively obeys orders. And, if you are like me, you have been nurtured in a faith that, intentionally or not, ignores Mary.

Despite the positive reviews I had heard of The Nativity Story, I went to the movie prepared to be a critic. After all, I thought, it was my duty to see through the cinematic gimmicks and factual errors to produce a film review. Though I came to the film a bit cynically, I left feeling uplifted and moved.

Since romantic ideals predominate the language of love in the American culture, many have argued that romance is overrepresented in our contemporary praise and worship music. 

Inclusive language—language hospitable to all people and the whole creation—has perplexed the church in our generation. Some people have radically rewritten hymn texts, some have stubbornly opposed any changes at all, and some have sought a middle ground. 

The articles in this issue of Mutuality celebrate the rich contributions that women like Jesus’ mother Mary, Sister Gertrude Morgan, and women who use their preaching gifts have made to the church’s worship

I don’t think my story or experience is much different from many, many other women who love Jesus and are called and gifted to preach.

Something powerful takes place when those who are called to be agents of change passionately devote themselves to prayer and worship. It’s like striking a match over logs soaked in fuel.

Sister Gertrude Morgan’s record reveals her single-minded commitment to worship. Her artwork and music were saturated with images and words from Scripture.

Coming of Age is a result of the Young Male Spirituality Project, a joint effort of Lutheran Men in Mission, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and Luther Seminary (St. Paul, Minn.) to find out why young men are staying away from the church in droves, a pattern that surveys are showing is increasingly alarming.