Archived Sections, Commentary

Are you as excited as we are?

Bob Hulteen / June 25, 2012

Have you been reading the “commentaries” by Metro Lutheran board members that appear in each issue? For the last six months, volunteer board members have been “testifying” about why they devote time, energy, and money to Metro Lutheran. I have been pretty touched. (Read what Lois Holtz and Jason Schierschlight have to write in its entirety in the July issue.)
For instance, this month Jason Scherschligt, the very insightful chair of the editorial committee, explores in just three paragraphs a future for Metro Lutheran. It has been, is, and always will be, a newspaper. But, it won’t survive if that’s all it is. So, we are moving (admittedly slowly) toward a greater electronic presence and smarter use of social media options. That way we can share “Lutheran news and views” in the languages of post-modern people.

Bob Hulteen

I guarantee you that I am the only person that attended all those assemblies!

Lois Holtz, longtime chair of the nominations committee, has always been quick to point out that Metro Lutheran goes places no other local independent media can go. We are positioned to offer a unique perspective on issues before us.
Other board members have stressed Metro Lutheran’s independence and the diversity of voices associated with the paper.
My calendar in the month of June can demonstrate the breadth of this diversity. On June 8, I went to St. Peter to cover the Southwestern Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) as it met in assembly. On June 13, I was in New Ulm, writing a story about the Minnesota District of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), a story you can find on elsewhere on this website.
I was scheduled to go to Thief River Falls to attend the national conference of the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations. (Car problems sacked this trip; luckily my sister-in-law Darlene Hegrenes Hulteen could shoot photos, and board member Bob Lee could offer a rundown of the conference events.)
The following day I watched as the Minnesota South District of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod elected a new president for the first time in 21 years. (Again, see “Woodbury’s Nadasdy elected Minnesota South District president.”)
The following week, as this edition is at the printers, I will travel to Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato for the national Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) convention. The next day, after a board meeting, I will head for Eau Claire, Wisconsin, for the national assembly of the Church of the Lutheran Confession (CLC).
I guarantee you that I am the only person that attended all those assemblies!

Recognition from peers

External sources are also excited about Metro Lutheran’s offerings. The newspaper had its best year ever at the Associated Church Press’ annual awards banquet. The paper received a first place for its editorial entry (“Where Christianity and capitalism collide,” by Paul Harrington), and third place awards for in-depth coverage (Mark Granquist’s “Faithful and Reforming”), columnist (Laura Mann’s “Imagine That!”), and Best in Class.
And, we have Dr. Martin Marty’s strong endorsement. He committed a long time ago to be the speaker this year at the Annual Dinner on October 14 at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, Minneapolis.
Many people are excited about Metro Lutheran. I hope you are, too. If you appreciate the paper, I ask you to join board members in supporting this ministry financially so we can continue to serve you. You can find a donate button on the home page of this website, or you can send a donation to Metro Lutheran, ATTN: Jean Johansson, 122 West Franklin, Suite 206, Minneapolis, MN 55404.

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