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Living an Ecumenical Life

An ELCA Pastor's reflections on life and the church

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Author: Pastor Ken

Ken Ranos serves as the pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Indianapolis, IN, a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He blogs at https://ecumenicallife.com/ .

I’m Not Ready

I’m Not Ready

I couldn't sleep the night after. I rarely cry, and I didn't that night, but I felt like I wanted to. When I woke up the following morning, my fears had found form.

Posted on 11 November 201611 November 2016 by Pastor KenPosted in PersonalTagged advocacy, LGBTQ+, racism, suicide, suicide prevention, us presidential election, violence, xenophobia. Leave a comment

In the Midst of Tragedy

In the Midst of Tragedy

We live in a culture and society that does everything it can to hide grief. But it's not okay. Everything's not okay.

Posted on 15 September 2016 by Pastor KenPosted in PersonalTagged grief, miscarriage, pregnancy. 6 Comments

It’s Hard

It’s Hard

We are a people of hope. Our God is not silent, and neither are we.

Posted on 10 August 201610 August 2016 by Pastor KenPosted in Church, TheologyTagged Alton Sterling, Baton Rouge, Dallas, ELCA, Elizabeth Eaton, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, hope, Jacques Hamel, Orlando, Philando Castile, Pulse. 1 Comment

The Greatness of Doubt

The Greatness of Doubt

Now, I know what you're thinking: of all the apostles to remember, of all those people who traveled with Jesus and participated in his ministry, why on earth would we remember “Doubting Thomas”? Isn't there someone better, more worthy, more qualified than Thomas?

Posted on 5 July 201621 July 2016 by Pastor KenPosted in SermonsTagged doubt, ELCA, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Jacqueline Bussie, John 14, Lutheran, Outlaw Christian, Thomas. Leave a comment

An Alternative Response

An Alternative Response

It might surprise us that some of Jesus's closest followers would think that destroying an entire town over one insult is okay, but should we be surprised?

Posted on 27 June 201621 July 2016 by Pastor KenPosted in SermonsTagged Charleston 9, ELCA, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, hate, LGBTQ+, love, Luke 9, Lutheran, Orlando 49. Leave a comment

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Ken Ranos is the pastor at Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Indianapolis, IN. Born and raised in Chicago, IL, he graduated from Capital University with a B.A. in Music and a B.A. in Religion; and from Trinity Lutheran Seminary with his M.Div. He’s a die-hard Chicago Blackhawks fan, a self-proclaimed nerd and geek, gamer, and student of liberation theology.

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