Cover story:

Virtual community too

These ELCA-affiliated ministries build community with face-to-face and virtual interaction—connecting across all areas of people’s lives.
• Church of the Beloved, Edmonds, Wash.
• House for all Sinners and Saints, Denver.
• Netzer Co-op, Seguin, Texas.
• The Well of Hope Lutheran Church, Pineville & Charlotte, N.C.
• Mercy Seat, Minneapolis.
• Jacob’s Porch, campus ministry at Ohio State University, Columbus.
• Church of the Apostles, Seattle.
• Jacob’s Well, Minneapolis.
• Shekinah Chapel, Chicago.

Other emerging ministries are (or soon will be) under way in: Detroit; Nashua, N.H.; Waterfront, N.J.; San Antonio; Buffalo, N.Y.; and Champlain, Minn.

Study guide

Even as we adjust to new realities and cultures, we remain rooted in the confessions of the Lutheran church and the insights that sparked the Reformation 500 years ago. Today's emergent churches are the latest expression of this dynamic.

Spirit Garage

We're just trying to be church

Age of community: 10 years.

Kenna Stephens (from left); Mary, Liz and Elijah Dayton; Steve Metzger and daughter, Lily, listen to the children’s message at Spirit Garage in Minneapolis.

Location: A Minneapolis theater.

Web site: www.spiritgarage.org.

Leaders: Rob Norris-Weber, an ELCA pastor; a team that serves as a council; a vision team; Amy Santoriello, a student at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., who leads the children’s ministry; a changing group of four to 12 people who develop the Sunday messages; about 200 active participants.

Has your ministry changed over time?: “Spirit Garage is a little different than it used to be,” Norris-Weber said. “We get kids now. ... We still have events that are adult-only. But we convert the lobby of the theater to a children’s space during the sermon. Our kids follow the [sermon] message, then they have take-home questions for families. ... We needed to [do this]. If you’re truly an authentic Christian, it’s not about you, it’s about the other.”