Life Advocacy
Posted on August 4, 2022
by Rev. Dr. Jim Lamb, Life Advocate
As a life advocate, the need for your voice will be greater now. People, it seems, are being more vocal about their views. We may find increased tension; even in our congregations.
Church Worker Wellness
Posted on July 25, 2022
by Toni Larson, LISW
Church worker families have their actions and lives scrutinized by parishioners and folks in the general public. There is overwhelming pressure to be a “perfect” family that handles all situations and stresses flawlessly and without breaking a sweat.
Adoption
Posted on July 12, 2022
by Carla R. Roghair
I prayed and prayed to be pregnant to no avail. After a year of trying unsuccessfully to conceive, I went to the doctor and was referred to a specialist. Fertility drugs did not work.
Church Worker Wellness
Posted on June 27, 2022
by Rev. Dave Gunderson, LMFT
Being “blue” on occasion is normal, but being stuck in the “blues” is not. Some experience depression briefly, and with help, can move out of it. Others struggle with it their entire lives and may need both counseling and special medications. Learn 5 ways you can use to beat the “Blues” of depression.
Church Worker Wellness
Posted on May 18, 2022
by Toni Larson, LISW
Church workers’ transitions run the gamut of exciting, joyful, frightening and stressful. In addition to the usual church year transitions, there are transitions from one call to another and one home to another. For Lutheran school teachers, the transition is growing one class of students, saying goodbye, then welcoming another class a few months later.
Preparation can be helpful in handling life’s changes to reduce stress and expedite adjustment. In her article, “Ten Tips for Handling Life’s Transitions,” author Nylse Esahc (Ibelieve.com, March 10, 2019), suggested the following points with accompanying Bible references, followed by my observations.
Lutheran Family Service News
Posted on April 13, 2022
Louise Shideler has recently joined the Lutheran Family Service ministry team as our Director of Donor Engagement. Louise finds and meets with the folks with a heart for our ministry who will partner with us through their prayers and financial support so we can keep serving church workers, pregnant moms, babies, couples, and more!
Mental Health
Posted on April 12, 2022
Angela Kollbaum, Provisional License Mental Health Practitioner (PLMHP), has joined the Lutheran Family Service Christian counseling team as a master’s-level prepared mental health and marriage counselor. She serves clients in person in the Norfolk and North-East Nebraska area. Angela can also serve clients located anywhere in the state of Nebraska through telehealth/virtual counseling via smartphone, tablet or computer.
Mental Health
Posted on April 12, 2022
Jamie McWade, Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), has joined the Lutheran Family Service Christian counseling team as a master’s-level prepared and experienced mental health and marriage counselor and a Board Certified Tele-Mental Health Counselor. She serves clients in person in and around the Quad City, Iowa area; including those that speak Spanish. Jamie can also serve clients located anywhere in the state of Iowa through telehealth/virtual counseling via smartphone, tablet or computer.
Church Worker Wellness
Posted on April 6, 2022
by Toni Larson, LISW
Emotions are neither good nor bad. They just are. Emotions are a creation and gift of God. Pastors and other church workers face emotions every day. How you respond externally and internally can be critical to the success of your ministry.
Unplanned Pregnancy Counseling
Posted on March 30, 2022
Forty-three percent of pregnancies in Iowa and Nebraska, and 52 percent of pregnancies in Illinois, are unplanned according to data collected by the National Survey of Family Growth (NEJM, 2016). That means over 90,000 women may need help connecting with community and state resources, deciding between options, and more. This great need is one of the reasons Lutheran Family Service is launching a new division of its ministry, called Many Hearts Unplanned Pregnancy Support, to provide greater focus, service and resources specifically to women facing unplanned pregnancies in Iowa, Eastern Nebraska and North & Central Illinois.
