Adoption
Posted on April 14, 2025
by Sue Shields, LMHC, LIMHP, LPC
Adoption is a lifelong journey filled with joy, complexity, growth, and faith. As families consider adoption, it’s important to separate fact from fiction. Our culture, media, and even well-meaning friends often contribute to adoption myths or misunderstandings that can make the adoption journey more challenging.
Mental Health
Posted on April 9, 2025
by Rita Burley, LISW
Meet Rita Burley, LISW, a mental health therapist serving clients in person in Fort Dodge and Carroll, IA and throughout the state of Iowa via telehealth. With more than two decades of experience, Rita has a special interest in working with farmers, farming families, and rural communities.
Marriage & Relationships
Posted on April 2, 2025
by Hannah Fowler, tLMFT
As wonderful as babies are, the addition of a new member to the family system is certainly a time of adjustment! My husband and I both felt the strain of the adjustment and had to work at staying connected while caring for our tiny little blessing. Here are some ways we worked at staying connected.
Lutheran Family Service News
Posted on March 27, 2025
by Abby Larson
Join us to celebrate a beautiful, fruitful 47-year career of helping people in need, and the retirement from full-time ministry of our beloved Clinical Director, Toni Larson, LISW.
Godly Living
Posted on March 20, 2025
by Rev. Jonathan Conner
Paul is shining the blazing light of God’s Gospel promise in Jesus into his darkest moments and encouraging us to do likewise. He confidently asserts, “We KNOW” (not “hope, wish, or think) of God’s goodness and of his certainty in His saving actions, clearly displayed in the resurrection of Jesus and its implications for us.
Church Worker Wellness
Posted on March 16, 2025
by Lindy Hinckley, tLMFT
The firefighters who battle raging flames have to surmount incredible obstacles in fighting fires that can be compared to what pastors sometimes face in their spiritual battles. In our churches and communities, Pastors are often called to “put out fires.”
Adoption
Posted on March 11, 2025
by Tyler & Laura, Adoptive Parents
Gia’s adoption account, written by parents Tyler & Laura, is a story that almost didn’t have a happy ending. In the span of several days, the couple experienced every emotion on their turbulent ride, where some days it seemed like everything might fall apart. Read how Tyler & Laura navigated the journey and trusted God’s plan with ‘Gigi.’
Lutheran Family Service News
Posted on March 8, 2025
by Rev. Todd Kollbaum
Meet Rev. Todd Kollbaum, Director of Partner Engagement with Lutheran Family Service. A husband, father, grandparent, and pastor, Todd comes to LFS with a background in connecting congregations and church workers with ministry resources and support.
Mental Health
Posted on March 3, 2025
by Rev. Jonathan & Katy Crawford
Perhaps you’ve been asked, “Are you giving up anything for Lent?” There is a tradition in the church of individuals choosing something to abstain from during the 40-day season. This year rather than each of us choosing something individually, our congregation is joining together in giving up (or reducing our use of) screens.
Church Worker Wellness
Posted on February 20, 2025
by Rev. Dave Gunderson, tLMFT
Getting off on the wrong foot can create difficulty in a church worker’s ministry. What could your congregation do to help a new calling begin on a more positive note? Here are ten ways to welcome a new church worker to your church and community.
