Last month began my 10-month fellowship with Luther Seminary’s “Seeds Project,” and just a little over a week ago I got my first in-person cohort experience. We are 16 beloved and diverse people from a broad range of racial and ethnic identities, geographic contexts, denominational affiliations, theological beliefs, and life experiences.

The ministry work that we are doing is equally broad and wonderful. Being a part of this cohort might be the first time in my life that I’ve ever had ‘imposter syndrome’! My cohort fellows are doing some really cool, amazing, and important work.

Part of the focus of this program is addressing the adaptive challenges of our modern day ministry landscape. We can all see that the church is facing great upheaval and cultural shifts right now. During our recent retreat last month, I marveled at how the classic institutions and patterns of “The Church” can change and are changing to meet people today, and also how the core of loving Jesus is still the same and holds all of us together.

This is a fun thing to be a part of and I’m excited for what this year has in store.