This version of the Lord’s Prayer begins with the rephrased line, "Our Guardian, Our Mother, Our Father in heaven," instead of the traditional "Our Father who art in heaven."
Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, the current governor of Minnesota, is a member of Pilgrim Lutheran Church in St. Paul, a congregation that embraces progressive values on issues such as gender, race, and sexuality—stances that differ significantly from those of many other Christian denominations.
During a 2020 briefing on the COVID-19 pandemic, Walz identified Pilgrim Lutheran as his parish. The church, part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has been at the center of debates within Christian communities for its liberal practices, such as avoiding male pronouns for God, supporting reparations funds, and celebrating Ramadan alongside its modified, gender-neutral version of the Lord’s Prayer.
The ELCA, known for its inclusive approach, has faced criticism from conservative Christians, including for its decision to ordain transgender and lesbian bishops and its broader support of LGBTQ+ rights. Jonah Wendt, a policy adviser for Mike Pence's Advancing American Freedom and a member of the more conservative Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod, expressed concern over these practices. Wendt argued that the ELCA’s positions on scripture, women’s ordination, and LGBTQ+ issues reflect what he sees as unbiblical views.
In 2015, Pilgrim Lutheran Church adopted “guidelines for language in worship,” promoting the use of gender-neutral and non-anthropomorphic terms to refer to God, such as "hen" or "baker," and encouraging parishioners to use titles like "advocate" or "healer" without attaching gendered pronouns. This includes a rephrased version of the Lord’s Prayer, which begins with "Our Guardian, Our Mother, Our Father in heaven" instead of the traditional "Our Father who art in heaven."
Pilgrim Lutheran Church has also been vocal in advocating for racial justice. In the wake of George Floyd’s death in 2020, the church urged its members to participate in protests and vigils, emphasizing the need to support their community during the unrest. Walz’s handling of the riots, particularly his delayed deployment of the Minnesota National Guard, drew criticism, with some arguing that his inaction contributed to the extensive damage in Minneapolis.
Racial justice is a core tenet of Pilgrim Lutheran Church’s mission. The congregation has encouraged donations to a local reparation fund aimed at providing housing stipends to Black residents in St. Paul, framing it as an effort to atone for the church’s complicity in systemic racism. The church’s Pilgrim Advocates for Racial Equity team, along with its Racial Justice Task Force, has hosted discussions on topics like white privilege and promoted literature such as *The 1619 Project* to foster antiracist perspectives among its members.
The church’s progressive stance extends to issues of sexuality and gender, actively participating in gay pride parades, supporting nonbinary and gender non-conforming individuals, and maintaining gender-neutral restrooms. These initiatives align with Walz’s own legislative actions, including a 2023 bill that empowers the state to revoke custody from parents who deny their children access to gender-affirming care.
Pilgrim Lutheran Church also seeks to build bridges with the Islamic community, having encouraged its members to attend meals celebrating Ramadan and display signs wishing a “Blessed Ramadan.” Walz himself has shown solidarity with Minnesota’s Muslim community by attending religious meals and speaking at events hosted by local chapters of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Wendt views these actions as part of a broader trend of mainline Protestant denominations conforming to cultural shifts, which he believes risks straying from traditional Christian teachings.
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