Lutheran Sentinel: Origin, History, Future

A small group of pastors and laymen gathered in the Aberdeen hotel in 1917 to discuss the merger disaster that was occurring nearby in Minneapolis. They were not giving up, but they needed a way to go forward. The men elected Rev. Bjug Harstad, then a young 69, both temporary chairman and the first editor of a newspaper.
These faithful pastors and laymen needed to let many others know why they did not join the merger. Their voices had been muzzled in the synod conventions, so their only hope was through the press. Obtaining money and a printer were their primary concerns.
Another issue that faced them was the publication’s name. This small group still considered themselves the true representatives of the Old Norwegian Lutheran Synod. They wanted to retain the name of its publication: Luthersk Tidende (or Lutheran Times). However, those who owned the copyright would not agree. So they placed a photo of a church between the two words and were able to use that name for many years.
The first issue of the Luthersk Tidende was published on July 16, 1917. Rev. Bjug Harstad was listed as the editor and he wrote the first article, titled “Why can the Minority not go along with the new church body?” In the article, he lists five reasons, the most important reason being the false teaching about election. Since B. Harstad served a church in Tacoma, Washington, it is likely that Pastor C.N. Petersen did much of the busy work. Subscriptions were $1.00 per year.
By issue number five, the Tidende was given a motto, which has been on the front page for over 100 years. That motto is “Der staar skrevet” in Norwegian, which is in English: “It is written.”
During the second year of publication, beginning on 15 July 1918, the editor was C.N. Petersen and the name was changed to Evangelisk Luthersk Tidende or Evangelical Lutheran Times with the church drawing still in the title. By September of that year, it was stated that the magazine was “published every Tuesday.” So from 1918 to 1919, there were 46 issues of the Evangelisk Luthersk Tidende. The September 17, 1918 issue announced the dedication of Fairview Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, MN.
By 1919, the young synod became more organized. The synod convention elected a new Editorial Board consisting of George A. Gullixson, John A. Moldstad, and Herman A. Preus, all pastors of churches in Chicago, Illinois. At this convention, it was resolved “that the “Evangelisk Luthersk Tidende” be doubled in size and that it be published alternately in English and Norwegian.” The new editor restated the purpose of the Tidende/Sentinel: “The purpose of publishing this paper is, to assist in keeping the altar fire of God’s holy truth burning steadily and brightly in the hearts of his children who read it, and in the churches to which it may be a help in these trying times.”
Over the next 12 years, various men had the role of editor of either the Tidende, the Sentinel, or both. Then in 1930, Rev. Jacob E. Thoen became editor of both publications until he retired in 1938. This meant publishing one sixteen-page issue every week. This was also the time of the Depression. In 1932, the Sentinel was reduced to 12 pages because of the lack of receipts. The subscription price was $1.00 for each magazine or $1.50 for both. On September 13, 1933, editor Thoen added a feature called “Our Youth’s Companion.” Future Sentinel editor Rev. Erling Ylvisaker wrote this column for many years.
The 1935 synod convention resolved that the financial information of the synod be printed in the Sentinel, a practice that continued for many years. In addition, there appeared a list of those who contributed to the synod work. The convention also asked that congregations take over collecting funds for subscriptions.
The Rev. Adolph Harstad, Sr., took over as editor in 1938 until 1948. These were the war years. The first cover in color was on a special “Service Men’s Issue” for June 27, 1942. The synod’s Army and Navy Commission saw to sending Sentinels to synod people in the armed forces. The June 27, 1945, issue listed the servicemen who lost their lives during World War II.
In 1948, Business Manager Erling Petersen reported that the Sentinel had a deficit of $1,205.00. The cost of printing 24 issues a year was $2,700. There were 2,700 subscribers for the Sentinel and 500 for the Tidende.
The year 1950 brought a change of editors from Rev. Ahlert Strand to Rev. Erling Ylvisaker of Madison, Wisconsin. The new editor stated as his goal for the Sentinel to “Teach the Word of God to our people,” and he wanted to add more news of synod work in the Sentinel. To that end, he began a section titled “Both Old and New” with news and information on synod and congregational activities.
Because of declining readership in 1950, the Luthersk Tidende was published once a month. Rev. George O.  Lillegard served as editor. The last issue published was dated December 15, 1953, completing a run of 36 years.
A major change of editors was necessary due to the sudden heart attack of Erling Ylvisaker in 1954. Rev. Morris Dale was asked to take over for a while, but his health was not good, either. From 1955 to 1958, Rev. Martin Galstad, pastor of Mt. Olive, Mankato, MN, served as editor. Then Paul Ylvisaker took over the work from 1958 to 1966. These were tumultuous years when the synod was discussing membership in the Synodical Conference with pastors and congregations leaving the synod over the issue.
In 1966, Rev. Julian Anderson, then professor at Bethany Lutheran College, was elected as editor. Because of his teaching load, he asked to be excused, so Rev. Victor Theiste was given the work from 1968 to 1972. When ill health caused him to retire, Rev. Nelak Tjernagel became editor until 1976.
Prof. Erling Teigen, 1972 to 1983, next worked on the Sentinel. The January 1982 issue represented major changes to the magazine. The size was increased to 8 ½ by 11 inches and it was published once a month. On the cover, there was a new drawing of an open Bible with the words “It is written” printed on one of the pages.
Rev. Paul Madson continued this format as editor from 1983 to 1995. During this time, the synod was adding new congregations and new home and foreign missions. There was plenty of news to cover.
Up to this time, the Sentinel was a “hands-on” process—typing, cutting and paste, mailing, reading proof, etc. In 1996, Rev. Theodore Gullixson, a pastor in Escondido, California, started working with a computer and sending articles via the internet. In order to pay for full-color issues, the July issue was dropped in 2007. Another cost-saving change came in 2012 when the Sentinel began to be printed every other month. Since 2014, Rev. Paul Fries and Rev. Kyle Madson have worked together on the Lutheran Sentinel.
The Lutheran Sentinel is the official publication of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod. During the past 100 years, this magazine has encouraged and instructed its readers about Biblical truth and informed the members about synod people and work. Under the theme “It is written,” the Lutheran Sentinel will continue to proclaim the message of Christ and Him crucified to members and to the world—in print and via the internet.
Rev. Theodore G. Gullixson
Contributing Editor
Pastor Emeritus