In a world where religion is both increasingly important to global affairs and increasingly taboo as a topic of conversation and debate, journalist Mollie Hemingway works to bridge the gap. The 36-year-old D.C. resident writes the news of faith and beliefs for the popular blog GetReligion.org. She also has written for Christianity Today, the Wall Street Journal and the Los Angeles Times, and received a Phillips Foundation fellowship through which she researched and wrote about the changing shape of religion in America’s public arena. She shared with The Washington Examiner thoughts on a career that centers around religion, and the religion that is central to her life. Do you consider yourself to be of a specific faith?

Yes, I’m a confessional Lutheran and a member of a Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod congregation. We’re known for emphasizing the sacraments, having Christendom’s best hymns and congregations that love to sing them, clear preaching of God’s Word, and not being as influenced by the changing tides of pop culture. I most appreciate that we are upfront about the fact that everyone is a sinner in need of forgiveness. While the culture may downplay sin, we know it’s real and that God’s grace and forgiveness is the only remedy. Through the sacraments we receive this forgiveness and a strengthening of our faith.