First convention Bible study: Pilgrims with Hope-Filled Hearts

ST. LOUIS — “Have we forgotten that we are exiles?” Dr. Jeffrey Gibbs asked in a Bible study today (July 11) during the 62nd Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, here July 10–15.   Addressing nearly 1,200 voting delegates…

Pre-convention activities focus on 'Ablaze!,' 'Pentecost 2000+'

ST. LOUIS — LCMS World Mission took advantage of the Synod’s 62nd Regular Convention to host several pre-convention events to mark the success of one bold initiative and the ambitious start of another. Hundreds of current and former missionaries, some…

Kieschnick’s report includes remarks on 9/11 controversy

ST. LOUIS — LCMS President Gerald Kieschnick told the Synod’s 62nd Regular Convention today (July 11) that if it disagrees with a 2001 convention resolution upon which he said he based approval for a district president’s decision to participate in…

Synod re-elects Kieschnick, elects Diekelman first vice president

ST. LOUIS — Delegates to the 62nd Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod today (July 11) elected Dr. Gerald Kieschnick to his second three-year term as president of the 2.5 million-member church body.   The convention also elected Oklahoma…

LCMS is about seeking and saving, Kieschnick tells opening worship

ST. LOUIS – Through a series of short stories, Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, president of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, called on members to seek those who are lost and “save them.”   Kieschnick, delivering the sermon at the July 11…

Kieschnick opens 62nd Regular Convention

ST. LOUIS — With three bangs of the gavel, LCMS President Gerald Kieschnick July 11 opened the 62nd Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, “in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”…

`Singing marathon` to mark Brazil church centennial

A 36-hour “singing marathon” will take place over the July 3-4 weekend on the campus of the Lutheran University of Brazil (known by its Portuguese acronym ULBRA) in Canoas. The marathon of uninterrupted singing will be performed by Lutheran singers…

Seminary symposium to address homosexuality and the church

Registration is open for Concordia Seminary, St. Louis’, 15th theological symposium, Sept. 21-22, with the theme, “The Challenge of Homosexuality — The Church Responds.” The seminary has sent a brochure with a registration form and information about the symposium to all pastors,…

International students share experiences at training event

By Paula Schlueter Ross Even though her grandmother was Christian, Ting, 29, never heard about Jesus in her homeland of China. “She never passed the Word of Jesus to me,” said Ting, whose parents are not Christian. It was only after she came…

LEA honors outstanding educators

Richard “Dick” Blatt of Chicago is the recipient of the Lutheran Education Association’s (LEA) Christus Magister (Christ the Master Teacher) Award for 2004. Blatt received the award from LEA Executive Director Jonathan Laabs during a June 13 worship service at St.…

LIRS head cites need for more refugee funding

The president of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) praised President Bush last month for his “commitment to refugee resettlement” but voiced concern about the level of funding for refugees in the administration’s 2005 budget. LIRS President Ralston H. Deffenbaugh Jr.’s…

Thrivent gives Synod $1.4 million grant

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is giving a $1,424,600 grant this year that will fund 18 projects of Synod boards, commissions and other national ministries. Amounts allocated from the grant range from $6,000 for meetings of Synod leaders who prioritized the…

Sem adds discussion board to lectionary Web resource

“Lectionary at Lunch,” a Web resource from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, that provides audio files to help pastors prepare sermons, offers a new discussion-group feature.  At www.csl.edu/lection.htm, pastors can hear seminary faculty members translating the Old Testament and Gospel lessons…

Pentecost 2000+ reaches 1,000-ministry goal

Pentecost 2000/Pentecost 2000+, LCMS World Mission’s initiative to encourage the start of 1,000 cross-cultural ministries in the United States, has met its goal. As of this writing, the P2K Web site at www.pentecost2000.com lists 1,008 new ministries, according to Director Marie Biesenthal. “What’s…

Palestinian pastor authors new book

Rev. Mitri Raheb, pastor of The Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem, has written a book about his experiences as a Palestinian pastor living and working in a war zone. In Bethlehem Besieged, Raheb begins his story with the Israeli siege…

India Lutherans elect new president

Delegates to the national convention of the India Evangelical Lutheran Church (IELC), meeting June 7 in Nagercoil, India, elected Rev. S. Rajagambeeram as president. The election marks a new beginning for the IELC, according to Dr. Herbert Hoefer, area director…