Bush asks Mequon grads to help build 'more compassionate society'

President George W. Bush offered what he called “a few thoughts about how you can make your mark in the world” when he delivered the May 14 commencement address at Concordia University Wisconsin, at Mequon. The commencement assembly first watched…

`Lutheran Witness` wins EPA awards

Two Lutheran Witness stories were recognized by the Evangelical Press Association (EPA) during its convention, May 2-5 in Minneapolis.  The EPA’s “Higher Goals” awards were for work done in 2003. The first-place award in the “Reporting” category went to “Bethlehem 2,000…

Mission Planters Institute set for July

Registration is now open for the next Mission Planters Institute, to be held July 25-30 at Concordia University, Irvine, Calif.  The institute is sponsored twice a year — in February and July — by the Irvine-based Center for U.S. Missions…

Task force chairman sees potential for change in Synod

By Paula Schlueter Ross Is the “Great Commission,” or reaching the lost for Christ, the “primary focus” of today’s Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod? Two-thirds of respondents to an online survey posing that question said no. When asked in a follow-up question what the…

Friedrich accepts call to Seward presidency

Rev. Brian Friedrich has accepted the call to be the 10th president of Concordia University Nebraska, at Seward, beginning in July.  He will succeed Dr. Orville Walz, who is retiring after 14 years as president. Friedrich, 46, is currently vice…

Bronxville math team finishes in top 11 percent in contest

A three-student team from Concordia College, Bronxville, N.Y., finished in the top 11 percent among 599 teams participating in the 2004 Mathematical Contest in Modeling. The international competition is sponsored by the National Security Agency and the National Science Foundation.…

Sam Goltermann dies; past president of Concordia, Austin

Dr. Samuel I. Goltermann, president of Concordia College (now University), Austin, Texas, from 1960 to 1963, and a former Synod staff member, died of an apparent heart attack April 24 at his home in St. Louis.   The funeral service was April …

May 2004

The Spirit and conventions Recently, you published a letter in which a pastor lamented the use of various election lists at the Synod convention (“Letters,” April ’04).  He asked why we cannot simply trust the Holy Spirit to guide us.  He…

May Pressure Points with Dr. Bruce Hartung

I have had several inquiries in recent months about pastors and counseling.  The following question is a composite of several of those. Q: How much counseling should a pastor do, and for how long?  When should he refer?  How does he…

New Web page provides digest of `Reporter` news

Beginning this month, a new Web page will feature a downloadable digest of the news from the current edition of Reporter. The free digest, which is scheduled to be posted no later than the 12th day of each month, also will…

Official Notice: LCMS Convention Floor Committees

Abbreviation KeyC –  Chairman; DP – District President; VOM – Voting Ordained Minister; VL –  Voting Layperson; AOM – Advisory Ordained Minister; ACM – Advisory Commissioned Minister; AL – Advisory Layperson. DISTRICT ABBREVIATIONS:AT – Atlantic; CI – Central Illinois; CNH – California- Nevada-Hawaii; EA – Eastern; EN…

Items wanted and available

Note: Reporter cannot accept notices about items offered for sale or that people wish to purchase.  Items described as “Wanted” or “Available” are sought or may be obtained for shipping costs only. Wanted Photographs and/or descendant names of Rev. C.H. Bernhard,…

May Positions

The Board of Governors of the International Lutheran Laymen’s League invites applications and nominations for the position of executive director, based at its Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) headquarters in St. Louis, Mo.  The executive director provides leadership to accomplish the…

Kieschnick, Preus receive most nominations

The incumbent Synod president and first vice president have received the most nominations from LCMS congregations for election at this summer’s Synod convention to their respective current positions. Synod President Gerald Kieschnick received 1,244 nominations for re-election to his office, and…

`Convention Workbook` mailed to delegates, church workers

The Convention Workbook 2004 and three supplemental books, all with the theme of “One Mission Ablaze,” were mailed the last week of April to convention delegates and to all rostered church workers in the Synod. Synod Secretary Raymond Hartwig said that…

`Lutheran Witness,` `Reporter` receive awards

Reporter and The Lutheran Witness, the Synod’s magazine, each won a first-place award and Reporter an “Honorable Mention” in this year’s Associated Church Press (ACP) competition for work done in 2003. The awards were presented April 20 in Toronto.  ACP is…