By Joe Isenhower Jr.  Although statistics that Synod congregations reported for the end of 2003 show a rise in contributions and “weekday religion-class” attendance, “the real story is that membership is still declining,” according Dr. John O’Hara, research analyst for…

The possibility of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod once again being a full participant in the Lutheran-Roman Catholic dialogue was raised Oct. 14 at a meeting in Chicago of the Committee on Lutheran Cooperation (CLC). The CLC has six members from each…

Guidelines should be available by the end of January for implementing in congregations a Synod convention action that permits women to hold any congregational office that does not involve the exercise of distinctive functions of the pastoral office. Dr. Samuel H.…

Rev. Paul A. Hartman of Moore, Okla., is now president of the LCMS Oklahoma District, to complete the unexpired term of Dr. William Diekelmann, the Synod’s new first vice president. Hartman, first vice president of the district since 1991, was installed…

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 For Such a Time as This, three volumes,…

The Board for Mission Services (BFMS) seeks nominations for associate director for ministry to the Armed Forces (MAF).  The associate director for MAF reports to the director of the Ministry to the Armed Forces Committee. The associate director for ministry to…

The College of Education at Concordia University, Seward, Neb., is scheduled for a Spring 2005 accreditation review by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).  Federal regulations require that accrediting agencies allow for public comment on the qualifications…

A half-million-dollar grant from the founder of eBay to Lutheran World Relief, Baltimore, is being used to provide safe drinking water, sanitation and shelter to people displaced by the 18-month conflict in the Darfur region of western Sudan. eBay founder Pierre…

MICHAEL A. CROON SR., Niles, Ill.; WALTER D. KREGER, Bellaire, Mich.; and WILLIAM SINGLETON, Whiting, N.J., have applied for reinstatement to the Minister of Religion-Ordained roster of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.  DINA MATASOVSKY, Belleville, Mich.; JANICE RUSNAK, Bridgeton, Mo.; SUZANNE…

By David L. Mahsman “It is time for The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod to turn the world upside down for Jesus,” Synod President Gerald Kieschnick told Synod leaders — board and commission members and executive staff — shortly after many of them…

School and health kits prepared by U.S. Lutherans for children in Iraq have been so well received that the deadline for the Lutheran Hour Ministries project, “Iraqi Children — Precious in His Sight,” has been extended. Nearly 2,500 boxes of school…

By Paula Schlueter Ross A total of 38 new missionary families are beginning work with LCMS World Mission in 15 countries this fall.  Almost all of them — 35 — are long-term volunteers who are providing their own financial support, in…

Chaplain Matthew A. Boarts, an Illinois native who’s been in the service only five years, has been named by the Air Force as its top chaplain at the junior-officer level.  Boarts is the first — and only — recipient of…

Voncile D. Stone, vice president of operations for the Synod’s Worker Benefit Plans, has earned the professional designation of Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) and Compensation Management Specialist (CMS). The CEBS is “one of the most respected professional credentials and is…

My First Catechism: An Illustrated Version of Luther’s Small Catechism for Children, is now available from Concordia Publishing House. The 128-page hardcover book addresses the Ten Commandments, The Apostles’ Creed, The Lord’s Prayer, Baptism, confession, books of the Bible, the church…

Former LCMS World Mission executive Dr. Allan Buckman will begin serving Nov. 1 as executive director of the Lutheran Society for Missiology. The part-time position is the first for the 10-year-old mission society, which, in the past, has operated entirely with…