Concordia University in River Forest, Ill., is reporting a brighter financial picture as it nears the end of this fiscal year.  For the second year in succession, administrators will close their books with an operating surplus on June 30, following…

“The Congregation’s Ministry and Mission: Who’s in Charge Here?” will be the theme as representatives of the 35 LCMS districts gather for a second Model Theological Conference Aug. 23-25 at the Marriott Camelback Inn, Phoenix.  Districts have been invited to…

By Joe Isenhower Jr. NEW ORLEANS — Although the 2005-06 operating budget adopted by the LCMS Board of Directors pares $750,000 from the proposed budget for the fiscal year starting July 1, the final budget does not cut national ministries…

The Synod’s first-ever prison-ministry conference, April 30-May 1 in St. Louis, attracted 107 participants — 37 more than organizers hoped for — “from literally all over the country,” according to Rev. John Fale. Director of chaplaincy, pastoral counseling, and clinical…

Wheat Ridge Ministries of Itasca, Ill., announced in late April that it is providing seed grants totaling $357,000 to 12 new projects — four with ties to LCMS congregations. The other eight projects are either pan-Lutheran or affiliated with church bodies other…

Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) is calling for those with skills and needed equipment to help clear wood debris that remains in coastal Alabama counties as a result of hurricanes which hit the area last year. LDR is a cooperative program of…

By Joe Isenhower Jr. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The low numbers got them here April 29-30 — leaders of 18 Synod congregations who said that factors such as effective Word and Sacrament ministry, active lay involvement, and community outreach helped their…

The Servant Events Web page of LCMS District and Congregational Services — Youth Ministry has a new look and a number of enhanced features. New features include the 2005 Servant Events Bible study, complete details for those attending this year’s events, and…

Lutherans For Life’s (LFL) national 2005 conference is set for Nov. 11-13 at the Sheraton Westport Lakeside Chalet in St. Louis.  Its theme is “In Life, in Death, Abide With Me.” Also, a Nov. 11 “bonus” bioethics conference at the same…

The Synod’s Sanctity of Human Life Committee issued a statement April 22 with the suggestion that Christians make use of the “Health Care Durable Power of Attorney” as an alternative to “living wills.” The eight-person committee’s statement also recommends a number…

By Paula Schlueter Ross IRVING, Texas — Dr. Elwin Johnson Rethinasamy of Williston Park, N.Y., leaned across a table during the last of eight “One Mission Ablaze — Igniting Congregations” events, held here May 13-14. Rethinasamy, who serves South Asians, mostly…

Dr. Phillip A. Campbell, who has been serving as interim executive director of the Synod’s Board for Black Ministry Services for nearly three years, has accepted a call to serve in that post permanently.  He announced his decision May 16. Campbell…

Chaplain Ted Wuerffel of Shoreline, Wash., has accepted a call from the Synod’s Board for Mission Services to serve as associate director of Ministry to the Armed Forces, beginning July 1. Wuerffel, 61, currently serves as campus pastor for Agape…

Recordings of presentations from the LCMS mission conference “New Directions in Mission Leadership ’05” are now available on compact disk. More than 100 people attended the New Directions conference, held April 28-May 1 in St. Louis under the theme “Responding…

All LCMS congregations should have received in recent weeks promotional materials from the Synod’s two seminaries in St. Louis and Fort Wayne. Each seminary has produced its own undated materials to give congregations an opportunity to emphasize the pastoral ministry…

Concordia University, Portland, Ore., will celebrate its 100th anniversary during a “Centennial Celebration Weekend” June 23-26. Anniversary activities include: a “Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance,” with Dr. Erhart Bauer. “21st Century Christianity,” an open forum and discussion with Synod President Gerald…