Fort Wayne sem offers summer courses in 16 cities

Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, is offering continuing-education courses in 16 cities between late May and early August. The two- to five-day courses are open to professional church workers, laypeople, and students.  Most are taught by professors from Concordia Theological Seminary;…

FCC renews KFUO licenses

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Jan. 24 renewed for full seven-year terms the broadcast licenses of Synod-owned radio stations KFUO-AM and KFUO-FM. Dennis Stortz, director of broadcast operations at KFUO, said that this is especially good news for those who remember…

New graduate program offers study in China

Concordia University in Irvine, Calif., is now offering a master of arts degree in international studies, in cooperation with China’s Shenzhen Education Bureau. Approved by Concordia’s board of regents in December, the new graduate program provides opportunities for Americans to experience…

Theology profs to discuss `Sin and Wrath of God`

Next month, LCMS theology professors will meet in Dallas to discuss the theme “Talking about Sin and the Wrath of God.” The convocation continues what was begun at the first convocation in 2003 when the professors focused on the first article…

165 `reconcilers` receive training

By Joe Isenhower Jr. A new cadre of synodical “reconcilers” is being trained this year in six-day class sessions at the Synod’s International Center in St. Louis. Four reconcilers from each of the 35 LCMS districts — nominated by circuit counselors and…

`Newsweek` lauds LWR for relief efforts

In a brief item headlined “Rating Tsunami Relief,” the Jan. 17 issue of Newsweek magazine lauds Lutheran World Relief (LWR), Baltimore, for its A+ grade as a charity. The magazine lists several U.S.-based relief agencies that have received grades, from A+…

LCMS leaders seek ways to advance vision

More than 50 LCMS leaders, including 10 parish pastors and five school principals, met in St. Louis Jan. 20-22 to explore ways to advance the vision for the Synod summarized in the words “One Mission, One Message, One People.” Synod President…

Online giving sees `dramatic` increase

Response to the South Asia tsunami disaster and a new system for receiving gifts on the Synod’s Web site have led to a dramatic increase in online giving to LCMS ministries, says the manager of online giving for the LCMS…

Board sends mailing on Amendment A

In a December mailing to LCMS congregations, the Synod’s Board of Directors said that now “is probably not the time for congregations of the Synod to affirm a change to the Constitution of the Synod.” The mailing spoke to “Constitutional Amendment…

Growth of Kyrgyz Lutheran church exceeds expectations

“God has exceeded our small expectations,” says LCMS missionary Sue Pfeil in Kyrgyzstan, who reports that more than 650 men, women, and children were involved in Lutheran worship services, Sunday schools, Bible studies, confirmation classes, and cell groups by the…

Lutherans join 100,000 in `March for Life`

Despite a weekend storm that dumped up to two feet of snow over much of the East Coast and Midwest, an estimated 100,000 people — including a delegation from Lutherans For Life (LFL) — took part in this year’s “March…

LWR urges Lutherans to voice support on tsunami issues

Lutheran World Relief (LWR), Baltimore, is urging Lutherans nationwide to contact their senators and President Bush to voice their support of two tsunami-related issues: Extending the charitable-deductions deadline for 2004 — The tsunamis struck on Dec. 26, giving donors just…

Kieschnick asks for donations, prayers for tsunami victims

LCMS President Gerald Kieschnick is urging Missouri Synod Lutherans to consider opportunities for donating toward disaster relief in the wake of the Dec. 26 earthquake and tsunami in South Asia, and to pray for “those so deeply devastated by this…