By Joe Isenhower Jr. Rev. Carlos Hernandez, director of Districts and Congregations with LCMS World Relief/Human Care, says he often first learns about “the steady stream of disasters that have been occurring in recent months” from TV news coverage while at…

Military chaplaincies received attention from leaders of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), meeting as the Committee on Lutheran Cooperation (CLC) on April 6 at the ELCA offices in Chicago. Reporting on behalf of both…

LCMS President Gerald B. Kieschnick is among 43 U.S. religious leaders who have signed an open letter calling for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Declaring support for the…

Dr. Alfred L. Fremder, professor emeritus at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, died April 19.  He was 86. A funeral service was held April 25 at Tree of Life Lutheran Church in Garland, Texas. Fremder served as professor emeritus at the seminary from…

By Paula Schlueter Ross Dr. Robert Roegner, executive director of LCMS World Mission, still remembers how bad he felt in December 2002, when 28 overseas missionary “unit,” or family, positions were eliminated because of dwindling funds. Roegner called the missionaries individually to…

What’s a “synod”?  Are Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod congregations only in the state of Missouri?  What do Missouri Synod Lutherans believe? Those questions — and lots of others — are answered in “Some Things Never Change,” a new 12-minute DVD from…

The Synod’s two seminaries have produced promotional materials designed to help congregations hold a “Seminary Sunday” to call attention to pastoral education and seminary support. Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, last month mailed a packet of materials to all LCMS congregations…

A family who wishes to remain anonymous has offered a “challenge grant” of up to $200,000 to Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, to encourage gifts designated for student financial aid. The donor has pledged to give one dollar for every dollar…

Here’s a transcript of Astronaut Jeff Williams’ voice-mail message to his pastor, Rev. John Kieschnick: “Pastor K, this is Jeff Williams calling from the ISS [international space station].  I thought I might catch you Sunday morning on the way to church. “I…

By Paula Schlueter Ross Astronaut Jeff Williams had barely settled into his “home away from home” on the international space station when he gave his pastor a quick phone call. Launched via a Russian Soyuz rocket March 29, Williams and cosmonaut Pavel…

Sourcebook 2006: Your Guide to Architectural Stained and Art Glass is now available free on compact disk. The publication is produced annually by the Stained Glass Association of America for use by architects, congregations, liturgical consultants, and other professionals active…

The Synod’s two seminaries are offering a total of 29 workshops and courses this summer at off-campus locations nationwide. Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is sponsoring a dozen workshops for pastors, professional church workers, and interested lay people: “Journey with Jonah,”…

Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, is offering three workshops for church organists: “Level I,” to be held June 26-30, includes a daily one-hour session on the “theology of worship,” plus instruction on service playing, hymnody, the church year, music for…

By Kim Krull As weather-watchers warily brace for the official June 1 launch of this year’s hurricane season, LCMS World Relief/Human Care announced totals that reflect the devastation as well as the Christian care and concern sparked by last year’s…

The sixth annual “Outreach Leadership Institute” will be held July 13-15 at Concordia University, St. Paul, Minn.  Theme of the institute will be “Christian Outreach on the Move — North America Ablaze!“ The institute is sponsored jointly by the Oswald Hoffmann…

Some 85 people — most of them representing Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod boards and commissions — heard speakers and brainstormed ideas for coordinating and collaborating efforts around the church body’s “One Mission … One Message … One People” vision during the President’s…