“Stewardship Renaissance” — a term used by the Blue Ribbon Task Force for Funding the Mission — is starting well before the task force’s report reaches the 2007 LCMS Convention. Among the developments is that the LCMS Board for District…

LCMS World Relief/Human Care gave initial emergency disaster-relief grants totaling $17,000 to three congregations whose members were affected by an F-4 tornado Sept. 22 that almost leveled the small down of Crosstown in Perry County, Mo., about 80 miles southeast…

Rev. John P. Reinke of Janesville, Wis., began serving this fall as director of the Deaf Institute of Theology (DIT) at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.  He succeeds Rev. Roger Altenberger, who is LCMS World Mission’s facilitator for “Ablaze! Connection.” Reinke,…

Concordia Plan Services (CPS) says it will introduce several new health and wellness programs as part of the Concordia Health Plan (CHP), starting March 1. Free to all CHP members, those programs will consist of Health Risk Assessment (HRA), Health Advisors…

International Lutheran Single Adults (ILSA) will hold its 20th anniversary annual conference July 5-8 at the Radisson Inn in Branson, Mo.  The conference, with the theme of “Rejoice and Sing,” is open to any single adult or to anyone who…

By Joe Isenhower Jr. Stepped-up outreach efforts, new hymnals, and task forces on funding -– programs and priorities of the two largest U.S. Lutheran church bodies -– were similar topics that leaders of those churches discussed when they met Oct. 3…

Rev. John P. Reinke of Janesville, Wis., began serving this fall as director of the Deaf Institute of Theology (DIT) at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.  He succeeds Rev. Roger Altenberger, who is LCMS World Mission’s facilitator for “Ablaze! Connection.” Reinke,…

By Paula Schlueter Ross If you’ve ever wanted to help others — especially those whose lives have been changed drastically by Hurricane Katrina — now is the time, says Rev. Glenn Merritt, disaster response director with LCMS World Relief/Human Care.…

The Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) is experiencing an unprecedented increase in building loan requests and, in order to meet those requests, is now offering a nine-month, fixed-rate term note at 6.136 percent APY (6 percent base rate).  APY is…

For a limited time, Concordia Publishing House is offering a free Bible study about embryonic stem cell research and why it is incompatible with the Bible and the Christian faith. “Changing Currents: Embryonic Stem Cell Research” was written by Robert…

The Kantorei of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, has released its sixth CD, “Infant Holy: Christmas with the Seminary Kantorei.” The selections chosen for the choir’s latest recording are sung by Kantorei members over a period of eight school years. …

As next year marks 30 years of planning for Synod-sponsored National Youth Gatherings, planners are announcing details about the first-ever LCMS Adult Gathering. The 2007 Adult Gathering, open to LCMS members who are at least 25 years old, will be…

Principals of two LCMS elementary schools received this year’s Rosa J. Young Leadership Award for “outstanding service in Black ministry.” The award is given annually by the Synod’s Board for Black Ministry Services to “individuals who, in spite of challenging…

Each year, Austin, Texas-based Lutheran Social Services of the South (LSSS) sponsors a Christmas-card design contest among the children it serves. This year’s winning card, designed by a resident at an LSSS children’s residential treatment center, features a colorful Christmas…

Television stations coast to coast will air animated holiday specials from Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) between Nov. 23 and Dec. 25. “Little Shepherd” and “Red Boots for Christmas” will air on stations with a potential of reaching more than 55…

The international mission organization Lutherans in Medical Missions (LIMM) this fall is funding two projects that rely on short-term volunteers: A LIMM grant of $10,000 will be used by Extra Mile Ministries to fund a new ministry to victims of…