Among convention actions related to higher education, delegates approved two resolutions that allow the boards of regents of LCMS colleges, universities, and seminaries to appoint up to four additional voting members. Both resolutions allow boards to immediately add members with…

Following a recommendation from last year’s report of the Synod Blue Ribbon Task Force on Funding the Mission, delegates to the 2007 Synod convention adopted a resolution (4-02) titled “To Begin a Stewardship Renewal through Enhanced Communication.” The resolution requests…

Resolutions relating to a new classification of pastors and the existing licensed lay deacon program were approved by delegates during the final business session July 19. Res. 5-01B establishes a new seminary track for “preparing men as quickly as possible…

See the August issue of The Lutheran Witness magazine, which takes a more expansive look at the LCMS convention. More news also is available online, at the convention Web site. See the convention site for: each issue of Today’s Business,…

LCMS World Mission is asking all LCMS members to beware of an e-mail and Web-based scam concerning puppies that are available for shipping from Africa to the United States. The scam mentions LCMS Missionaries David Erber and Nathaniel Watt, who serve…

Rev. Alan Erdman, president and chief executive officer of Lutheran Family and Children’s Services of Missouri (LFCS), was named a recipient of a Common Chest award presented by LCMS World Relief and Human Care to partners for their outstanding and…

More than 50 deaconesses and students heard presentations and reports, and took part in business sessions, worship, Bible studies, and fellowship activities during this year’s annual conference of the Concordia Deaconess Conference (CDC), June 10-13 at Concordia University, Ann Arbor,…

The 2007 National LCMS Youth Gathering and LCMS Adult Gathering, July 28-Aug. 1 in Orlando, Fla., brought together some 25,000 youth and adult paid participants from all 35 LCMS districts and several nations, along with 1,500 volunteers, under the theme…

Delegates to the Synod’s 63rd Regular Convention said they “stand ready to serve” if President Gerald B. Kieschnick and two-thirds of the 35 district presidents decide that a special convention should be called to amend the Synod’s structure and governance.…

Sherry Engebretsen, director of marketing at Thrivent Financial for Lutherans in Minneapolis, is among 13 people killed in the Aug. 1 collapse of the city’s I-35W bridge. Engebretsen, 60, was driving from Thrivent’s downtown office to her home in Shoreview, Minn., when the…

Delegates to this year’s Synod convention completed elections for all positions July 18. The results are listed by board or commission: Board for Black Ministry Services Ordained minister: Samuel Cosby, Houston Commissioned minister: Jonathan D. Cleveland, Portland, Ore. Layperson: Ceretha…

Professional church workers who died during the past triennium were commemorated during a service of thanksgiving July 18 at the 63rd Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. Dr. Robert H. King, current LCMS fourth vice president, spoke on the…

Delegates to the 63rd Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod July 15 elected Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick to his third three-year term as president of the 2.5 million-member church body.  The convention also re-elected Dr. William Diekelman to his…

With a 96.6 percent “yes” vote, delegates to the 2007 Synod convention adopted a resolution (6-02) supporting adult stem-cell research that does not involve destruction of human life. Nothing that stem cells have the potential of helping treat diseases such…

Delegates to the 2007 Synod convention adopted separate resolutions that aim to resolve conflicts between the Synod Board of Directors and the Commission on Constitutional Matters (CCM), and that affirm the Synod’s dispute-resolution process. To resolve conflicts between the Board…