By Kim Krull Raised in a German Lutheran home and church, Karolyn Martinez says the typical view of mercy was to send money to a mission fund.  But after gleaning two days’ worth of ideas and inspiration, her eyes opened…

Many LCMS members speak out and take action over concern for the health of today’s American family.  But the Synod also must continue to extend a hand of support overseas where the family faces even greater challenges, says LCMS Life…

What used to be known as the Synod’s “National Contract Program” is now its “Group Purchasing Agreement,” or “GPA.” “But it’s more than a name change,” says Mike Magee, purchasing manager at the LCMS International Center in St. Louis.  “We…

Volunteer vs. career missionary service A story in the April issue underscores the popularity of a short-term volunteer approach to overseas mission.  Bold monolingual English speakers witness to Christ through labored speech and good deeds.  Young and old have an…

Program and Finance Recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Task Force for Funding the Mission spawned five of the 15 resolutions drafted by Committee 4.  Given highest priority is Res. 4-01, which calls on the Council of Presi-dents and the Board…

Nine convention floor committees are proposing a total of 97 resolutions for delegates to consider at this summer’s triennial Synod convention, July 14-19 in Houston. Eight of those committees met in St. Louis the weekend starting May 18 to form…

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is offering a theological resource about the self-help book The Secret. The resource — an audio-video “podcast” — features Dr. David Lewis, assistant professor of exegetical theology, and is available for free download on the seminary’s…

Lutherans For Life (LFL) has produced a new bulletin insert especially for Father’s Day, June 17. “Faithful Fathers” highlights the life of Joseph, the importance of fathers in family life, and the faithfulness of our Heavenly Father in helping dads…

LCMS World Relief/Human Care is offering $100 scholarships to any LCMS rostered church worker who registers to attend “Christian Law Enforcement Chaplaincy — Theology and Practice,” a July 9-13 workshop co-sponsored by Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and Peace Officer Ministries. …

Dr. Gerald Krispin has accepted a call to become the seventh president of Concordia University College of Alberta, Edmonton, beginning July 1. Krispin, 51, succeeds President Richard Kraemer, who is retiring at the end of June after 17 years in…

LCMS pastor, professor, and speaker Dr. John Arthur Nunes will become the fourth president of Lutheran World Relief, Baltimore, on July 1.  LWR is a ministry of the LCMS, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, individuals, and parish groups in…

William G. “Bill” Wagner, a retired newspaper editor who served the church in communications and leadership roles, died May 7 in San Antonio, Texas, after a long illness.  He was 85. The funeral was May 11 at Concordia Lutheran Church, San…

Thirteen member families of Peace Lutheran Church, Greensburg, Kan., “lost everything — their homes, furniture, clothing, all their possessions” to the May 4 tornado that all but flattened the town of 1,500 and killed 10 residents, according to the congregation’s…

Key to abbreviations C = Chairman DP = District President VOM = Voting Ordained MinisterVL = Voting Layperson AOM = Advisory Ordained Minister ACM = Advisory Commissioned MinisterAL = Advisory Layperson DISTRICT ABBREVIATIONS: AT = Atlantic CI = Central Illinois…

The 2007 Convention Workbook will be mailed to this year’s Synod convention delegates and alternates, Synod board and commission members, and all rostered church workers by the first week of May. The Convention Workbook mailing also will include a second…