“Christian participation in public debate requires the use of language, argumentation, and strategies that — according to Scripture itself — are most appropriate and effective for interaction in the public realm, where God’s Word is not regarded as authoritative.”  The…

A two-hour primetime television special, “In God’s Name,” featured interviews with a dozen religious leaders in “intimate settings,” such as their homes and places of worship.  The program aired Dec. 23 on CBS. Produced by French filmmakers Jules and Gedeon…

Representatives of Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) and The Lutheran Church–-Missouri Synod met at the LCMS International Center in St. Louis Nov. 1 to review the formal partnership agreement that has existed since 1988 between the two church bodies. At the conclusion…

Promotional resources are available from LCMS District and Congregational Services — School Ministry to help Lutheran Schools and their sponsoring congregations observe “National Lutheran Schools Week” 2008, set for March 2-8. The theme for that observance is “Securing Each Child’s…

Concordia Publishing House is offering its Big Books for children for $5 each through Dec. 18.  The 15-by-18-inch Big Books are regularly priced at $15 to $20 each. The oversized books can be used in the classroom, in church or…

District disaster-response coordinators will meet for first-time training Jan. 9-10 in St. Louis — a key step toward a comprehensive, collaborative concept to help LCMS congregations help communities when lives are turned upside down. “This concept enables local congregations to…

Delegates to the annual synod, or convention, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of England (ELCE) got a chance to examine copies of Lutheran Service Book, the latest hymnal of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, and passed a resolution officially adopting it…

Longtime Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod pastor, military chaplain, and social activist Dr. Samuel L. Hoard died of cancer Nov. 30 in Orlando, Fla.  He was 80. A funeral service was held Dec. 8 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Orlando. In a Dec. 4 editorial,…

The Synod’s National Offering that will be used to fund the training of Lutheran pastors in the United States and abroad has reached $593,771.26 and is now more than halfway toward its $1 million goal.  The total includes 6,176 separate…

LCMS World Mission is sponsoring April 22-May 5 an Ablaze! tour to Russia and the Baltics, where the collapse of European communism brought the Synod in touch — and in partnership — with fellow Lutherans who remained steadfast in their…

Laurence E. “Larry” Lumpe of St. Louis began serving Dec. 4 as executive director of Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM). Lumpe succeeds Greg E. Lewis, who resigned Dec. 1 after serving three years in the post.  LHM is a ministry of…

Participants in the U.S. Lutheran-Roman Catholic Dialogue started work on the writing process for a report on their latest round of discussions when they met Oct. 10-14 at St. Paul’s College, Washington, D.C. Dr. Samuel H. Nafzger, executive director of…

The audits and summary budgets of the Lutheran Church Extension Fund and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Foundation have been completed and are available upon written request.  Please direct your request to: Lutheran Church Extension FundSunset Corporate Center10733 Sunset Office DriveSt.…

The audits for the years ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 and the program budget summary for fiscal year 2007-08 of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod have been completed and are available upon written request. Requests for the audited financial statements…

LARRY OETTING, Seward, Neb., and ROBERT E. WILLIAMS, Saginaw, Mich., have applied for reinstatement to the Minister of Religion-Commissioned roster of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.  Correspondence regarding these applications should be directed to the undersigned for receipt no later than…

By Joe Isenhower Jr. DALLAS — Luther Goehring half-jokingly said he “felt real withdrawal” from not attending last year’s Lutheran Church Extension Fund Fall Leadership Conference in Orlando, after years of never missing one when serving two terms on the LCEF…