Concordia International School Shanghai (CISS) kicks off a new school year Aug. 15 with more than 1,000 students in preschool through Grade 12, two new buildings, and a new administrator. Dr. Jim Koerschen of Brighton, Mich., began serving in July…

Nearly 1,000 people attended the 90th annual international convention of the International Lutheran Laymen’s League, held July 26-29 in Duluth, Minn. The convention, with the theme “Let Your Light Shine” (Matt. 5:16), implored attendees to let their light shine as…

The Synod’s two seminaries are offering this fall free visitation events for men and women college age and older.  Both events — held on the seminaries’ campuses in St. Louis and Fort Wayne, Ind. — provide free meals, lodging, and…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is asking churches that operate feeding programs to check their stores of products intended for donation to ensure they do not include any of approximately 90 different canned foods that could cause botulism poisoning.…

The Association of Lutheran Older Adults (ALOA) is sponsoring a Lutherhostel Oct. 21-26 at the Lutheran Coastal Retreat Center in Isle of Palms (Charleston), S.C. Designed for older adults, the six-day event is intended to “foster opportunities for intellectual, social,…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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 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…

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…