New devotional written just for teachers

Splashes of Grace — Devotions for Teachers is a new devotional from Concordia Publishing House that’s written just for teachers.  It’s designed to immerse them in God’s promises and grace, where they can find true refreshment and restoration. The beginning of…

New pastor program opens with some 50 students

By Paula Schlueter Ross Mark Couser, 26, has been working with the Lutheran Inner-City Network Coalition (LINC) North Texas, in Dallas-Fort Worth, for the past five years, helping to train church planters and other leaders. He’s “felt the call to…

Gustav damages LCMS churches, member homes in Louisiana

Although its punch was less than feared, Hurricane Gustav nevertheless downed countless trees and branches, damaged thousands of homes, and cut ogustav-keim-house.gifff electricity to 1.4 million households in Louisiana after hitting the coast Sept. 1. Particularly hard hit was Baton…

Erkkinen succeeds Wuerffel in Armed Forces post

Chaplain Eric Erkkinen of Fort Knox, Ky., began work Sept. 1 as associate director of the Synod’s Ministry to the Armed Forces. Erkkinen, 56, succeeds Chaplain Theodore Wuerffel, who served in the post for a little more than three years. …

Church Info Center posts new 'FAQs'

The Synod’s Church Information Center has posted seven new items to its online “FAQs” (Frequently Asked Questions), bringing to more than 400 the number of questions answered on the Web site. The newest FAQs are: What does the LCMS mean…

CPH opens satellite store at Ann Arbor

A new bookstore operated by Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, was dedicated Sept. 4 at Concordia University, Ann Arbor, Mich. It is the fourth CPH-run campus bookstore.  Others are located at Concordia University Chicago and at the Synod’s two seminaries…

Seminaries offer Greek classes online

For the first time, both LCMS seminaries are offering their Greek courses online, beginning this fall. Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is offering its Greek course “live” on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Central Time.  Classes began Sept. 20.…

October is 'Clergy Appreciation Month'

October is national “Clergy Appreciation Month” and Oct. 12 is suggested as “Clergy Appreciation Sunday.” “This provides a wonderful opportunity for congregations and members to commit to pray for and encourage their pastor,” says Rev. David Muench, executive director of the…

Family Shield offers witnessing seminar, book

Family Shield Ministries is sponsoring a seminar Nov. 13 at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, to introduce Witnessing — A Lifestyle, a new book designed to encourage, motivate, and equip Christians to use everyday situations to share the Gospel with family members,…

CPH is focus of TV documentary

St. Louis-area viewers can tune in to their local NBC affiliate station — KSDK, NewsChannel 5 — at 8 p.m. Sept. 11 to watch a new half-hour documentary about Concordia Publishing House. The program, “Concordia Publishing — It’s Your House,” paints a picture…

CPS offers $75 reward for taking 'assessment'

Concordia Plan Services (CPS) is rewarding Concordia Health Plan (CHP) members who complete the online CareAllies Health Assessment between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31 with a $75 “Be Well … Serve Well” Rewards Visa Debit Card. This new incentive is…

Seminaries offer Greek classes online

For the first time, both LCMS seminaries are offering their Greek courses online. Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is offering its Greek course “live” on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Central Time, beginning Sept. 20. “Based on the success…

Erkkinen succeeds Wuerffel in Armed Forces post

Chaplain Eric Erkkinen of Fort Knox, Ky., began work Sept. 1 as associate director of the Synod’s Ministry to the Armed Forces. Erkkinen, 56, succeeds Chaplain Theodore Wuerffel, who has served in the post for a little more than three…

Gustav damages LCMS churches, member homes in Louisiana

Although its punch was less than feared, Hurricane Gustav nevertheless downed countless trees and branches, damaged thousands of homes, and cut off electricity to 1.4 million households in Louisiana after hitting the coast Sept. 1. Particularly hard hit was Baton…

Former DP, Dr. O.H. Cloeter, dies

Dr. O.H. Cloeter, who served as president of the Synod’s Minnesota South District for 13 years, died Aug. 30 in Minneapolis.  He was 88. A funeral service was held Sept. 3 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Faribault, Minn. Dr. Cloeter served as…

Directors approve revised budget

By Roland Lovstad A revised 2008-09 budget, purchase of management software, and approval for a library addition at the Fort Wayne seminary were among actions by the LCMS Board of Directors at its meeting Aug. 21-22 in St. Louis.  The…