'Transforming Network' helps churches look outward

By Roland Lovstad There is an unknown constituency in the midst of the Ablaze! goal to revitalize 2,000 congregations by 2017: they are the ones with no church home or those who don’t yet know Jesus as their Savior. “Even…

Program prepares congregations for disaster response

By Linda C. Hoops According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the United States in 2009 had 52 declared disasters — from landslides in the West, tornadoes through the Midwest, and severe flooding and snows along the Eastern seaboard. …

Delegates offer feedback at regional gatherings

By Paula Schlueter Ross Two of the nine regional gatherings planned for LCMS convention delegates already have taken place, and organizer-presenter Rev. Jon Braunersreuther says that, so far, the events are doing just what they’re supposed to do: explain the…

Florida church's cross doubles as cell phone tower

By Paula Schlueter Ross When T-Mobile approached Dr. Doug Fountain at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Lake Worth, Fla., to see if the pastor would be open to the installation of a cell phone tower on the church’s property — and…

Seminary to host evangelism conference

The second annual “Reaching Out Together” evangelism conference is scheduled for Feb. 13 at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. The event is sponsored by the Saturday Outreach School, St. Louis, in conjunction with the seminary, the Synod’s Missouri District, and LCMS…

Official Notice: Vice President-Finance/Treasurer of LCMS, Call for Nominations

The Board of Directors of the Synod herewith calls for nominations for the position of vice president-finance/treasurer of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod upon the announced retirement of Thomas Kuchta.  The Board of Directors serves as the nominations committee for this…

Positions (Jan. 2010)

The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod Foundation, St. Louis, seeks applicants for the position of senior vice president, Marketing/Communications Services.  This position is responsible for directing and managing the overall product creation, implementation, production, assignments and evaluation of all Direct Mail, Telecare,…

Requests for Reinstatement (Jan. 2010)

GARY WILLIAM PHELPS, Nashville, Tenn., has applied for reinstatement to the Ministers of Religion-Ordained roster of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.  TEDDY MAX BOETTCHER, Wichita, Kan.; DAVID PAUL BURGDORF, Palatine, Ill.; LA RUTH CASTENS, Wichita, Kan.; and HANNAH L. PETERSEN, Ringle,…

Items wanted, available (Jan. 2010)

Wanted Altar paraments and Advent candles.  “La Trinidad” Hispanic Mission for Trinity Lutheran Church, c/o Erika Hormachea, 1004 Conestoga Lane, Lexington, NE 68850; 308-325-5603; erikahorm@hotmail.com. Altar candles, liturgical linens, candles, and Advent wreath.  Brian Keller, President, Lutheran Outreach at Virginia…

Letters to the Editor (January 2010)

Hate crimes law Recent action by Congress and the President to expand federal “Hate Crimes” legislation capped months of controversy among church people. This new expansion will assist local officials in some cases to prosecute criminal physical attacks based on…

Official Notice: Notice of Nondiscrimination

The colleges, universities, and seminaries of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod admit students of any race, color, or national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the college, university,…

Pressure Points (Jan. 2010)

With Dr. Bruce Hartung Q: I am a retired pastor.  Some other retired pastors and I have been talking lately about the role a retired pastor takes in the congregation where he has current membership.  We came up with some…

Lutherans may still join 'March for Life'

Though all the seats are reserved for the “Road Trip for Life” bus ride from Indiana to the Jan. 22 “March for Life” in Washington, D.C., the offer still stands for those planning to join the Lutheran march delegation to…

Texas woman leaves $2.48 million to seminaries

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, are beneficiaries of a $2.48 million bequest from the estate of a Texas donor.  It is the largest bequest ever made to the seminaries by an individual. The “Andrew, Martha…

JLC, LCMS reps to continue talks on ordination of women

Representatives from the Japan Lutheran Church (JLC) and the LCMS will meet Feb. 3-4 in Tokyo for a third round of discussions on the ordination of women to the pastoral office. The JLC and LCMS representatives last met in September…

CPH challenge: share evangelism stories, win VBS kit

Concordia Publishing House is asking its customers to contribute examples of “God’s Word in action” in their congregations and communities through its “Bold Bee-liever Challenge.” “Perhaps your story shares the experience you had on a mission project or other response…