Ten years ago, helping pastors, teachers, and their spouses learn biblically based strategies to cope with ministry challenges and strengthen physical, emotional, and spiritual health was the focus of Grace Place Lutheran Retreats. Today, the LCMS Recognized Service Organization continues…

No one was injured, but two LCMS churches suffered major fire damages in the weeks before Easter. Investigators say the early-morning fire April 4 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Yankton, S.D., was set deliberately, but church officials have no…

Dr. Thomas R. Zehnder, who has been serving as interim executive director of the Synod’s Board for Mission Services since November, has accepted a call from the board to continue his service as executive director. The action of the board,…

Ralston H. Deffenbaugh Jr., president of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) since 1991, will resign from his post Sept. 1.  According to an LIRS news release, Deffenbaugh, 57, said the “organization needs new gifts of leadership.” “As LIRS president…

The 2009 Summer Catalog of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is available on the seminary’s Web site and may be downloaded for viewing and printing in PDF format. The 19-page catalog contains descriptions of all courses being offered on the campus…

God’s Light in Gotham’s Darkness is a new, downloadable Bible study from Concordia Publishing House that’s based on the popular Batman film, “The Dark Knight.”® The six-session study connects and contrasts main themes from the movie with Scripture and Lutheran…

The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League has exceeded its 2007-09 mission goal of $1.7 million by $75,730.17, according to President Janice Wendorf. “In the midst of these uncertain times, God’s people have responded and supported the mission goal of the LWML…

Wheat Ridge Ministries of Itasca, Ill., is awarding grants totaling $46,000 to support sabbatical experiences for professional church workers from nine congregations, including four from The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. According to Wheat Ridge, “sabbatical leave for rest and renewal is…

Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, is hosting two training conferences for parish nurses, congregational health workers, pastors, and others interested in congregational health. The 17th annual “Concordia Conference for Parish Nurse and Congregational Health Ministries” will be held May 28-29 under…

Under the theme “Celebrating the Abundant Life” (John 10:10), Lutherans For Life (LFL) will hold its 2009 national conference July 24-25 at the DoubleTree Westport Hotel, St. Louis. Registration is open now, by mail or online at its Web site,…

Registration is open to young adults (post-high-school age through their 30s) for a May 31-June 5 Servant Event to help Gulf Coast residents recover from storms that have devastated their property, beginning with Hurricane Katrina in late August of 2005.…

May is designated “Pastoral Education Month,” when congregations can emphasize the pastoral ministry in a variety of ways — from recruiting seminary students, to retaining current pastors, or encouraging continuing education. In an e-mail “blast” to congregations and ordained and commissioned…

Concordia Plan Services (CPS) has announced it will offer healthcare coverage to students (and their families) at the Synod’s two seminaries — Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind. According to a CPS press release, the plan,…

February’s Reporter included an article about the Jan. 1 death of Rev. Andrew Mbugo Elisa, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sudan.  Rev. Elisa died as the result of an aggressive brain-stem tumor. Survivors include his wife, Linda, and…

Faced with a $4 million operating deficit and a decrease in income next fiscal year, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is offering early retirement incentives, delaying some maintenance, freezing salaries, and tightening program budgets. “I am not happy with this unexpected…

The Concordia Theological Seminary Kantorei, Fort Wayne, Ind., will begin its 2009 Easter tour on April 15, with performances scheduled for eight congregations in Illinois and Indiana through April 26. The Kantorei, a 16-voice choir of students studying to become…