In Nairobi, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya (ELCK) has dedicated and opened Luther Plaza, a multi-purpose building that serves as its headquarters as well as generating rental income. Dedicated Feb. 27, Luther Plaza was financed by a loan through…

By Joe Isenhower Jr. A first-time three-day conference in mid-February for worship leaders from the Synod’s colleges, universities, and seminaries to “openly discuss divergent worship practices” on their campuses was “a practical unveiling about the extreme diversity in music repertoire,…

LCMS World Mission is offering a number of resources to help congregations celebrate “Armed Forces Sunday” on May 17, or an alternate date such as Memorial Day, Independence Day, or Veterans Day. The special observance, held annually the Sunday before…

Beginning this fall, eligible veterans of the U.S. armed forces receiving full Chapter 33 benefits can earn a graduate or undergraduate degree tuition-free from at least five of the Synod’s 10 Concordia University System (CUS) schools nationwide.  Housing and other…

As part of its mission “to care for all,” Concordia Theological Seminary (CTS), Fort Wayne, is constructing this spring an expansive, Bible-themed playground.  It is now seeking volunteers to help with the weeklong project. The “CTS Playscape,” which has been…

Dr. Uwe Siemon-Netto, director of The Center for Lutheran Theology and Public Life and scholar-in-residence at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, received the 2009 Friedrich Hecker Freedom Award from the German American Heritage Society of Saint Louis at the organization’s 19th…

Dr. Steve Christopher of Livermore, Calif., began serving Feb. 1 as associate director of LCMS District and Congregational Services — Children’s and Family Ministry. In that deployed position — formerly held by Lori Aadsen of Bourne, Texas — he serves as a…

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and Peace Officer Ministries will host “Christian Law Enforcement Chaplaincy — Theology and Practice” May 26-29 on the seminary campus. The workshop will offer accredited training for chaplains, peace officers, and pastors, focusing on “effective Christian…

“Share His Story,” from Psalm 66:16, is the theme of the 92nd Annual International Convention of the International Lutheran Laymen’s League, to be held July 16-19 in Greensboro, N.C. This year’s convention will offer motivational speakers, including Rev. Ken Klaus,…

By Roland Lovstad Like a smoke alarm or a fire extinguisher, the LCMS dispute-resolution process is a tool the church prefers not to use, but proves valuable when the need arises. Recently trained as a “reconciler” for the process, Caitlin…

Concordia Publishing House has received certification as a “Center of Excellence” by Benchmark Portal and the Purdue University Center for Customer-Driven Quality. The award recognizes the CPH Customer Call Center as ranking in the top 10 percent of 20,000 nationwide…

By Linda C. Hoops Jesus Is Lord Mission (JILM), an independent mission society whose membership is composed mostly of retired church workers, reached the $1 million mark in donations at the end of 2008. “It took longer than we thought…

The LCMS Northwest District will host a “compact” one-day conference on Church Planting and Gospel Outreach Through Child Development Ministry May 16 at the Clarion Hotel Airport in Portland, Ore. The conference is sponsored by the Open Arms Institute, an…

A number of resources are available from Concordia Publishing House and Lutherans For Life to help Lutherans understand stem cell research, cloning, and other life issues, and how they relate to God’s Word and the sanctity of life. Concordia Publishing…

“Leadership in Paul” is the theme of the fourth annual Lecture in Hispanic/Latino Theology and Missions, to be held at 7 p.m. March 31 at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Addressing the theme will be Dr. Efrain Agosto, dean and professor…

The birth of octuplets to a Southern California mother who already had six children also conceived by in-vitro fertilization spotlights a “slippery slope ” to be explored at a March 26 forum on science and theology at Concordia Seminary, St.…