Delegates address prison ministry, violence/child abuse

HOUSTON—In three separate resolutions, the Floor Committee on Human Care (Committee 6) of the 64th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, meeting this week at the George R. Brown Convention Center, addressed the issues of continuing prison/jail ministry, continuing…

Convention continues actions on structure

HOUSTON—Bylaw changes describing the role of circuits (local groupings of congregations) and methods for electing pastors to serve as circuit counselors were among actions adopted July 16 by delegates to the 64th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.  Also…

Dog tags ‘tell’ stories of three LCMS military chaplains

HOUSTON—Three LCMS chaplains shared with convention delegates first-hand accounts of their experiences serving as chaplains in the military, as “told” by their dog tags. The chaplains addressed some 1,200 voting and lay delegates to the 64th Regular Convention of The…

Delegates revise sem, university bylaws

HOUSTON—Delegates to the 64th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod here July 16 adopted two resolutions of the Floor Committee on Seminary and University Education (Floor Committee 5) that offer bylaw changes: Resolution 5-11, which relates to faculty promotion,…

LCMS convention updates articles of incorporation

HOUSTON—The convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has approved updated language for the church body’s Articles of Incorporation. During an afternoon session July 16, delegates adopted a resolution that includes revisions reflecting changes in structure and governance adopted earlier by…

Johann leads service of reconciliation

HOUSTON–Rev. Jotham Johann spoke for many convention attendees and delegates when, during the July 16 Service of Reconciliation, he acknowledged that “it has been a blessed week but a long week.”  Echoing the convention’s forgiveness focus, Johann—one of the convention’s…

Delegates OK call for 'time limitations' study

HOUSTON—Delegates to the Missouri Synod convention here adopted two more resolutions offered by the Floor Committee on Ecclesial Matters (Committee 7) July 16. Those actions call for a study of time limitations—or specific spans of time—that might apply in the…

Restructuring, governance floor committee nears completion of work

HOUSTON—Delegates to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) convention here adopted two resolutions July 16 concerning amendments to the Synod constitution, while turning down proposals to give priority to circuit and district convention overtures, and to reconsider an earlier action regarding…

LCMS convention adopts congregational, district resolutions

HOUSTON—Delegates to the 64th Regular Convention of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod adopted resolutions to support at the national level various congregational ministries, to assist those in planning reduction-in-force policies and to encourage daily devotions and Bible study.  They defeated a…

Delegates adopt four ‘ecclesial’ resolutions

HOUSTON—Within 45 minutes during the July 15 morning session, delegates to the Missouri Synod convention here adopted four resolutions offered by the Floor Committee on Ecclesial Matters (Committee 7). The actions pertain to church matters that range from simply changing…

Delegates address life issues, human trafficking, malaria

HOUSTON—In three separate resolutions, convention delegates of the 64th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, meeting this week at the George R. Brown Convention Center, voted overwhelmingly to uphold the sanctity of life, support efforts to end human trafficking/slavery…

Convention recognizes special guests

HOUSTON—Former presidents, officers and special guests were recognized July 15 at the 64th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. LCMS President Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick introduced Dr. Robert Kuhn, who served as LCMS president for six months following the…

CTCR to develop guidelines for inter-Lutheran social work

HOUSTON—Delegates here adopted a resolution that calls for developing in-depth guidelines for cooperative social ministry work on the local, national and international levels between The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and other church bodies, including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Proposed…

‘Red chair’ videos feature forgiveness stories

HOUSTON—Among presentations at the 64th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, taking place here July 10-17 at the George R. Brown Convention Center, are a series of brief videos that feature 36 LCMS district and national executives sharing personal…

Haitian Lutherans thank LCMS for response to earthquake

HOUSTON—Delegates to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod convention here took formal action to commend the LCMS’ immediate response and continuing follow-up relief work in Haiti in the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck the island nation Jan. 12.  In addition,…

Thrivent CEO addresses convention

HOUSTON—In a brief message to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod convention, Brad Hewitt, chief executive officer of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, traced how “Lutherans figuring out how to solve problems has resulted in an AA best-rated Fortune 500 company with $70…