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…

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,…

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…

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…

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 delegates complete balloting

HOUSTON—During voting today, all remaining elections were completed, including positions on the newly formed Board of National Mission and the Board of International Mission. The two boards were formed earlier this week when delegates passed Resolution 8-08A, “to realign the…

Delegates support Wittenberg project

HOUSTON—Delegates to the 64th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod here voted overwhelmingly July 16 to “encourage the ‘Wittenberg project’ as a Gospel witness opportunity.”Rev. David L. Mahsman, an LCMS missionary and managing director of the International Lutheran Society…

Kober denounces unreconciled relationships

HOUSTON—On the last full day of convention business, Ted Kober, founder and president of Ambassadors of Reconciliation, spoke out against unreconciled relationships, saying that “those who worship together yet remain unreconciled disrupt the community of faith.” The 64th Regular Convention…

Convention votes to ‘increase impact’ of vicarage program

HOUSTON—Delegates to the 64th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod here voted July 15 to “increase the impact” of the church body’s vicarage, or yearlong internship, program for seminarians. Resolution 5-04, presented by the Floor Committee on Seminary and…

Convention adopts improved procedures

HOUSTON—Looking to future conventions, the 64th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod adopted revised procedures for making reports and overtures, appointing floor committees, distributing advance materials and selecting convention dates and locations. The procedures, which involve bylaw changes, were…

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…

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,…

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…

‘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…

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…

Taylor advocates forgiveness in communities

HOUSTON—Dr. Dien Ashley Taylor, pastor of Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church, Bronx, N.Y., asked convention members to show forgiveness to and share the Gospel of Christ in their own neighborhoods. “As forgiven communities of faith,” he said, “every congregation becomes a…