GENEVA (RNS/ENInews) — Afghan officials have ordered two international church-backed humanitarian groups to suspend operations while they investigate allegations of illegal proselytizing, which the groups strongly deny. Afghanistan has suspended the activities of Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) and the U.S.-based…

Dr. Oswald A. Waech, The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod’s first evangelism secretary (from 1954 to 1962), died June 1 at a Chino, Calif., hospital. Dr. Waech, who was 98, had been in declining health for a number of years.  He and his…

  Related Story: Advisory concerns wireless microphones  WASHINGTON (RNS) — American churches have a little more than a week left before they have to change their wireless microphone equipment or face more than $100,000 in fines. In January, the Federal…

As in previous LCMS convention years, Reporter and The Lutheran Witness asked the five nominees for Synod president this year to answer in writing four questions related to issues in the Synod — some of which will be addressed during…

Two Synod ministries –- LCMS World Relief and Human Care (WR-HC) and LCMS World Mission — are receiving a total $304,437 in funds resulting from the vote of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans members on where to distribute $1 million for charity. The…

By Kim Plummer Krull Helping Saint Paul Lutheran High School remodel the gym marks Norm Hoppmann’s 12th project for churches and schools – but his first prom. “I ended up with the dubious name of ‘Grandpa Prom,” said Hoppmann, who…

Registration is open for a number of off-campus continuing-education workshops both Synod seminaries are offering around the country this summer. The cost for each of the 15 Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, workshops is $125 (with the exception of the three…

Dr. Eugene and Bernice Bunkowske, pioneering missionaries in West African Bible translation and in mission service around the world, have been honored with the “Lutheran Bible Translators [LBT] Lifetime Achievement Award.” The award was presented to them in recognition of…

WASHINGTON (RNS) — The U.S. Supreme Court will review the constitutionality of an Arizona program that provides state tax breaks for donations to private school scholarship programs. As part of the 13-year-old tax-tuition program, taxpayers receive a dollar-for-dollar reduction in…

(RNS) A federal judge has rejected a motion filed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to dismiss a California lawsuit that challenges tax breaks ministers can receive on housing. Section 107 of the Internal Revenue Code allows housing-related tax…

Note:  Reporter cannot accept notices about items offered for sale or that people wish to purchase.  Items described as “Wanted” or “Available” are sought or may be obtained for shipping costs only. Wanted One flagon, one chalice, two patens (4…

The following errors in the Convention Workbook mailed to all delegates and church workers at the end of April are brought to the attention of the Synod.  Please note the corrections: On page 31 of the Biographical Synopses & Statements…

GENERAL INFORMATION:  Voting and advisory delegates and representatives are reminded that the 64th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod will be held in the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston, July 10-17, 2010.  The Opening Convention Worship…

The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod extends a call for nominations for the position of assistant executive director of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR). The Commission, with the assistance of three full-time executives, provides leadership and guidance to the…

KEVIN DEAN, Chicago, Ill.; KURT E. DEGNER, Grass Valley, Calif.; and MARK E. LANGHOFF, Berthoud, Colo., have applied for reinstatement to the Ministers of Religion-Ordained roster of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. BECKY M. NEUMANN, Houston, Texas, and GAY SVEC, Westchester,…

Women’s leadership Paula Schlueter Ross’ article on the Women’s Leadership Institute conference in the May Reporter included a quotation from keynote speaker Jean Garton, who “encouraged women to live lives ‘that matter.’” I find this rather astonishing. Anyone unsure if…