Dr. Quentin F. Wesselschmidt, former professor at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and chairman of the editorial committee for Concordia Journal for 25 years, died May 12 “peacefully in his sleep,” according to his family. A memorial service for Dr. Wesselschmidt,…

Whether you are a new Christian or a seasoned “prayer warrior,” Journey into Prayer is designed to help you focus on your prayer life and find new ways to communicate with God. The new book from Concordia Publishing House provides:…

(RNS) — Three-quarters of Americans say the country’s moral values are worsening, blaming a decline in ethical standards, poor parenting, and dishonesty by government and business leaders, Gallup reports. The number of Americans who say the nation’s moral values are…

Rev. Harold E. Brockhoff, who served as president of the Synod’s Oklahoma District from 1970 to 1978, died Feb. 2 in Bixby, Okla.  He was 83. A memorial service was held Feb. 6 in Tulsa. Rev. Brockhoff received his M.Div.…

WASHINGTON (RNS) — If your mom says “you shouldn’t have” when you give her flowers on Mother’s Day, a new poll suggests you should thank her for teaching lessons on giving. Nearly one in five Americans (17 percent) surveyed said…

By Todd A. Boettcher Is your church legal? Your first reaction to that question is likely to be, “Of course we are!”  And for virtually all facets of your church’s ministry, organization, and operation, you’d be correct. However, there is…

The Synod’s official periodicals, Reporter and The Lutheran Witness, were honored in May by both the Associated Church Press (ACP) and the Evangelical Press Association (EPA) — winning a combined total of 15 awards for work published in 2009. Founded in 1916,…

By Sarah Schafer LCMS Life Ministries, a ministry of LCMS World Relief and Human Care (WR-HC), is partnering with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia (ELCM), to offer care and counseling to women who believe abortion or “baby dumping” are…

Both of the Missouri Synod’s seminaries will hold visitation events for high school students this summer. Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, will host its 12th annual Vocatio June 19-24 on the seminary campus. The event is designed to identify, inform, and…

Under the theme “Bringing Good News to Life,” Lutherans For Life (LFL) will hold its 2010 national conference July 23-24 at the Tundra Lodge Resort in Green Bay, Wis. Registration is open now, by mail or online at its Web…

OBERAMMERGAU, Germany (RNS) — With its focus on the last days of Jesus’ life, a Passion play should, by its nature, arouse passions. But here, the world’s most famous Passion play keeps stirring the wrong kind. As it has almost…

NAIROBI (RNS/ENI) — The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) says it will not accept money or help from groups that allow or support the legalization of same-sex marriages. “Those in same-sex marriages, and those who support the legitimacy of…

WASHINGTON (RNS) — As Solicitor General Elena Kagan prepares for confirmation hearings to make her the newest member of the U.S. Supreme Court, her nomination changes the religious makeup of the nation’s highest court. But does it matter that the…

The Federal Communications Commission announced May 5 that it has approved the transfer of KFUO-FM’s 99.1 license from The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) to Gateway Creative Broadcasting (“Joy FM”). The transfer will take effect at a mutually agreeable date that…

By Linda C. Hoops The LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) hopes to hold a series of congregational workshops on Christian stewardship of the environment in conjunction with its adoption of a new report on the topic. The…

By Joe Isenhower Jr.   “Amazing, edifying, encouraging, affirming, equipping, and worshipful” is how songwriter Mia Koehne of Phoenix began describing for Reporter her thoughts and impressions of the first LCMS songwriters conference April 21-23 at St. John Lutheran Church, Ellisville,…