In a March 12 e-mail sent to LCMS leaders, Rev. Yutaka Kumei, president of the Japan Lutheran Church (JLC), thanked the Synod for its “many messages of concern and support. We feel very comforted knowing that there are so many…
LCMS missionaries, partner church staff OK after Japan quake
Initial contact with LCMS missionaries and partner church staff in Japan indicates that they are safe after the devastating 9.0-magnitude earthquake that struck the east coast of the island nation March 11. Also, no major property losses among Lutherans have yet…
Harrison encourages ‘Litany’ prayers this Lent
As Lent begins, LCMS President Rev. Matthew C. Harrison invites the church to join him in praying “The Litany,” profound words long prayed by Christians in times of need. “Lent is a time for serious repentance, a time to get…
Gaspar installed as first pastor of Dominican Lutheran Mission
Dr. Willy Gaspar, a 45-year-old dentist, was ordained and installed as the first pastor of the emerging Dominican Republic Lutheran Mission March 13 at Amigos de Christo Church in Las Americas, near the capital city of Santo Domingo. Gaspar, who…
LCEF announces art, architecture award
Applications are being accepted for entry in the 2011 Fifth Triennial Art and Architecture Award program sponsored by the Architectural Advisory Committee of Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF). The award program recognizes exceptional religious art and architectural achievement in the…
COP meets with LCC counterparts; approves five regions
By James Heine For the first time in nearly a decade, the LCMS Council of Presidents met with its Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) counterpart. The meeting took place Feb. 21-24 in St. Louis. While the two groups shared reports and conversations,…
Leaders stress partnerships for rural, small-town ministry
By Roland Lovstad Craig Pankow refuses to accept the notion that his small-town congregation in North Dakota will close for lack of members. In fact, he wants to encourage other rural and small-town churches to visualize outreach as a viable…
Caucus discusses future of LCMS black ministry
With the elimination of the Synod’s Board for Black Ministry Services — a result of restructuring resolutions adopted at the 2010 LCMS convention — the LCMS Black Clergy Caucus is looking at ways to support black ministry in the years…
LCMS pastor comforts witnesses after shooting in Germany
By Paula Schlueter Ross It wasn’t an easy assignment, but Rev. Robert Flohrs says he’s grateful for the opportunity he had to minister to U.S. servicemembers within hours of the March 2 shooting at Frankfurt Airport. “I felt very honored…
Islam dominated religion coverage in 2010
(RNS) — Islam was the most frequent topic of religion news coverage in 2010, as the media doubled the amount of time and space devoted to religion compared to 2009. An analysis by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public…
Court rules for Jewish man in Shavuot dispute
(RNS) — An Orthodox Jew has won a new trial after Maryland’s highest court ruled that a lower court erred when it denied his requests to suspend a trial so he could observe a religious holiday. Alexander Neustadter had argued…
Sem offers free 'In the Word Bible Studies'
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is offering a new Bible study series that’s specifically designed to help pastors with limited time and budgets. All components of the In the Word Bible Studies — four video presentations, leaders guides and student study…
Registration opens for LFL conference
Under the theme “Adopted in Christ,” Lutherans For Life (LFL) will hold its 2011 national conference Aug. 5-6 at the Sheraton Grand DFW Hotel in Dallas. Registration opens March 3 online at the LFL website, www.lutheransforlife.org, where other details about…
South Dakota congregation receives award
By James Heine St. John’s Lutheran Church, Yankton, S.D., was honored recently by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) for its support of Guard or Reserve employees called to active duty. The congregation received the DOD’s Pro Patria Award at…
Kieschnick begins work at Concordia Texas
LCMS President Emeritus Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick began serving March 1 as presidential ambassador for mission advancement at Concordia University Texas, Austin. In the newly created position, Kieschnick will “nurture and expand” existing relationships with congregations, organizations, foundations and individuals…
Board OKs Thrivent allocations, hears of budget challenges
ST. LOUIS — The Synod’s Board of Directors took several positive actions at its Feb. 17-18 meeting here — including endorsement of allocating to 28 projects of Synod units a total of $1,150,000 in funds anticipated from Thrivent Financial for…

