Black convocation to offer ministry helps for all

The Black Ministry Family Convocation — set for July 9-13 in Kansas City, Mo. — isn’t just for African-Americans.

Board OKs ‘balanced’ $75.5 million Synod budget

During its May 16-17 meeting in St. Louis, the LCMS Board of Directors also sets Milwaukee as the site for the 2016 Synod convention.

Upcoming symposium targets infertility ethics

The Nov. 8 event at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, will tackle the question of what is God-pleasing in the field of infertility medicine.

Muehler to direct Synod’s armed-forces ministry

Chaplain Craig G. Muehler (pictured) of Springfield, Va., will succeed Chaplain Mark J. Schreiber as director of the Synod’s Ministry to the Armed Forces.

Synod’s magazine wins two EPA awards

“The Lutheran Witness” receives an “Award of Merit” in the “Denominational” category and wins fourth place in the “Single-Theme Section or Issue” category from the Evangelical Press Association.

LCMS, LCC, Nicaragua Lutherans sign protocol agreement

The document outlines how the LCMS, Lutheran Church—Canada and Lutheran Church—Synod of Nicaragua will work together to expand mission work.

Seminary names Ziegler to Preus Chair

The Rev. Dr. Roland F. Ziegler has been named holder of the Rev. Dr. Robert D. Preus Chair in Systematic Theology/Confessional Lutheran Studies at Concordia Theological Seminary.

Movie review: ‘Godzilla’

In “Godzilla,” “viewers of every stripe will have an opportunity to ask where they place their trust — in God, in man or in nature?” writes reviewer Rev. Ted Giese.

LCMS Rural & Small Town Mission: Engaging Your Community (KFUO interview with Rev. Todd Kollbaum)

Rev. Todd Kollbaum discusses how rural and small town churches can engage their communities.

Christian to lead Concordia, Austin

Effective Aug. 1, Dr. Donald Christian will succeed President Dr. Tom Cedel as interim president and chief executive officer of Concordia University Texas, Austin.

Retreat ‘encourages,’ ‘renews’ missionaries in Africa

From Guinea to South Africa, missionaries sent by the LCMS to Africa leave their respective fields to enjoy spiritual refreshment and Scriptural reflection during a retreat in Kenya.

Fynn to LBT guests: Bible translation still needed

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Paul Kofi Fynn, president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana, addresses guests at the May 2 kick-off event for Lutheran Bible Translators’ 50th anniversary celebration.

LCMS, AHG reps sign ‘Memo of Understanding’

LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison and Patti Garibay, national executive director of American Heritage Girls, sign a document that outlines how the two organizations will work together.

Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Recommends Faith-based Program for Girls

ST. LOUIS (May 14, 2014) – The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) President Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison and American Heritage Girls (AHG) Executive Director Patti Garibay signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) May 14, 2014.

Movie review: ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’

The new film is a great analogy of David and Goliath, minus one key element, writes reviewer Rev. Ted Giese.

Great Expectations Newsletter – April 2014

In this issue from LCMS’ Office of National Mission, the topic of helping versus enabling older adults in their spiritual lives is discussed. Some ways a congregation can handle the fine line between these two concepts — and, at the same time, equip older adults in a congregation to better care for themselves spiritually — are outlined and explained.