In a “Letter to the Church” released Monday, July 18, LCMS President Dr. Matthew C. Harrison announced that, beginning in 2012, the Synod will no longer co-sponsor its training conferences for military chaplains with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America…
Praesidium endorses CTCR document on assessing cooperative work
By Linda C. Hoops The Missouri Synod’s Praesidium (president and five vice-presidents) at its June 1-2 meeting unanimously endorsed a new document from the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) that offers more detailed theological criteria for assessing the…
Concordia, Selma, accreditation reaffirmed
Concordia College in Selma, Ala., received on June 23 a reaffirmation of its accreditation by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Concordia, Selma — one of 10 LCMS colleges and universities nationwide and…
Conference models children's gifts for congregations
The 350-some participants in the July 7-10 National Children’s Ministry Conference at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Orange, Calif., definitely took back home with them more than their shiny orange and lime-colored conference tote bags could hold. “Sandals to Sneakers” was…
Synod commissions 34 new missionaries
By Melanie Ave The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod commissioned 34 new career and long-term missionaries and educators into global service with a special “sending service” July 15 at the LCMS International Center chapel in St. Louis. The 2011 career and GEO…
Former LCMS, LCC district president Dr. Albin Stanfel dies
Former LCMS and Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) district president Dr. Albin J. Stanfel died July 7 in Kitchener, Ontario, after a long bout with cancer. Dr. Stanfel, 82, was surrounded at the time of his death by his children Julie, Marty…
Seminary announces fall LutherHostel
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, will host a LutherHostel for adults age 55 and older Oct. 1-4. The event is designed to provide growth in biblical knowledge and understanding, fun and fellowship, and is an opportunity to “gain helpful insights for…
New missionaries begin orientation, prepare for global service
By Melanie Ave ST. LOUIS — Thirty-two new career and short-term missionaries and educators began an 11-day orientation in St. Louis July 5 to help prepare them for service abroad later this year. The annual event, held this year for the…
Justices rely on 'standing' in church-state disputes
WASHINGTON (RNS) — As the U.S. Supreme Court ended its 2010-11 term at the end of June, legal scholars say a decision issued two months ago is likely to resonate within church-state debates for years to come. On April 4,…
Greek Orthodox rally to rebuild Ground Zero church
NEW YORK (RNS) — With cries of “Rebuild now! Rebuild Now!,” parishioners and supporters of a Greek Orthodox church that was destroyed in the 9/11 attacks rallied at Ground Zero on June 26 in hopes of resuming negotiations to rebuild…
Liechtenstein churches may lose government support
(RNS/ENInews) — Churches in Liechtenstein, one of the world’s smallest countries, could face financial disaster under government plans to withdraw state subsidies under new legislation, according to a Protestant leader. “This will be a drastic change — we depend on…
Supreme Court to review obscenity policy
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The U.S. Supreme Court announced June 27 that it will examine whether the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has the right to ban “fleeting expletives” on broadcast TV. The case will review last year’s decision by the 2nd…
Southern Baptists wrestle with gay hoax
(RNS) — Officials of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) say they were the victims of a hoax in which a group claiming to be the denomination’s Executive Committee announced it had started to support gay marriage. A website of the…
Muslims meet on response to Islamophobia
(RNS) — With the 10th anniversary of 9/11 looming, attendees at North America’s largest Muslim gathering this past weekend are told that the best way to deal with Islamophobia is not to lay low, but to get involved in politics,…
Mormon leaders told to stay out of politics
SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) — Mormon (LDS) officials are telling their top full-time leaders that they and their spouses should not participate in political campaigns, including making donations or endorsing candidates. However, part-time leaders — including local and regional congregational…
A church with any other name …
(RNS) — For Living Faith Lutheran Church, the name change was as much about the future as the past. On Sunday, June 26, the Rockville, Md., congregation formally bid goodbye to its old name, Crusader Lutheran Church. “We’re not saying…
