The Board of Directors of Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Ind., has selected Mark A. Heckler, 52, of Littleton, Colo., as the independent Lutheran university’s next president, succeeding Dr. Alan F. Harre, who is set to retire June 30. Heckler, 52, is provost…
World Mission, POBLO co-sponsor 'Jesus and Muslims' conference
Can you imagine what an encounter between Jesus and a Muslim person would be like today? Do you think Jesus would unleash a barrage of condemnation? Or do you think He’d ask for an invitation to dine in a Muslim’s…
LCMS missionaries OK in Kenya
Two Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod missionary couples stationed outside of Nairobi, Kenya, are safe and do not appear to be in harm’s way despite five days of post-election rioting in the city that has led to more than 300 deaths, widespread…
Youth poll: 'My own faith' top concern
By Joe Isenhower Jr. In the tally of the Lutheran Youth Fellowship (LYF) Youth Poll conducted at last year’s National LCMS Gathering in Orlando, young people saw “my own faith” as their number-one concern. Of the 2,152 participants who took…
Thrivent ups pledge to building alliance by $20 million
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans announced in December that it is increasing by $20 million its commitment to “Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity” — the national affordable-housing effort it shares with Habitat for Humanity International, and the largest four-year commitment…
LSA opens auctions to more Lutherans
Lutheran congregations, schools, colleges, and universities for the first time are being invited to join in Lutheran Services in America’s (LSA) eBay “Trading Graces” auction to raise funds for their ministries. LSA is not only expanding its Feb. 5-12 national…
Lilly Endowment offers pastor-sabbatical grants
By Joe Isenhower Jr. May 14 is the postmark deadline for congregations and their pastors to apply for grants of up to $45,000 each from the Lilly Endowment Inc. in its 2008 “National Clergy Renewal” program for pastors’ sabbaticals and…
'Golden Compass' resources available
What are Christians to make of “The Golden Compass,” the controversial new fantasy film based on the book of the same title by self-proclaimed atheist Philip Pullman? Should they take their kids to see it? Two resources are available that…
Items wanted, available (January)
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 Unused workbook(s) titled Masterplan — Following God’s…
Positions (January)
LCMS Rocky Mountain District, Denver, Colo., seeks to fill the position of director of development. The director of development will take the lead in developing and implementing an initiative in two areas. First, he or she will cultivate both present…
Call for nominations: CTCR executive director
The LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) seeks nominations for executive director. The executive director reports to the CTCR and is responsible for supervising the administration of the CTCR according to Commission decisions, delegating responsibilities according to Commission…
Requests for reinstatement (January)
MICHAEL A. CROON, Niles, Ill., has applied for reinstatement to the Minister of Religion-Ordained roster of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. WENDY BORCHERDING, Lincoln, Neb., and CAROL WALTHER, Collinsville, Ill., have applied for reinstatement to the Minister of Religion-Commissioned roster of…
Letters to the Editor (January)
Enrollment and debt I read your article in the December issue regarding enrollment at Concordia University System schools. While it was encouraging to see the overall increase in student growth, I was most disappointed by the comments and even the…
Pressure Points (January)
With Dr. Bruce Hartung This installation of “Pressure Points” continues the dialogue from last month concerning whether I “missed the mark” with my reply in the October column to the pastor struggling with his parishioners’ disinterest in doctrine. Following the…
Jan. 1 Rose Parade features Lutheran Hour float
“The Lutheran Hour” float was once again the only religious float in the Tournament of Roses Parade Jan. 1 in Pasadena, Calif. This is the 58th year the float, hosted by the Southern California District of the International Lutheran Laymen’s…
103 congregations pledge to plant churches
By Paula Schlueter Ross LCMS World Mission executive Rev. Yohannes Mengsteab is starting the new year happy and hopeful. Happy because 103 Missouri Synod congregations have completed orientation to become Ablaze! “Covenant Congregations,” pledging to start up to four “daughter”…
