Beginning in November, the 2008 round of LCMS Servant Events for youth and adult leaders features construction, human care, outreach, and environmental projects at Lutheran camps, churches, schools, and social service organizations in the United States and Mexico. LCMS District and…

LCMS Youth Ministry’s third National Lutheran Youth Workers Conference — set for July 10-13 at the Westin Hotel In Indianapolis — will offer 20 workshops, first-time in-depth “intensives,” and an optional “boot camp” to enhance team building.           Registration is now open for…

Rev. James Likens, an LCMS actor, musician, and owner of JDL Video Productions in St. Louis, buys a lot of nails these days.  But he’s not in the construction business — the 6-inch nails are object lessons that he uses…

Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, offers a variety of resources that are designed to help congregations learn more about the Reformation or celebrate the special observance on Oct. 31. Among Reformation resources are: books, including What Luther Says ($39.99, item no.…

ACCRA, Ghana — The International Lutheran Council (ILC) accepted four new member church bodies — the most at any one time — during its 22nd international conference here Sept. 24-30. The ILC is an association of 34 confessional Lutheran church bodies from six continents…

By Paula Schlueter Ross The war in Iraq has affected every Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod congregation in some way, according to Chaplain Mark Schreiber, director of the Synod’s Ministry to the Armed Forces. Most, if not all, Schreiber says, have members…

Lutherans For Life (LFL) maintains a “speakers bureau” that can provide experienced pro-life speakers for rallies, conventions, Bible studies, workshops, schools, or worship services. Available speakers, including LFL Executive Director Dr. James I. Lamb, can address any number of life…

Lutheran World Relief (LWR), Baltimore, is offering three Marian Stegemoeller Memorial Scholarships for seminary students interested in taking part in an LWR study tour in 2008. Each scholarship covers the cost of one full study tour, including round-trip airfare, meals,…

The Children’s Christian Concern Society (CCCS) is holding its annual mission conference Nov. 2-3 at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Leawood, Kan.  The theme of the gathering is “Well of Blessings,” from Deut. 6:10-11. Rev. Tim and Beth Heiney,…

By Joe Isenhower Jr. Dr. Samuel H. Nafzger, executive director of the Synod’s Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) since 1975, told the commission at its Sept 6-7 meeting that he has decided to accept a formal request from…

The 2010 National LCMS Youth Gathering will take place July 17-21 in New Orleans. “New Orleans is once more a vibrant city for meeting the mission of the National LCMS Youth Gathering,” Gretchen Jameson, associate director for LCMS Youth Ministry –…

In November, the Portals of Prayer editorial committee will be choosing authors for the 2010 issues of the devotion booklet.  The committee is inviting all those interested in writing for Portals to submit four sample devotions — two on assigned…

Exploring ministry with young adults in Synod congregations, a Jan. 4-6 symposium in Houston sponsored by LCMS Youth Ministry is being designed for all professional and volunteer congregational leaders and educators. Youth Ministry 2008, or “YM2008” for short, the symposium…

By Uwe Siemon-Netto Christopher Hitchens, the witty British-born journalist and author, earlier this year joined the growing flock of godless writers swamping America’s bookstores with atheist tomes.  This in itself doesn’t bother me.  The man is entitled to his opinion, and…

Talk about tithing In last month’s commentary, Philip Meinzen urges pastors to talk more about tithing so that Christians may know the “ ‘transactional’ benefits,” “economic vitality,” and “relational benefits” that result from giving the first tenth of their income…