By Joe Isenhower Jr. MILWAUKEE — With 10 new district presidents participating for the first time, the LCMS Council of Presidents focused on humility and forgiveness at its Sept. 14-18 meeting here. That focus is the fourth of five principles…
CTCR OKs consultations on `scriptural relationship of man, woman`
Plans for two consultations on “The Scriptural Relationship of Man and Woman” were approved by the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations when it met Sept. 21-22, a meeting that was abbreviated because of the death of long-standing member…
Savings program offers new health care alternative
By James Heine The onset of fall heralds predictable rituals: children returning to school, football returning to TV, and a relatively new one — choosing a health-insurance plan for the coming year and deciding how to pay for it. Most…
Church, school youth workers to meet
Registration is open for LCMS Youth Ministry’s 2007 (YM2007) symposium for lay and professional workers among high-school-age teens in LCMS congregations, schools, agencies, and districts. The event, also open to college students pursuing careers in church work and youth ministry,…
New `catechism` explores life issues
Timely topics like abortion, bioethics, human sexuality, and end-of-life concerns are viewed through the “Lutheran lens” of Luther’s Small Catechism in a new book published by LCMS World Relief/Human Care’s Life Ministries. Concordia Theological Seminary professor Rev. John T. Pless…
Commentary: Clearing the confusion — the issue of stem-cell research
By Maggie Karner “If you’re so ‘pro-life,’ then why can’t you support stem-cell research? Shouldn’t being pro-life also be about finding cures to save future lives?” demanded the e-mail across my screen. Ironically, the writer was absolutely correct. Being pro-life…
Free `e-newsletter` targets church workers
The Synod’s Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support (CMGS) has launched an “e-newsletter” that is distributed free via e-mail to those who request it. Issued twice a month, “Focus on Workers of the Church” is designed to “renew and exhilarate”…
(October) Pressure Points
with Dr. Bruce Hartung Q: I am not sure why I need to write this letter, although my wife encouraged me to write it. She thinks I have a drinking problem. I think that she simply needs to be reassured…
Letters to the Editor (October) Part 1
Heeding the call This is in response to the September commentary by Dr. Uwe Siemon-Netto. As a veteran of the Vietnam era (U.S. Navy Hospital Corps, 1969-73), I am not sure what path Dr. Siemon-Netto would have advised in those…
Letters to the Editor (October) Part 2
Funding the mission God be praised for the report from the Blue Ribbon Task Force for Funding the Mission. The most promising recommendation is the call for a “stewardship renaissance” based on biblical stewardship. A fresh LCMS stewardship emphasis, blessed…
Items wanted (October)
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 Copies of Roughing It for Christ in the…
Requests for Reinstatement (October)
MATTHEW E. THOMPSON, Windsor, Calif., has applied for reinstatement to the Minister of Religion-Ordained roster of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. ELIZABETH A. LEWIS, Silver City, N.M.; LINDA PLOPPER, Grafton, Wis.; LINDA RADUE, Grafton, Wis.; LOUISE REABE, Granger, Ind.; KAREN SHIMKUS,…
Congregation produces `Hurried Life` resources
The Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens in Webster Groves, Mo., a suburb of St. Louis, has developed a six-week, DVD-based, small-group Bible-study series designed to help people get out of the “rat race” of daily life by focusing more on…
Conference explores ways to help war chaplains readjust
By Paula Schlueter Ross A U.S. soldier is patrolling an Iraqi village when bullets whiz past him. He returns the fire and is alarmed to see that he’s hit a small boy, whose arm has been completely severed. A female…
Seven join seminary staffs, five others named as deans
Seven people have joined the staffs of the Synod’s two seminaries this fall, and five others have been named as seminary deans. At Concordia Seminary, St. Louis: Rev. Eloy S. Gonzalez will serve as associate director of the seminary’s Center…
Dr. Kurt Marquart, seminary professor, dies
Seminary professor Dr. Kurt Marquart died Sept. 19, at home, after suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, a progressive neurodegenerative disease also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. A funeral service was held Sept. 22 at Kramer Chapel on the campus of…
