Dr. Oswald C.J. Hoffmann, religious broadcasting pioneer and honorary speaker of radio’s “The Lutheran Hour,” who died Sept. 8 (2005) in St. Louis after a brief illness, likely would have appreciated the words of LCMS President Gerald B. Kieschnick at…
Oswald Hoffmann in his own words
In his 1996 autobiography, What More Is There to Say but Amen, Dr. Oswald C.J. Hoffmann shared his thoughts about fame — and faith. Here’s an excerpt: “I never tried to play the hero in positions I held or in any…
St. Louis seminary offers free `Bach at sem` concerts
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is beginning its 14th season of “Bach at the Sem” concerts featuring presentations of J.S. Bach’s music by The American Kantorei under the direction of Robert Bergt. The concerts are free and open to the public,…
Synod is reaching more blind people than ever
By Paula Schlueter Ross Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod congregations now sponsor 31 Outreach Centers for the Blind, and 10 more centers are poised to open later this year, according to Rev. Dave Andrus, executive director of Lutheran Blind Mission, an LCMS mission…
Materials still available for `LWML Sunday`
Even though many LCMS congregations were expected to observe “Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Sunday” on Oct. 2, the suggested date, it’s not too late for those who haven’t yet planned such an observance. Congregations may celebrate “LWML Sunday” any time,…
Fairow, Snow join World Mission
Rev. Greg Fairow of Iowa City, Iowa, and Rev. Scott A. Snow of Rockford, Ill., have joined the staff of LCMS World Mission. Fairow, 46, began serving Aug. 29 as deployed “campus mission catalyst.” His responsibilities include working with the Lutheran…
People in the news
Dr. Richard Bimler, president of Wheat Ridge Ministries, Itasca, Ill., has been chosen to receive this year’s “Wittenberg Award.” The Washington, D.C.-based Luther Institute presents the annual award for outstanding service to church and society. Bimler has served as president of Wheat…
New relief plan supports hard-hit Southern District
LCMS President Gerald B. Kieschnick and Rev. Matthew Harrison, executive director of LCMS World Relief/Human Care, announced Sept. 8 a new plan to better assist and support congregations and church workers in the Synod’s hard-hit Southern District in the aftermath…
LCMS pastors take part in Lithuanian groundbreaking
Dr. Gary Arp, president of the LCMS Iowa District East, and Dr. Charles Evanson, a faculty member at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, who teaches in Lithuania, took part in a groundbreaking and cornerstone-dedication service July 30 in Palanga, Lithuania.…
Call for nominations: Director of Mission Networking
The Board for Black Ministry Services plans, coordinates, and expands the activities in Black Ministry with the various judicatories of the Synod, including districts and local congregations. In addition, by special assignment of the Board of Directors, it recruits Black…
Requests for Reinstatement
CARL A. BROWN, Memphis, Tenn.; ROBERT D. MCAMIS, Chattanooga, Tenn.; and JEROME MITCHELL, Brecksville, Ohio, have applied for reinstatement to the Minister of Religion-Ordained roster of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. FREDRICK L. AUFDEMBRINK, Norfolk, Neb.; JULIE DAVIS, Leland, Mich.; SUSAN…
Dr. Oswald Hoffmann, speaker of `The Lutheran Hour,` dies
Dr. Oswald C.J. Hoffmann, religious broadcasting pioneer and honorary speaker of radio’s “The Lutheran Hour,” died Sept. 8, 2005, in St. Louis after a brief illness. Dr. Hoffmann, 91, had been in and out of the hospital in recent weeks, according…
In 2004, giving increases, membership declines
By Roland Lovstad Although membership declined by more than 25,000 people from 2003 to 2004, total contributions rose by $51 million among the 6,151 congregations in The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. According to congregational reports of statistics for 2004, LCMS members…
Board seeks input on `RSO-model test`
The Synod’s Board of Directors (Board) says it wants to hear from presidents of LCMS colleges and universities about a proposal from the Board for University Education (BUE) to test an “RSO governance model” for the 10 schools that would…
Int`l LLL convention focuses on equipping laity for outreach
With the theme “Enlarge the Harvest,” the 88th annual international convention of the International Lutheran Laymen’s League brought more than 1,000 people to Topeka, Kan., to focus on training leaders and “activating” laypeople for ministry, kick off the yearlong 75th…
