As I write this, I am teaching at China Lutheran Seminary in Hsinchu, Taiwan. After I addressed members of a mission society here the other day, I was asked a thoughtful question. I thought I’d report the question and also,…
Resources aim to help with `Ablaze!` outreach
New resources are being developed “to help Synod congregations and their schools use friendship-celebration events to support the Ablaze! initiative by helping them be the best welcoming communities they can be,” says Rev. Larry Reinhardt. Reinhardt is director of Outreach and…
Peace accord may herald growth in Sudan church
By Paula Schlueter Ross The last time Rev. Andrew Elisa, president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sudan, spoke with Reporter, his church body had about 5,000 members in 23 congregations, and he was the only ordained pastor. That was in November…
CTCR considers revising policy on response to dissents
The Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) is considering revising its policy for how it responds to those who notify the commission that they dissent from a doctrinal resolution or statement of the Synod. At its Feb. 14-16 meeting in…
Objections remain to Moose lodge rituals
Objections remain to tenets and rituals of the Loyal Order of Moose, says a new evaluation of the lodge prepared by staff of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR). “The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod recognizes that the Loyal Order of…
St. Louis seminary plans alumni reunion
A reunion for Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, alumni and their spouses and widows will be held May 31-June 3 on the seminary campus. The event is open to graduating classes from years ending in “0” or “5.” Registration materials were mailed…
Conference to focus on international students
International Student Ministry Inc. (ISM), an LCMS mission society, is sponsoring an “enabling and equipping” conference May 26-29 at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. The conference is designed for those who reach out to international students on U.S. college campuses, and…
COP sets circuit counselor conference for next year
The Synod’s Council of Presidents (COP) has set Sept. 12-14, 2006, for a National Circuit Counselors Conference. It would be the first such conference since 1991. President Gerald Kieschnick and the COP’s Program Committee recommended to the COP that the conference…
LWF: World's Lutherans number 69.5 million
Membership in Lutheran churches worldwide increased by 3.57 million in 2004, according to the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), which puts that membership total at 69,527,817. Statistics provided by the LWF show growth of 5.4 percent for all Lutheran churches, from the…
Thrivent announces personnel changes
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has announced a number of changes in its executive-management team. “The changes reflect Thrivent Financial’s planned three-year transition from an organization led by dual chief executives … to a single chief executive,” said a Thrivent news release. “The…
Singles to gather at Concordia, River Forest
“Encourage One Another” is the theme for the 18th International Lutheran Single Adult conference, to be held June 30-July 3 at Concordia University, River Forest, Ill. The event is held annually to provide opportunities for fellowship, learning, outreach, worship, and service…
Outreach Institute set for July
This year’s Outreach Leadership Institute will be held July 14-16 at Concordia University, St. Paul, Minn., under the theme “Building Blocks for Today’s Great Commission Congregations.” The outreach training event is sponsored annually by the Oswald Hoffmann School of Christian…
Navy chaplain dies on ship duty
Missouri Synod Navy Chaplain Ed Jack died of a heart attack Jan. 29 while serving aboard the U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard in the Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf. Jack, 51, a lieutenant commander in the Navy, served as chaplain for the…
Wilke announces retirement plans
Dr. LeRoy Wilke, executive director of the LCMS Board for District and Congregational Services (DCS) since 2000, announced last month his intent to retire June 30. The board, meeting Feb. 4-5 in St. Louis, appointed Rev. Jeffery Schubert, its director…
LWML convention registration opens
Registration opens March 1 for the 31st biennial convention of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, to be held June 16-19 in Tampa, Fla. Theme of the four-day convention is “Live Joyfully as Salt and Light,” from Matt. 5:13-16. Keynote speaker will be…
Holding babies is part of this pro-life Bible study
By Paula Schlueter Ross Want to show teenagers how precious God’s gift of life really is? Let them hold babies! That’s the view of Becky Ferber, whose sanctity-of-life Bible study for seventh- and eighth-graders is now in its 10th year at Immanuel…
