By Paula Schlueter Ross The case of Audrey Seiler, the University of Wisconsin sophomore who faked her own abduction in late March, is just one example of the deep emotional pain a number of students are experiencing on today’s college…
Gus Melde dies; former Int`l LLL president
Dr. Gus Melde, a one-time president of the International Lutheran Laymen’s League (Int’l LLL) and member of the Synod Board of Directors, died April 4 at a Dallas hospital, from heart failure and an acute infection resulting from diabetes. A memorial…
Williams, Gehrke receive 2004 honors from LEA
Judy Williams and Dennis Gehrke were named 2004 Lutheran Education Association (LEA) Distinguished Lutheran Early Childhood Director and Distinguished Lutheran Principal, respectively, during LEA’s national administrators conference March 21 in Orlando. Williams is minister to families with young children at…
Western fire victims still `sifting ashes`
Although it’s been six months since massive wildfires burned about 750,000 acres and destroyed more than 3,600 houses in Southern California, relief workers say that some people there are still searching for lost belongings. “In fact, some people are still sifting through…
TV special includes Paul Maier
April 5 ABC-TV special includes commentary from Paul Maier Dr. Paul L. Maier is among commentators in a three-hour ABC-TV special focusing on Jesus Christ and St. Paul, scheduled to air 8-11 p.m. (ET), Monday, April 5. The program, hosted…
Laborers expands program to meet needs of changing congregations
By Paula Schlueter Ross In the face of fewer projects and fewer available workers, Laborers For Christ (LFC) is offering additional services to make its program more useful and “relevant” to today’s changing congregations. The Synod’s LFC program, which began in…
LFL affirms marriage as man-woman union
Marriage is “a God-given institution between a man and a woman.” Homosexual unions “are based on a lie rather than the Word of God … and cannot constitute a marriage,” says a statement adopted Feb. 21 by the national Lutherans…
Arizona congregation sponsors `Igniting` event
By Joe Isenhower Jr. Trinity Lutheran Church, Litchfield Park, Ariz., is thought to be the first congregation to sponsor a “One Mission Ablaze: Igniting Congregations” event March 13. “This is the first congregation-sponsored ‘Igniting’ event that we are aware of,” said…
World`s Lutherans number nearly 66 million
Membership among Lutheran churches in the last two years increased by 570,000, bringing the number of Lutherans worldwide to nearly 66 million by the end of 2003. Regular statistics provided by the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) indicate an average .9 percent…
Thrivent gives $165,000 to train future school administrators
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has awarded a $165,000 grant to develop a training program for potential Lutheran school administrators. The program, known as Administrative Candidates Training Seminars” (ACTS) is “designed to help the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, The Lutheran Church–Missouri…
Anonymous donor gives Ann Arbor $1 million gift
Concordia University, Ann Arbor, Mich., has received a $1 million anonymous grant to be used for scholarships. A university news release dated March 12 said the donor “is a strong proponent of Lutheran Christian education, and has designated the dollars to…
Mission society opens Baltimore `guest house`
Families from out of town who need a place to stay in Baltimore while a loved one is treated at Johns Hopkins Hospital or at another medical facility there now have an option that is free of charge. The Lutheran Mission…
World Mission cancels New Directions conference
LCMS World Mission, which has sponsored its “New Directions” mission conference annually for more than 10 years, has cancelled this year’s event, which was scheduled for April 29-May 2 in St. Louis. The Synod’s mission board is hosting a series of…
Registration now open for LutherHostel
Registration is open for the Oct. 2-5 LutherHostel 2004 at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. A seminary news release describes LutherHostel as “an educational event for adults age 55 and above.” Dr. R. Reed Lessing, assistant professor of exegetical theology at…
Members say network helps family ministry
The new Lutheran Family Ministry Network had signed up more than 30 charter members as this Reporter went to press. A story in the February Reporter announced its formation. “As I read about what it offered, I realized the network…
Pressure Points with Dr. Bruce Hartung
Influence and power are used for personal agendas. Those who don’t go along are disparaged and disregarded. Useful projects also are done, but in part perhaps, simply to cover the more insidious agenda. The way is littered with people who…
