Dr. Robert W. (Bob) Hirsch, a former president of the International Lutheran Laymen’s League (Int’l LLL) and former member of the Synod’s Board of Directors, died of complications from an infection Feb. 24 at a Yankton, S.D., nursing home. A…
Ries accepts Foundation presidency
Rev. Thomas K. (Tom) Ries of Burnsville, Minn., has accepted the presidency of the LCMS Foundation, with plans to join the staff at the Synod’s International Center in St. Louis on Apri1 1. Ries, 49, has been vice president for…
Registration opens this month for Int`l LLL convention
Registration begins in mid-March for the 87th annual International Lutheran Laymen’s League convention, July 22-25 in Rapid City, S.D. Theme of the gathering is “Seek His Face,” based on Psalm 105:4. Designed for Christian families of all ages, this year’s…
Kieschnick: 'Critical event' is key to increases in adult confirmations
By Joe Isenhower Jr. SAN ANTONIO — “Multiplying the critical event” is the key to increasing the number of adult confirmations, Synod President Gerald Kieschnick told those at a “One Mission Ablaze: Igniting Congregations” event Feb. 13-14. Pastors and lay…
World Mission offers new, online resources
“Light for the Darkness,” a new worship service designed to help congregations celebrate Ablaze!, is now available free on the LCMS World Mission Web site at www.lcmsworldmission.org/ablaze. Ablaze! is LCMS World Mission’s initiative that seeks to reach 100 million people…
'Witnessing faith' goes both ways in Pakistan
By Paula Schlueter Ross About five minutes after an American walks into a home in Pakistan, his Muslim host likely will be pulling out the Quran, eager to explain its teachings. “Witnessing is a priority for them,” said Rev. Steve Hughey, director…
Webzine offers guide to ‘Passion of the Christ’
The current edition of LCMS Youth Ministry’s Web magazine, “youthESource,” has a viewers guide for those seeing Mel Gibson’s film “The Passion of the Christ.” The magazine’s editorial team compiled the guide from notes of Dr. James Bachman, dean of…
CTCR backs fellowship with Kenyan church
The Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) is recommending that this summer’s Synod convention declare the Synod to be in altar and pulpit fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya. The resolution of support for fellowship with the…
Tietjen dies; sem president during controversy
Dr. John H. Tietjen, president of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, through the early 1970s and prominent in the Synod’s doctrinal controversy at that time, died Feb. 15 at his home in Fort Worth, Texas, of complications from cancer. Tietjen, 75,…
August Bernthal dies; former Florida-Georgia District president
Dr. August Bernthal, a former district president, Synod vice president and pioneer in refugee resettlement, died Jan. 27 at his home in Winter Haven, Fla., of complications from Alzheimer’s disease. The funeral service was Feb. 2 at Grace Lutheran Church,…
Official Notice: Convention Delegate Names and Addresses
Lists of names and addresses of all voting delegates to the 2004 convention of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod are now available in printed or electronic form. Send requests to the Secretary’s Office. Include a check for $200 to cover costs…
Items wanted, available; reinstatements; positions
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 Choral music for small congregational choir with…
"Letters" March 2004
More on sem wives I simply could not believe my eyes when I read the comments in the February “Letters” from two individuals who were protesting the Council of Presidents’ policy that the wives of seminarians be LCMS members. What…
Board to CCM: Let's 'withdraw,' let convention address issues
By Joe Isenhower Jr. The Synod’s Board of Directors says it will withdraw two resolutions declaring eight opinions of the Commission on Constitutional Matters to be “of no effect” if the commission withdraws those opinions, “so as to allow the…
Task force wants more teachers certified
The 20-member Next Generation Task Force has found that only one in three of the 18,000 teachers in schools operated by Synod congregations are Synod-certified. The task force is recommending steps to increase that ratio. The task force, appointed by…
World Mission to share Pentecost 2000 'learnings'
By Paula Schlueter Ross The good news: More than 900 cross-cultural ministries have been started by Missouri Synod Lutherans since LCMS World Mission launched its “Pentecost 2000” initiative in 1999. Even better, information about all 900-plus ministries is listed on the P2K…
