(RNS) — Americans’ acceptance of gays and lesbians is continuing to grow, with a new poll showing that just over a third of Americans view homosexuality as a sin, down from 44 percent a year earlier. The finding from LifeWay Research,…
Humanists slice and dice the world's sacred texts
(RNS) — Thomas Jefferson is back in Washington — in the form of a new edition of the “Jefferson Bible” distributed to politicians by a national humanist organization. The American Humanist Association (AHA) has delivered electronic and paperback copies of Jefferson’s…
Website offers photos, videos from life march, conference
Lutherans are marking the 40th anniversary of legalized abortion by taking part in the national “March for Life” on Jan. 25 in Washington, D.C., and attending the first-ever LCMS Life Conference Jan. 25-26 in Arlington, Va. (Washington, D.C., area). The…
LEA announces eight 2013 award recipients
William “Bill” Cochran of St. Louis and the Rev. Robert “Bob” Riggert of Manning, Iowa, have been named to receive Lutheran Education Association’s top honor, the Christus Magister Award. They are among eight educators to receive LEA’s education awards for…
LEA convocation set for Oct. 24-26 in Milwaukee
Lutheran Education Association’s (LEA) 11th triennial convocation is set for Oct. 24-26 at the Delta Center convention facility in downtown Milwaukee. This 2013 convocation of the LCMS Recognized Service Organization is expected to draw more than 2,500 educators in Lutheran ministries…
Birner accepts post at Concordia Wisconsin
The Rev. Dr. David Birner, a longtime LCMS missionary and mission executive, plans to begin work Feb. 18 as executive director of International Education at Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, Wis. Since October, Birner, 61, has served as associate executive director for…
CPS, Healthways offer 'SilverSneakers' fitness program
Effective Jan. 1, retirees and their spouses who are enrolled in Concordia Plan Services’ (CPS) Medicare supplemental coverage option are being offered the SilverSneakers® Fitness Program cost-free through 2015. CPS recently announced the new offering in partnership with Nashville, Tenn.-based Healthways…
Vacation Bible school program to benefit Missouri Synod disaster response
ST. LOUIS, January 23, 2013—Mission offerings collected through the new Concordia Publishing House (CPH) vacation Bible school (VBS) program for 2013, “Tell It on the Mountain – Where Jesus Christ is Lord,” will benefit a special fund of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) that aims to help those suffering from a disaster.
NEWS ANALYSIS: 40 years after Roe v. Wade, abortion foes are winning — and losing
(RNS) — Four decades after Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion, many opponents of the decision are in a celebratory mood while those backing abortion rights are glum, feeling that momentum is turning decisively against…
Vatican criticizes European religious freedom ruling
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The Vatican criticized a Jan. 16 ruling from the European Court of Human Rights that affirms employers’ right to limit the expression of religious beliefs in the workplace when it conflicts with equality laws. In an interview…
March for Life's Monahan leads next generation of anti-abortion activists
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Each January in the four decades since the Roe v. Wade decision legalized abortion in 1973, Nellie Gray marshaled tens of thousands of anti-abortion demonstrators for the March for Life rally. Now, after Gray’s death in August at…
Lutherans mark 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade
ST. LOUIS—January 22, 2013—Lutherans are marking the milestone 40th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion by participating in the national “March for Life” and attending the first-ever Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Life Conference Friday, Jan. 25, and Saturday, Jan. 26, respectively, in Washington, D.C.
Harrison shares Epiphany message in new video
In a new Epiphany video message to the church, LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison encourages members to focus on loving and supporting their pastors and their families. “It’s not easy being a pastor. In fact, it’s extremely difficult. You…
Mission publication available for free download
The latest issue of Missio Apostolica, the journal of the Lutheran Society for Missiology, is available as a PDF for free downloading. The publication is published twice a year, typically in May and November, “to promote discussion of thoughts and issues…
'YM 13' speakers urge intentional mix of church's generations
Every congregation’s makeup is multigenerational, by nature. But, what they may not be — and should look at how they can be — is intergenerational in their activities, including youth ministry. That was the bottom-line message of the two speakers —…
LCMS President sends Epiphany blessings Video message released
ST. LOUIS, January 16, 2012—The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison sends Epiphany blessings to the church in a video message.