WASHINGTON (RNS) — Spike Lee is not about to give up filmmaking but — at least for a moment or two — he sounded a bit like an expert on the challenges facing the church as he promoted his new…
National Cathedral gets boost for repair effort
WASHINGTON (RNS) — One year after an earthquake caused extensive damage to the Washington National Cathedral, church officials received a large gift to help restore the structure. The $5 million grant comes from the Lilly Endowment Inc., a philanthropic organization. The announcement…
Bible game show aims for religious audience
(RNS) — The world’s best-selling book has made it to the small screen in what is thought to be the first religiously themed game show on a secular network. “The American Bible Challenge” tests teams’ knowledge of the Old and New…
CTCR to host international theological conference
By Adriane Dorr More than 120 Lutheran leaders from around the world will gather in Atlanta, Ga., this fall to discuss the Reformation and its significance in the 21st century. Hosted by the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR)…
LCMS urges hurricane volunteers to wait for first response
By Sarah Schafer LCMS Disaster Response is urging volunteers to allow emergency responders time to do their jobs before traveling to the Gulf Coast to help with relief efforts. “It is vital to allow emergency responders such as medics, firemen and…
LCMS still bringing mercy to 2004 tsunami survivors
By Pamela J. Nielsen Nearly eight years after the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami claimed some 283,000 lives and countless livelihoods, LCMS Disaster Response continues to help those still affected by its deadly waves. The Synod disaster arm’s help keeps coming in…
NALC-LCMS reps discuss range of topics
By Adriane Dorr Fraternal discussions between representatives of the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) and The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod continued with a second meeting July 19-20 at the NALC headquarters in Hilliard, Ohio. The NALC is, according to its website,…
Ready now: Southern District prepares for Hurricane Isaac
By Sarah Schafer The LCMS Southern District is calling on support from LCMS districts and congregations as it prepares for Hurricane Isaac — expected to strike the Gulf Coast the evening of Tuesday, Aug. 28. The hurricane could drop 15 to 20…
LCMS releases $35,000 to assist Haiti, Dominican Republic
By Sarah Schafer The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod released $35,000 on Monday, Aug. 27, to assist relief efforts in Haiti and the Dominican Republic following Tropical Storm Isaac, which struck the island nations Aug. 25. The relief work will be carried…
'Isaac' slams Dominican Republic, Haiti; Lutherans tally damages
By Sarah Schafer LCMS partner churches in Haiti and the Dominican Republic report property damage, injuries and widespread flooding as a result of Tropical Storm Isaac. In Haiti, an already fragile country struggling to rebuild after the 2010 earthquake, four people lost…
Law firm fights atheists' suit over cross at 9/11 museum
(RNS) — A lawsuit that was filed by the group American Atheists to keep a revered cross out of the National September 11 Museum is being challenged by a conservative law firm that defends the public display of religious symbols. The…
Professor says he was fired over evangelical beliefs
(RNS) — A professor who was fired in July by the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) says the Atlanta consortium of black seminaries discriminated against his conservative Christian views. The Rev. Jamal-Dominique Hopkins, an African-American expert on the Dead Sea Scrolls, filed…
Report shows 5,000-plus 'multisite' churches
(RNS) — The number of congregations that host worship services at more than one physical location has grown to more than 5,000 in the last decade, according to a new report. Researchers say these “multisite” churches, which may share worshippers across…
Official notice: requests for reinstatement (September 2012)
KEITH CLARK FOX, San Antonio, Texas, has applied for reinstatement to the Ministers of Religion–Ordained roster of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. LISA GAYE LESSING (nee RADKE), St. Louis, Mo., SONJA RUPPEL, Palatine, Ill., and SHERRIE SMITH, Justice, Ill., have applied…
Call for nominations: president — LCMS Foundation (September 2012)
The Board of Trustees of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod Foundation herewith calls for nominations for the position of president of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod Foundation. The president reports to the Board of Trustees of the Foundation and relates to the…
Items wanted, available (September 2012)
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. Notices may be sent to Jennifer Duffy at…
