LCMS churches and members in Kansas, southern Missouri and Illinois seem to have escaped major damages in a deadly Feb. 28-29 storm that killed 12 people and injured more than 100 others. The Rev. Glenn Merritt, director of LCMS Disaster Response,…
National Mission grant funds 700 audio Bibles
A $35,000 grant from the Synod’s Office of National Mission to Lutheran Blind Mission (LBM) is being used to purchase and distribute 700 digital audio Bibles. The Talking Bibles are “very blind-friendly,” according to the Rev. Dave Andrus, LBM executive director,…
Mahnken joins CPS as chief marketing officer
Glenn Mahnken, former senior vice-president of marketing and customer support with the Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF), has joined Concordia Plan Services (CPS) as its chief marketing officer. In his new post, he is responsible for the oversight of CPS education,…
Karner spotlights 'real issue' behind controversial mandate
By Kim Plummer Krull LCMS Life and Health Ministries Director Maggie Karner said she hopes her participation in a Feb. 27 panel discussion in Washington, D.C., helps spotlight what she calls the “real issue” behind the controversial mandate recently issued by…
COP commends Harrison, issues resolution of support
By James Heine ST. LOUIS — At its regular meeting Feb. 18-21, The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod Council of Presidents (COP) commended Synod President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison for the statements he made in response to the recent United States Department of…
Harrison calls for prayers in Lenten video
LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison shares Lenten blessings through a video message to the church where he encourages believers to use Martin Luther’s method of praying: instruction, thanksgiving, confession and prayer, or “ITCP.” He encourages church members to lift…
Karner to address religious freedom concerns in Washington
By Kim Plummer Krull LCMS Life and Health Ministries Director Maggie Karner will participate in a panel discussion Feb. 27 in Washington, D.C., spotlighting what many Americans call religious-liberty violations in the wake of the recent government mandate on health insurance…
Sparks fly as House GOP blasts contraception mandate
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Exhibit A in the fight over President Obama’s mandate for religious institutions to provide insurance coverage for contraception: a ham sandwich. At a hearing Feb. 16 convened by House Republicans to cast opposition to the mandate as a…
N.J. lawmakers approve gay marriage, but veto looms
TRENTON, N.J. (RNS) — Even as Gov. Chris Christie’s threat of a “swift” veto looms, gay-rights activists are celebrating after the state Assembly voted on Feb. 16 on a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in New Jersey. With supporters imploring lawmakers…
British High Court rules against prayer at town meetings
LONDON (RNS) — A British High Court justice has triggered dismay and anger across England and Wales with a recent decision that declares prayers at town hall meetings are against the law. Justice Duncan Ouseley ruled Feb. 10 that local government…
Southern Baptists mull whether 'Southern' still fits
FAIRHOPE, Ala. (RNS) — For the Rev. Jerry Henry, pastor of First Baptist Church of Fairhope, being Southern Baptist is a defining aspect of life. He embraces the denomination’s conservative social values, extols its evangelism — “We reach out to people…
Nonprofit groups oppose change in charitable deductions
WASHINGTON (RNS) — For the fourth year in a row, President Obama is proposing lower tax deductions for the wealthy on donations to churches and other nonprofit organizations. And for the fourth year in a row, nonprofit groups say the…
Southern Illinois District elects Scharr
The Rev. Timothy J. Scharr of Aviston, Ill., was elected on the first ballot to his first full three-year term as president of the LCMS Southern Illinois District during the district’s Feb. 16-18 convention in O’Fallon, Ill. Scharr, 54, had filled…
LCMS reaches out after Madagascar cyclone
LCMS ministry leaders have assured Lutheran leaders in Madagascar of disaster response assistance if such help is needed after Cyclone Giovanna pounded the African island nation Feb. 14. As damage assessments continue, at least 16 people are reported killed and more…
LCMS, Canadian Lutherans work together for Haiti
By Kim Plummer Krull Leaders of Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) and the LCMS call their first joint visit to Haiti a promising first step in bringing together Haitian Lutherans to strengthen theological education in a country with a severe pastor shortage. “Since the…
Events aim to engage rural congregations
By Roland Lovstad The Rev. Mark Nebel recalls that when he began serving his first call at a small congregation in Southern Illinois, there were no children in the worship services. “The mentality was ‘We’re too old, we’re too small,…
