By Elizabeth M. TruongThe official death toll has climbed to 1,000 people and many are still missing after Tropical Storm Washi struck the Philippine island of Mindanao in the early morning of Dec. 17. Some 40,000 people have been evacuated…
Pressure Points (January 2012)
With Dr. Bruce Hartung Several readers responded to last month’s “Pressure Points,” which is online at http:reporter.lcms.org/?19421. The first response below is from the anonymous writer who asked the question that began the discussion in the December column. R: I…
Official Notice: Call for Nominations — director of worship, IC chaplain
The Office of National Mission (ONM) is seeking nominations for the position of director of worship and IC chaplain. The director is accountable to the executive director of the ONM and reports to the Office of the LCMS President for…
Official Notice: Call for Nominations — CUS president
The Concordia University System (CUS) Board of Directors is seeking nominations for the position of president, Concordia University System. The president is accountable to the CUS Board of Directors and presents a formal annual report to the Audit Committee of…
Items wanted, available (January 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 Karen Higgins at…
Requests for Reinstatement (January 2012)
JAMES JEFFREY BAXTER, Missouri City, Texas, has applied for reinstatement to the Ministers of Religion–Ordained roster of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. BRENT A. SCHULTZ, Omaha, Neb., and JUANITA HILL-BELL, Miami, Fla., have applied for reinstatement to the Ministers of Religion–Commissioned…
Positions (January 2012)
The following institutions of the Concordia University System (CUS) are seeking candidates for positions: Concordia University, Ann Arbor, Mich., seeks to fill a faculty position in worship arts. Concordia University Texas, Austin, Texas, seeks to fill positions in human resources;…
Official Notice: 2013 Convention Nominations
Synod bylaw provisions require the secretary of the Synod to solicit on behalf of the Committee for Convention Nominations nominees for the various positions for which the committee must provide slates of candidates for convention elections. General solicitation for such…
A Statement Regarding Discussions with NALC
Our initial dialogue with NALC representatives has been a rather joyous surprise. Bishop Bradosky and the men who joined him in our time together have been profoundly molded by the cross and years of suffering as their former church body slipped further and further from the Word of God.
LCMS, NALC leaders release statement on talks
Representatives of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod and the North American Lutheran Church released a statement Dec. 16 about their discussions Dec. 15-16 in St. Louis. The statement follows. An initial discussion was held on 15-16 December 2011 between representatives of…
Why do we spend money on happiness we can't afford?
(RNS) — James A. Roberts was watching an ABC News Nightline episode on basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal recently when he heard about the size of the retired player’s Florida home: 70,000 square feet. Even for a man who spends his…
Supreme Court upholds NYC ban on churches in schools
NEW YORK (RNS) — The U.S. Supreme Court on Dec. 5 let stand a lower court ruling that bars congregations from using space in New York City schools for after-hours worship services. The decision appears to end a legal saga…
Advent a make-or-break chance for churches, visitors
(RNS) — Deck the halls and cue the pageant! Advent has arrived in American churches, which means the lapsed and the curious who seldom darken the door just might drop by for a taste of the season’s spirit. But if…
Religious freedom panel prepares to close
WASHINGTON (RNS) — A federal watchdog panel that monitors religious freedom around the world is preparing to shut down unless Congress passes a last-minute measure to save it. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has narrowly dodged closure…
Prison/jail-ministry conference seeks presenters
Presenters are needed to lead sectionals at the second synodwide “Training and Equipping Conference for Prison and Jail Ministry,” planned for Sept. 29-30 in St. Louis. The conference is designed to acquaint participants with “proven models of pastoral and lay prison…
Resources ready for 'Schools Week'
Lutheran schools and their sponsoring congregations may order a variety of resources from LCMS School Ministry and Concordia Publishing House to promote “National Lutheran Schools Week” (NLSW), set for March 4-10, 2012. This year’s theme, “Securing Each Child’s Future —…