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: 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…
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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
Grimenstein is new disaster-response manager
The Rev. Dr. Edward Grimenstein has been named as manager of Disaster Response for the LCMS Office of International Mission. In the new position, Grimenstein will support congregations and districts with disaster planning, training and assistance. He will report to…
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 —…
COP considers church-planting in 'unchurched terrain'
By James Heine At its meeting Nov. 15-17 in Raleigh, N.C., The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod Council of Presidents (COP) continued its ongoing conversation about the church in a post-church culture. The council heard from the Rev. Bill Beyer and the Rev. Mike…
On planting congregations: advice from Beyer, Merker
The Rev. Bill Beyer, pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Clayton, N.C., and the Rev. Mike Merker, pastor of Jordan Lutheran Church, Apex, N.C., shared the following church-planting ideas with the LCMS Council of Presidents at its Nov. 15-17 meeting…
Baltic Lutherans give thanks, share need, for theological education
By Adriane Dorr Hearing the stories of Lutheran pastors caring for their flocks in the Baltic region has been “personally heartwarming,” says the Rev. Dr. Timothy C. Quill, director of theological education for The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod and a professor at Concordia Theological…
Seminaries offer Lent-related workshops
Both LCMS seminaries are offering Lent-related workshops for pastors in January. Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, has planned a pre-Lenten workshop, “Seeing is Not Believing: The Passion Story in Mark,” for Jan. 20. In a news release about the workshop, the seminary notes…
Fort Wayne sem readies annual symposia
Concordia Theological Seminary will present its annual symposia on exegetical and confessional theology Jan. 17-20 on its campus in Fort Wayne, Ind., and in a live webcast. The theme for the Exegetical Theology Symposium, Jan. 17-18, is “In Search of Jesus:…
