New This Week

Campus clips – Wellness, vocation, technology

Updates from LCMS colleges, universities and seminaries.

Finnish Lutherans declare fellowship with LCMS

The decision came during the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland’s annual meeting, held on Nov. 14, 2020.

New PALS resource especially for pastors’ wives

The resource, titled “Faith to Follow: Transition from the Call to the Church,” was written by Kate Meadows, a second-year pastor’s wife in South Dakota.

COP navigates ongoing impact of COVID-19

The LCMS Council of Presidents conducted its fourth meeting of 2020 (its third via Zoom video conference) on Nov. 16–18, with discussion of the pandemic’s impact on the church dominating the meeting.

BOD covers much ground in wide-ranging meeting

The Synod’s Board of Directors met via Zoom on Nov. 19.

LCMS Servant Events planned for 2021

After a summer interrupted by COVID-19 cancellations, LCMS Servant Event hosts are optimistically planning their events again for Summer 2021. 

National Lutheran Schools Week to reflect on challenges and growth

National Lutheran Schools Week will take place Jan. 24–30 under the theme “Sent to Serve.”

January ‘Witness’: Living a chaste and decent life

Chastity is not simply about “waiting for marriage,” but about the entire life of the believer.

State of the Synod goes online in 2020

The State of the Synod content has taken on a new delivery form this year, available to a wider online audience at the LCMS website.

Photo essay: A photographer’s look back at 2020

LCMS Managing Photojournalist Erik M. Lunsford shares some of 2020’s definitive moments.

NLSA selects Dinger for School Shepherd Award

The Rev. Jonathan Dinger, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church and School in Pocatello, Idaho, was selected by National Lutheran School Accreditation to receive the 2020 NLSA School Shepherd Award.

From the mission field – Dominican Republic, Latvia

Updates about LCMS mission work around the world.

Photo essay: Campus ministry: Gospel light in a dark world

The Rev. Michael Schuermann, pastor of University Lutheran, is at work amid ever-changing circumstances on this campus, serving students, faculty, staff and members of the community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

‘Take Heart’ retreats uplift, refresh pastors during COVID-19

The LCMS Office of National Mission is partnering with DOXOLOGY on a series of retreats to help pastors and the souls in their care rest in the Gospel.

Council of Presidents encourages Harrison to invite congregational vote on convention delay

Due to ongoing effects of the pandemic, the LCMS Council of Presidents voted unanimously to encourage LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison to put before congregations a proposal to delay the 2022 Synod convention.

Serina accepts call to CTCR

The Rev. Dr. Richard J. Serina Jr., who will serve as associate executive director of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations, replaces the Rev. Dr. Larry Vogel, who retired earlier this year.