Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, announced May 21 that Dr. Lawrence R. Rast Jr. will serve as its 17th president. Rast, 48, currently serves the seminary as academic dean and professor of American Christianity and American Lutheranism.  He will succeed…

By Kim Plummer Krull Two children, ages 6 and 8, from a member family at First Lutheran Church in nearby Neosho, Mo., are among 132 confirmed deaths from the devastating twister that ripped through Joplin, Mo., on May 22.  The…

To celebrate the 130th anniversary of the Synod’s official periodical, The Lutheran Witness, Concordia Publishing House — responsible for production, printing and distribution of the magazine — is offering new readers a reduced subscription price. The magazine, founded in 1882,…

LCMS President Rev. Matthew C. Harrison has received two honorary doctorates: a Doctor of Laws from Concordia University, Ann Arbor, Mich., during the university’s May 7 commencement ceremony. a Doctor of Divinity during the May 20 commencement at Concordia Theological…

By Kim Plummer Krull Lillie Lightford desperately wants to return to the mobile home where she and her sons lived in Huntsville, Ala., before a tornado peeled off the roof and rain drenched her possessions. Rich Stimson probably shouldn’t sleep…

Concordia Theological Seminary (CTS), Fort Wayne, will introduce its 17th president May 21 at 11 a.m. Eastern Time — both in the Student Commons on campus and via a live webcast. Joining the seminary’s president-elect will be LCMS President Dr.…

Ruth Henrichs, president and CEO of Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, will take part in a live, nationwide conference call hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama and White House Faith-Based Director Joshua DuBois for faith and community leaders to discuss…

The call is out for children’s art and one-minute video clip testimonials for the LCMS Children’s Ministry Conference July 7-10 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Orange, Calif. The planning committee for that conference is calling for donations of artwork…

The Synod’s official periodicals, Reporter and The Lutheran Witness, were honored in April by the Associated Church Press (ACP) — winning a combined total of five awards for work published in 2010. Founded in 1916, the ACP is the oldest…

By Kim Plummer Krull Floodwaters rose so quickly that one member family of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Golconda, Ill., barely had time to grab some clothing before joining rescuers in a motorboat. “This is the worst flooding since 1937,” said…

Synod congregations’ youth groups are being invited to plan a “Servant Saturday” in June to mark “Youth Ministry Month” in the LCMS. A news release from LCMS Youth Ministry notes that it joins Lutheran Youth Fellowship in recognizing “that young…

Rev. Leopoldo Vigil, an early leader in Hispanic ministry for the LCMS Texas District, died April 3 from complications of coronary disease at his home in Harlingen, Texas.  He was 78. He graduated from the Hispanic Institute in Mexico City…

By Roland Lovstad While print editions of Reporter and The Lutheran Witness continue to be their main sources, a recent survey of active LCMS pastors indicates nearly as many prefer using Internet connections for gathering news and information about the…

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is committing up to $275,000 for tornado disaster response for those affected by the epic tornado outbreak that ripped through four southern states April 27. The Thrivent commitment includes funds that will be sent to LCMS…

Seven LCMS schools were selected in March to receive the National Lutheran School Accreditation’s (NLSA) “exemplary status” recognition out of the 90 schools that it accredited or re-accredited in 2010. The schools are: Concordia University Early Childhood Education Center, River…

WASHINGTON (RNS) — The U.S. Navy reversed course May 10 on plans to allow chaplains to officiate at same-sex marriage ceremonies once the military’s ban on openly gay members is repealed. Rear Adm. Mark Tidd, the Navy chief of chaplains,…