The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod will continue to reach out with mercy even in the wake of the church body’s restructuring, said LCMS President-elect Rev. Matthew C. Harrison at a July 21 meeting with LCMS World Relief and Human Care (WR-HC)…

Chaplain Rodger R. Venzke, U.S. Army (Ret.), received the silver St. Martin of Tours medal July 14 in Houston.  The award, presented by LCMS World Mission’s Ministry to the Armed Forces, is given to military personnel for exceptionally meritorious service.…

By Joe Isenhower Jr. NEW ORLEANS — The 2010 National LCMS Youth Gathering (NYG) here July 17-21 no doubt left countless impressions on its 24,000 participants. A number of those youth and adults shared with Reporter what it meant to…

Through the week of the Synod’s national convention, congregations and their members contributed $614,000 to the 2010 National Offering in support of LCMS ministries. In an oversized postcard to be mailed to donors and congregations Aug. 15, Synod President Dr.…

Two Higher Things Lutheran youth conferences earlier this summer drew nearly 1,800 young people and their chaperones to campuses in Logan, Utah, and Nashville, Tenn.  Higher Things — an LCMS Recognized Service Organization — sponsored its 14th and 15th conferences…

Outgoing Synod President Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick says that, although at age 67 he is “old enough to retire” when he leaves office Sept. 1, retiring “is the farthest thing from my mind.” He and his wife, Terry, plan to…

Using a historic gavel bearing the images of the first Missouri Synod President, Dr. C.F.W. Walther, and Reformer Dr. Martin Luther, current LCMS President Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick opened the 64th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod on Sunday,…

(RNS) — Anglican leaders meeting in London have rejected a move to “separate” the Episcopal Church from the wider Anglican Communion, a proposal that officials called premature and “unhelpful.” The proposal was offered July 24 by Dato Stanley Isaacs, a…

JERUSALEM (RNS/ENInews) — Concerns about pollution and water quality have prompted an environmental advocacy group to call for the banning of baptisms in the lower Jordan River, where the Bible says Jesus was baptized. “For reasons of public health as…

TRENTON, N.J. (RNS) — Supporters of gay marriage said they would press on with their fight despite the New Jersey Supreme Court’s decision not to hear a case in which six same-sex couples asked for the right to marry. “We…

(RNS) — Rev. Matthew Harrison defeated a three-term incumbent to become president of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) on July 13, fueled by the support of his denomination’s more conservative wing. Harrison, 48, will lead a 2.4-million member denomination with…

STUTTGART, Germany (RNS/ENInews) — A U.S. Lutheran bishop on July 21 appealed to members of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) to hold together and avoid splits in the face of differences over issues of sexuality. “It is not the time…

WASHINGTON (RNS) — New polls in California indicate public opinion on same-sex marriage may be changing toward acceptance, and religion continues to play a large role in the change. A poll released July 21 by Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI)…

Rev. Matthew C. Harrison, president-elect of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS), has named the following to new positions, effective Sept. 1: Rev. Jon D. Vieker, senior assistant to the president. Vieker currently serves as assistant director of the LCMS Commission on Worship.…

NEW ORLEANS–“We Believe,” the 11th triennial National LCMS Youth Gathering, will contribute some $42 million to local revenues here, according to figures released by the city’s convention and visitors bureau. The Gathering, which is the Synod’s single largest event, brings…