By Paula Schlueter Ross Mark Couser, 26, has been working with the Lutheran Inner-City Network Coalition (LINC) North Texas, in Dallas-Fort Worth, for the past five years, helping to train church planters and other leaders. He’s “felt the call to…

Although its punch was less than feared, Hurricane Gustav nevertheless downed countless trees and branches, damaged thousands of homes, and cut ogustav-keim-house.gifff electricity to 1.4 million households in Louisiana after hitting the coast Sept. 1. Particularly hard hit was Baton…

For the first time, both LCMS seminaries are offering their Greek courses online. Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is offering its Greek course “live” on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Central Time, beginning Sept. 20. “Based on the success…

St. Louis-area viewers can tune in to their local NBC affiliate station — KSDK, NewsChannel 5 — at 8 p.m. Sept. 11 to watch a new half-hour documentary about Concordia Publishing House. The program, “Concordia Publishing — It’s Your House,” paints a picture…

Chaplain Eric Erkkinen of Fort Knox, Ky., began work Sept. 1 as associate director of the Synod’s Ministry to the Armed Forces. Erkkinen, 56, succeeds Chaplain Theodore Wuerffel, who has served in the post for a little more than three…

Although its punch was less than feared, Hurricane Gustav nevertheless downed countless trees and branches, damaged thousands of homes, and cut off electricity to 1.4 million households in Louisiana after hitting the coast Sept. 1. Particularly hard hit was Baton…

Concordia Plan Services (CPS) is rewarding Concordia Health Plan (CHP) members who complete the online CareAllies Health Assessment between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31 with a $75 “Be Well … Serve Well” Rewards Visa Debit Card. This new incentive is…

Dr. O.H. Cloeter, who served as president of the Synod’s Minnesota South District for 13 years, died Aug. 30 in Minneapolis.  He was 88. A funeral service was held Sept. 3 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Faribault, Minn. Dr. Cloeter served as…

Jake, Megan, Hannah, Colin, and Mitch are five high-school seniors from Warsaw, Ind., and their story is coming to a multiplex screen near you. “American Teen,” a PG-13-rated documentary from director Nanette Burstein, follows the lives of the five students and…

This fall’s Church Planting and Gospel Outreach through Child Care Ministry Conference sponsored by the Open Arms Institute will be hosted by a congregation that’s “a classic example of the Open Arms concept in action, resulting in a new congregation…

For more details about the preliminary proposals and “possibilities” recommended by the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance, click here to see the document titled “Walking Together — The LCMS Future: Proposals and Possibilities for Consideration and Discussion.”…

By Roland Lovstad A revised 2008-09 budget, purchase of management software, and approval for a library addition at the Fort Wayne seminary were among actions by the LCMS Board of Directors at its meeting Aug. 21-22 in St. Louis.  The…

By Joe Isenhower Jr. Strengthening congregations’ mission and ministry is a major point of preliminary proposals offered by the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance.  (See Structure, governance task force proposals.) Made public at the end of…

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. Available The Organist Portfolio, two-to-three years’ worth of…

JOE C. FAIRCHILD, Virginia Beach, Va., and QUENTIN M. GENKE, Greensboro, N.C., have applied for reinstatement to the Minister of Religion-Ordained roster of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. BARBARA A. PAAPE, Sheboygan, Wis., has applied for reinstatement to the Minister of…