May 2004

The Spirit and conventions Recently, you published a letter in which a pastor lamented the use of various election lists at the Synod convention (“Letters,” April ’04).  He asked why we cannot simply trust the Holy Spirit to guide us.  He…

Bronxville math team finishes in top 11 percent in contest

A three-student team from Concordia College, Bronxville, N.Y., finished in the top 11 percent among 599 teams participating in the 2004 Mathematical Contest in Modeling. The international competition is sponsored by the National Security Agency and the National Science Foundation.…

Kieschnick, Preus receive most nominations

The incumbent Synod president and first vice president have received the most nominations from LCMS congregations for election at this summer’s Synod convention to their respective current positions. Synod President Gerald Kieschnick received 1,244 nominations for re-election to his office, and…

May Positions

The Board of Governors of the International Lutheran Laymen’s League invites applications and nominations for the position of executive director, based at its Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) headquarters in St. Louis, Mo.  The executive director provides leadership to accomplish the…

Items wanted and available

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. Wanted Photographs and/or descendant names of Rev. C.H. Bernhard,…

Official Notice: LCMS Convention Floor Committees

Abbreviation KeyC –  Chairman; DP – District President; VOM – Voting Ordained Minister; VL –  Voting Layperson; AOM – Advisory Ordained Minister; ACM – Advisory Commissioned Minister; AL – Advisory Layperson. DISTRICT ABBREVIATIONS:AT – Atlantic; CI – Central Illinois; CNH – California- Nevada-Hawaii; EA – Eastern; EN…

New Web page provides digest of `Reporter` news

Beginning this month, a new Web page will feature a downloadable digest of the news from the current edition of Reporter. The free digest, which is scheduled to be posted no later than the 12th day of each month, also will…

May Pressure Points with Dr. Bruce Hartung

I have had several inquiries in recent months about pastors and counseling.  The following question is a composite of several of those. Q: How much counseling should a pastor do, and for how long?  When should he refer?  How does he…

Sam Goltermann dies; past president of Concordia, Austin

Dr. Samuel I. Goltermann, president of Concordia College (now University), Austin, Texas, from 1960 to 1963, and a former Synod staff member, died of an apparent heart attack April 24 at his home in St. Louis.   The funeral service was April …

CTCR adopts civic-events guidelines

By David L. Mahsman “Guidelines for Participation in Civic Events,” the product of an assignment sparked by questions raised following a post-9/11 event in New York’s Yankee Stadium, was completed and adopted last month by the Commission on Theology and Church…

Outside attorney`s letter responds to opposing lawyers

By Joe Isenhower Jr.  The Synod’s Board of Directors the week after Easter sent to every LCMS congregation a mailing that responds to letters from three attorneys who disagree with outside legal opinions obtained by the Board last year. The mailing…

Bush to speak at Mequon graduation

It was no April Fools joke when the university president sent an April 1 e-mail saying that President George W. Bush had accepted an invitation to deliver the spring commencement address May 14 at Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon. “We are delighted…

Lutherans respond to tornadoes

Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) and local Lutherans are helping those affected by a cluster of 19 tornadoes that ripped through northern Illinois April 21, killing eight people in Utica, about 90 miles southeast of Chicago. LDR is a cooperative program of the…

`Convention Workbook` mailed to delegates, church workers

The Convention Workbook 2004 and three supplemental books, all with the theme of “One Mission Ablaze,” were mailed the last week of April to convention delegates and to all rostered church workers in the Synod. Synod Secretary Raymond Hartwig said that…

`Lutheran Witness,` `Reporter` receive awards

Reporter and The Lutheran Witness, the Synod’s magazine, each won a first-place award and Reporter an “Honorable Mention” in this year’s Associated Church Press (ACP) competition for work done in 2003. The awards were presented April 20 in Toronto.  ACP is…

Irvine loses hoops title in close NAIA finals

In a rematch of last year’s title game, the men from Concordia University, Irvine, Calif., relinquished the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Division I basketball championship March 30 in Kansas City.  Mountain State University, Beckley, W.Va., edged Irvine 74-70 in…