'Golden Compass' resources available

What are Christians to make of “The Golden Compass,” the controversial new fantasy film based on the book of the same title by self-proclaimed atheist Philip Pullman?  Should they take their kids to see it? Two resources are available that…

Jan. 1 Rose Parade features Lutheran Hour float

“The Lutheran Hour” float was once again the only religious float in the Tournament of Roses Parade Jan. 1 in Pasadena, Calif.  This is the 58th year the float, hosted by the Southern California District of the International Lutheran Laymen’s…

Requests for reinstatement (January)

MICHAEL A. CROON, Niles, Ill., has applied for reinstatement to the Minister of Religion-Ordained roster of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.  WENDY BORCHERDING, Lincoln, Neb., and CAROL WALTHER, Collinsville, Ill., have applied for reinstatement to the Minister of Religion-Commissioned roster of…

Call for nominations: CTCR executive director

The LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) seeks nominations for executive director.  The executive director reports to the CTCR and is responsible for supervising the administration of the CTCR according to Commission decisions, delegating responsibilities according to Commission…

Positions (January)

LCMS Rocky Mountain District, Denver, Colo., seeks to fill the position of director of development.  The director of development will take the lead in developing and implementing an initiative in two areas.  First, he or she will cultivate both present…

Pressure Points (January)

With Dr. Bruce Hartung This installation of “Pressure Points” continues the dialogue from last month concerning whether I “missed the mark” with my reply in the October column to the pastor struggling with his parishioners’ disinterest in doctrine. Following the…

Letters to the Editor (January)

Enrollment and debt I read your article in the December issue regarding enrollment at Concordia University System schools. While it was encouraging to see the overall increase in student growth, I was most disappointed by the comments and even the…

Items wanted, available (January)

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 Unused workbook(s) titled Masterplan — Following God’s…

Seminaries to hold open-house events

This winter and spring, the Synod’s two seminaries are sponsoring open-house events for men and women — from high-school-age to adult — who are interested in pursuing church vocations. Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, has planned: “Taste of the Sem,” Jan.…

Thomas begins work as Pastoral Education director

Rev. Glen D. Thomas of St. Louis began serving Nov. 5 as executive director of the Synod’s Board for Pastoral Education. Thomas, 51, held a number of posts at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, over the last 18 years, most recently…

Seminaries offer free calendars

Both Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod seminaries are offering free 2008 wall calendars, featuring full-color photographs of their campuses. To request a calendar from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, contact Communications at (314) 505-7374 or communications@csl.edu. For a Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne,…

103 congregations pledge to plant churches

By Paula Schlueter Ross LCMS World Mission executive Rev. Yohannes Mengsteab is starting the new year happy and hopeful. Happy because 103 Missouri Synod congregations have completed orientation to become Ablaze! “Covenant Congregations,” pledging to start up to four “daughter”…

What’s a 'Covenant Congregation'?

Simply put, an Ablaze! Covenant Congregation is a congregation of any size that signs a covenant, or pledge, with its district and LCMS World Mission to start at least one church within the next 10 years. To request a free…

Presidential appointees join commissions, board

Four Synod commissions and one board with members appointed by Synod President Gerald B. Kieschnick have held their first meetings of the 2007-10 triennium, electing their chairmen and other officers for the next three years. Kieschnick appointed all 13 members…

TV special features world's spiritual leaders

A two-hour primetime television special, “In God’s Name,” featured interviews with a dozen religious leaders in “intimate settings,” such as their homes and places of worship.  The program aired Dec. 23 on CBS. Produced by French filmmakers Jules and Gedeon…

Fort Wayne seminary announces symposia

Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind., will present its annual symposia on exegetical and confessional theology Jan. 15-18. The four-day symposia includes: the 23rd Annual Symposium on Exegetical Theology, Jan. 15-16, which will discuss “Atonement for Sin in the Scriptures:…