In a Sept. 10 memo to the LCMS Council of Presidents (COP), Synod President Gerald B. Kieschnick advises COP members to “consider and heed counsel” on five points “as you approach and engage in joint work with members of the…

By Joe Isenhower Jr. The International Lutheran Council (ILC), an association of 34 confessional Lutheran church bodies (including the LCMS) from six continents, has unanimously adopted a statement emphasizing commitment to the Bible’s position on homosexual behavior. The action was…

After 14 years of war, it has taken four Lutheran church bodies in Liberia, West Africa, just two years to come together and form the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Liberia. “At the meeting two years ago when they promised each…

Concordia Publishing House has released a DVD-based Bible study that focuses on communication and teamwork in the marriage relationship. The Power of We: God’s Gift of Marriage, designed for use in premarital and early marriage counseling or as a marriage…

Research indicates that as older adults age, they actually feel progressively younger. The first issue of a new electronic newsletter from LCMS District and Congregational Services — Family Ministry explores this phenomenon and what it means for ministry with older people in…

Chaplain Ernest F. Wentzel, 80, former director of the Synod’s Ministry to the Armed Forces, died of a heart attack Aug. 31 in Maryville, Ill.  A funeral service was held Sept. 4 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Collinsville, Ill.…

Registration for the 2010 National LCMS Youth Gathering, with the theme of “We Believe,” is now open. To begin the process and find step-by-step instructions on registration, congregations may log onto the Gathering Web site at www.lcmsgathering.com.  For more information…

Rev. John Sundaram, who was president of the India Evangelical Lutheran Church (IELC) from 1980 to 1985, died Sept. 5 of a heart attack. He was 69. A funeral service was held the following day in Ambur, India. At the…

Responses from delegates at the 2009 LCMS district conventions will be used by the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance to further refine its proposals for restructure prior to completing its final report, due in the Office…

Concordia Publishing House has announced that the hardback edition of The Lutheran Study Bible is available for purchase — five weeks earlier than scheduled — with the leather editions available by the end of September.  Pre-ordering sale prices are still…

Lutheran Hour Ministries has announced that follow-up training for its “Equipping to Share” witnessing workshop is available online.  The online site includes additional materials such as Scripture references, resources for further study, training articles, tips for sharing one’s faith, and…

“Bach at the Sem,” featuring presentations of J.S. Bach’s music by The American Kantorei, under the direction of Robert Bergt, is beginning its 18th season at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. All of the concerts will take place on Sunday afternoons…

By Linda C. Hoops Two schools operated by LCMS congregations have been named “Blue Ribbon Schools” for 2009 — the highest honor that the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) gives to individual schools each year. They are St. Paul’s Lutheran…

Created in God’s image or evolved from a lower species?  Living in the promise of God’s eternal care or survival of the fittest? Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, will address questions such as these at an Oct. 9-10 conference titled…

Dr. Howard E. Mueller, a long-time Health Ministries leader in the Synod, died of pneumonia Sept. 11 in St. Louis. A memorial service was held Sept. 22 in the chapel at Laclede Groves, a retirement facility in Webster Groves, Mo., a…

Barbara Huggins of Glendale, Mo., has been appointed by the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League as its new archivist-historian.  She succeeds Peggi Lawrence of Eureka, Calif., who retired after serving in the post since 1993. Huggins has served for many years…