Family network forms to link workers, provide resources

A new Lutheran Family Ministry Network (LFMN) is being formed to help family-ministry practitioners stay in touch and to help LCMS District and Congregational Services — Family Ministry develop resources for them, says Rev. Jeffery Schubert. Schubert, director of LCMS…

LCMS e-News adds two more newsletters

Two new publications are available via the free, Web-based LCMS e-News subscription service: “Mercy Notes,” produced by LCMS World Relief and Human Care, provides news, information and resources on government and social issues from a Lutheran perspective. “New LCMS Hymnal,”…

Pressure Points, with Dr. Bruce Hartung

Q: We have a pretty tense and difficult situation in our congregation.  One of our “best” members is also one of our most troublesome.  He is a relatively wealthy man who gives much money to our church.  He attends church…

February: Wanted, Available, Positions, Reinstatements

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 Christian Faith and Life, Cambodia-English booklet by…

Nominations: 2004 Synod Convention

The following are nominations for synodical offices, boards and commissions identified by synodical district.  Elections will occur during the July 10-15 convention in St. Louis.  The Committee for Convention Nominations expresses its appreciation to all who allowed their names to…

Pastor: Crash brings out the best in people

By Joe Isenhower Jr. Although a New Year’s Eve van crash in North Carolina took the life of a basketball player at a Centereach, N.Y., Lutheran school and injured others, its aftermath has “brought out the best in people,” says…

Lutherans join 'March for Life'

The temperature was warmer than usual and the mood upbeat, according to an organizer for 40 Missouri Synod Lutherans who joined 100,000-plus pro-life supporters for the Jan. 22 “March for Life” in Washington, D.C. This year’s march observed the 31st…

Board issues two new 'Briefs'

In two new installments of “Board Briefs,” the Synod’s Board of Directors continues to address questions related to the outside legal opinions regarding the Board’s authority that it obtained last year.  It also discusses “executive sessions” of the Board and…

Kieschnick sends new memo on Benke

LCMS President Gerald Kieschnick says that continuing questions related to participation of Atlantic District President David Benke in the post-Sept. 11, 2001, “A Prayer for America” at Yankee Stadium led him to send a recent memo to all Missouri Synod…

ALMA conference focuses on 'creating alliances'

Examples of how a successful mission “alliance” is formed — and explanations of why such alliances are necessary today — were shared at this year’s conference of the Association of Lutheran Mission Agencies (ALMA), Jan. 9-11 in St. Louis. The…

India seminary challenges grads to start own congregations

The India Evangelical Lutheran Church (IELC) today has more than 50 new and re-established congregations and preaching stations, thanks to a challenge issued three years ago asking seminary graduates to start their own churches. Graduates of Concordia Seminary in Nagercoil,…

Groh, Mehl begin work as missions directors

LCMS World Mission has filled two of its four new regional director positions.Dr. Jorge Groh and Rev. John Mehl began work in January as regional directors for Latin America and Eurasia, respectively.  Their responsibilities include working with LCMS mission partners…

Reddel receives chaplaincy award

Rev. Eugene L. Reddel, chief of chaplain service and clinical pastoral education supervisor for the Department of Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, has received the VA’s “Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Chaplaincy.” The award, the highest given to a VA…

European missionaries to attend U.S. institute

In their quest to make western Europe Ablaze! with the Gospel, missionaries from Lutheran church bodies in Germany and Slovakia are planning to attend the Missouri Synod’s Mission Planters Institute this month in Orlando, Fla. The institute, sponsored by the…

Lutherans open more 'outreach centers for blind'

Four more “outreach centers for the blind” — in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Daytona Beach, Fla.; Detroit, Mich.; and Maplewood, Mo. — have opened in recent months, bringing to 28 the number of centers opened Synodwide since 1999. The outreach centers,…

'Harvesters' training set for May

A training event to prepare workers for Harvesters for Christ is set for May 13-16 in St. Louis. Rev. Al Tormoehlen, director of the outreach program, said that Harvesters for Christ volunteers “have a passion for the lost and are…