LCMS, ELCA continue 'cooperation in externals' talks

By Joe Isenhower Jr. BALTIMORE — Leaders of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) reported similar developments in their church bodies — including reorganization of both national staffs to bring about efficiencies, heard…

New book traces life of Rosa Young

African-American Lutheran educator Dr. Rosa Young was in her 20s when she decided to open her own school in the rural south in the early 1900s. Actually, at that time, Young wasn’t even Lutheran.  But famed African-American educator Booker T.…

Sem plans Hispanic-ministry events

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is offering several Hispanic-ministry events in March under the theme “Second- and Third-Generation Hispanics in the U.S. — Questions and Implications for the Church.” The Second Hispanic Theological Consultation and the Sixth Annual Lecture in Hispanic/Latino…

LWML offers witnessing resources

The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League has produced several resources that are designed to “help women become more comfortable with sharing the hope they have because of Jesus Christ.” Those resources include: * “Faith Talk” ($20, plus shipping, item no. 14995),…

ALOA announces Lutherhostels

The Association of Lutheran Older Adults is sponsoring three Lutherhostels designed to provide “education, inspiration and relaxation” to adults age 50 and older. The events are set for: March 6-9 at the Canterbury Retreat Center in Oviedo, Fla. (near Orlando),…

Seminary offers workshop on 'Making Abortion Unthinkable'

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, will offer a one-day workshop, “Making Abortion Unthinkable,” on Saturday, Jan. 29.  The workshop will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 2:30 p.m.  It is open to adults and older teenagers. The workshop will be…

Harrison accepts call to congregation as assistant pastor

By James Heine In addition to his regular duties as Synod president, Rev. Matthew C. Harrison has accepted a call to serve as an assistant pastor at Village Lutheran Church, Ladue, Mo. Harrison informed the Synod’s district presidents of his…

Children's Ministry Conference set for July

This year’s LCMS National Children’s Ministry Conference is set for July 7-10 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Orange, Calif. Its theme is “Sandals to Sneakers,” based on Luke 2:52 — “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor…

World Mission announces 'Ablaze!' awards

LCMS World Mission has announced this year’s recipients of the seventh annual Ablaze! Awards: The LCMS Texas District and its president, Rev. Ken Hennings, received the 2010 Executive Director’s Ablaze! Award “for exemplifying a heart for sharing the Gospel with…

CTCR approves fellowship with Siberian church

By Roland Lovstad Recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship with the Siberian Evangelical Lutheran Church (SELC) and a document on theological criteria for assessing cooperative endeavors among other Christians and church bodies were approved by the Commission on Theology and…

Official Notice — Requests for Reinstatement (January 2011)

GREGG HEIN, Billings, Mont., has applied for reinstatement to the Ministers of Religion–Ordained roster of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. PAMELA ARGUTO, Pueblo West, Colo.; JOYCE D. BLOMKER, Willmar, Minn.; DAVID HENTZEN, Idaho Falls, Idaho; BONNIE ELAINE KARNER, St. Louis, Mo.,…

Positions (January 2011)

The following institutions of the Concordia University System are seeking candidates for positions: Concordia University, Ann Arbor, Mich., seeks to fill the following positions: assistant director of Student Success and Retention; director of Academic Support Services; Career Services director; institutional…

Items wanted, available (January 2011)

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 Theological Monthly: all issues for 1926 through…

Pressure Points (January 2011)

With Dr. Bruce Hartung Q: I’m a not-quite 30, pretty tech-savvy pastor who makes abundant use of social media sites like Facebook.  I’ve been troubled by recent lack of common-sense etiquette I’m seeing from fellow professional church workers. After offering…

Letters to the Editor (January 2011)

A sleeping giant? The December 15, 2010, Reporter news article, “LCEF conference targets ‘oneness,’ partnerships,” reported: Rev. Ken Klaus, who retired Dec. 31 as speaker of “The Lutheran Hour,” discussed the church’s priorities, including unity, during his keynote. He recalled…

Harrison sends appeal about 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

LCMS President Rev. Matthew C. Harrison sent the following e-mail message to LCMS pastors and commissioned ministers Dec. 17 in response to the U.S. Senate’s pending vote on the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy:   “In a surprising turn of…