Jan. 24 is 38th 'March for Life'

There’s still time to join the 38th “March for Life,” Jan. 24 in Washington, D.C.  The annual event protests the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion and attests to the value of human life. Events for Lutherans include a…

Board OKs upgrades to Classic99.com streaming

By Joe Isenhower Jr. NASHVILLE, Tenn. — At its Nov. 17-19 meeting here, the Synod’s Board of Directors gave conditional approval for providing $193,000 through mid-2012 for the LCMS not only to continue but to improve the way it provides…

New book explores topic of natural law

A new book from Concordia Publishing House explores the topic of natural law through 15 essays written by American and German theologians representing five different Lutheran church bodies: The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Evangelical…

Survey: Internet becoming pastors' main info source

By Roland Lovstad While print editions of Reporter and The Lutheran Witness continue to be their main sources, a recent survey of active LCMS pastors indicates nearly as many prefer using Internet connections for gathering news and information about the…

LCEF conference targets 'oneness,' partnerships

By Joe Isenhower Jr. NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Participants say they have a new sense of “oneness” and are better equipped for faith-sharing after the Lutheran Church Extension Fund’s 2010 Fall Leadership Conference here Nov. 19-21. “That all of them may…

Sem's Kantorei announces winter tour

The Kantorei of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind., will present its winter tour of “Epiphany Lessons and Carols” Jan. 1-16 in 10 Midwestern cities. The 16-member choir, composed of men studying to become pastors, was founded in 1978 by…

Celebrating Christmas before Dec. 25? Bah humbug!

(RNS) — It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas — earlier and earlier every year. The evergreens at Rockefeller Center and the White House were decorated in November, radio stations started playing carols after Halloween, and stores have been…

Study: Religious people happier when share pews with friends

(RNS) — Close friendships among congregants — rather than theology — seem to be the key to happiness among religious people, according to a new study. One-third of Americans who attend religious services weekly and have three to five close…

Harrison, faith leaders rally behind traditional marriage

LCMS President Rev. Matthew C. Harrison is among a rare coalition of more than two dozen religious leaders who signed a public letter promoting marriage as “the faithful union of one man and one woman.” Leaders of Catholic, evangelical, Orthodox…

German Christians fight for right to home-school

FRANKFURT, Germany (RNS) — After police barged into the Busekros family home in Bavaria, the family’s 15-year-old daughter, Melissa, was placed in a psychiatric facility, and later long-term foster care. The police, the girl said, told her she had been…

Foundation offers tips for end-of-year giving

The LCMS Foundation thanks those who have supported LCMS ministries this year and offers these tips for making end-of-year, tax-deductible gifts to the Synod: Stock certificate or cash gifts that are mailed should have a U.S. Postal Service postmark of…

Krey to succeed Groh as World Mission regional director

In a Dec. 3 e-mail to LCMS employees, Rev. David Birner, director of international mission for LCMS World Mission, announced staff changes in LCMS World Mission. In the e-mail, Birner announced that: Rev. Theodore “Ted” Krey, LCMS missionary and church…

Synod leaders to discuss 'harmony' report

By Joe Isenhower Jr.  NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Members of the Task Force on Synodical Harmony and representatives of the Synod president’s office will meet to discuss the task force’s final report, including possible ways to mesh recommended strategies for harmony…

LWML offers free Christmas Mustard Seed devotions

“The Joy of Christmas,” a new set of Mustard Seed devotions that focus on the Advent, Christmas and Epiphany seasons, is now available free via e-mail subscription from the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. The new Mustard Seed collection, which debuted…

Symposia Series focuses on scriptural foundations

Theologians, scholars and laypeople are invited to attend the 2011 Symposia Series sponsored by Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. The theme for the 26th Annual Symposium on Exegetical Theology, Jan. 18-19, is “Israel and the New Israel: Learning about Church…

Dunning to fill top post at HKIS

Kevin M. Dunning of Las Vegas has accepted an appointment to serve as head of school for Hong Kong International School (HKIS), beginning in July.  Owned and operated by the LCMS, HKIS offers an American, Christian education to students in…