Official Notice: Call for Nominations — CUS president

The Concordia University System (CUS) Board of Directors is seeking nominations for the position of president, Concordia University System. The president is accountable to the CUS Board of Directors and presents a formal annual report to the Audit Committee of…

Official Notice: 2013 Convention Nominations

Synod bylaw provisions require the secretary of the Synod to solicit on behalf of the Committee for Convention Nominations nominees for the various positions for which the committee must provide slates of candidates for convention elections. General solicitation for such…

LCMS offers support, prayers for flood victims in Philippines

By Elizabeth M. TruongThe official death toll has climbed to 1,000 people and many are still missing after Tropical Storm Washi struck the Philippine island of Mindanao in the early morning of Dec. 17. Some 40,000 people have been evacuated…

Pressure Points (January 2012)

With Dr. Bruce Hartung Several readers responded to last month’s “Pressure Points,” which is online at http:reporter.lcms.org/?19421.  The first response below is from the anonymous writer who asked the question that began the discussion in the December column. R: I…

Items wanted, available (January 2012)

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. Notices may be sent to Karen Higgins at…

A Statement Regarding Discussions with NALC

Our initial dialogue with NALC representatives has been a rather joyous surprise. Bishop Bradosky and the men who joined him in our time together have been profoundly molded by the cross and years of suffering as their former church body slipped further and further from the Word of God.

Why do we spend money on happiness we can't afford?

(RNS) — James A. Roberts was watching an ABC News Nightline episode on basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal recently when he heard about the size of the retired player’s Florida home: 70,000 square feet. Even for a man who spends his…

Supreme Court upholds NYC ban on churches in schools

NEW YORK (RNS) — The U.S. Supreme Court on Dec. 5 let stand a lower court ruling that bars congregations from using space in New York City schools for after-hours worship services. The decision appears to end a legal saga…

Religious freedom panel prepares to close

WASHINGTON (RNS) — A federal watchdog panel that monitors religious freedom around the world is preparing to shut down unless Congress passes a last-minute measure to save it. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has narrowly dodged closure…

Advent a make-or-break chance for churches, visitors

(RNS) — Deck the halls and cue the pageant! Advent has arrived in American churches, which means the lapsed and the curious who seldom darken the door just might drop by for a taste of the season’s spirit. But if…

LCMS, NALC leaders release statement on talks

Representatives of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod and the North American Lutheran Church released a statement Dec. 16 about their discussions Dec. 15-16 in St. Louis. The statement follows. An initial discussion was held on 15-16 December 2011 between representatives of…

Grimenstein is new disaster-response manager

The Rev. Dr. Edward Grimenstein has been named as manager of Disaster Response for the LCMS Office of International Mission. In the new position, Grimenstein will support congregations and districts with disaster planning, training and assistance. He will report to…

Resources ready for 'Schools Week'

Lutheran schools and their sponsoring congregations may order a variety of resources from LCMS School Ministry and Concordia Publishing House to promote “National Lutheran Schools Week” (NLSW), set for March 4-10, 2012. This year’s theme, “Securing Each Child’s Future —…

Prison/jail-ministry conference seeks presenters

Presenters are needed to lead sectionals at the second synodwide “Training and Equipping Conference for Prison and Jail Ministry,” planned for Sept. 29-30 in St. Louis. The conference is designed to acquaint participants with “proven models of pastoral and lay prison…

COP considers church-planting in 'unchurched terrain'

By James Heine At its meeting Nov. 15-17 in Raleigh, N.C., The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod Council of Presidents (COP) continued its ongoing conversation about the church in a post-church culture. The council heard from the Rev. Bill Beyer and the Rev. Mike…

On planting congregations: advice from Beyer, Merker

The Rev. Bill Beyer, pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Clayton, N.C., and the Rev. Mike Merker, pastor of Jordan Lutheran Church, Apex, N.C., shared the following church-planting ideas with the LCMS Council of Presidents at its Nov. 15-17 meeting…