New This Week

September ‘Witness’: Thinking about your funeral

The September issue of The Lutheran Witness explores the Lutheran funeral in depth.

From the mission field – Teacher training in Hong Kong

Updates on LCMS mission work around the world.

Campus clips – New resources, expanded programs

News from LCMS universities and seminaries.

New missionaries complete first week of orientation

The session was geared toward preparing the missionaries for the first part of their work: visiting congregations and building a network of support.

Impact of Hurricane Ida continues days after landfall

In the days since the Category 4 storm made landfall and continued inland across the Southern and Eastern United States, it is estimated to have caused at least 65 deaths and more than $50 billion in damages.

Youth workers and leaders meet in Houston

LCMS Youth Ministry hosted the triennial National Lutheran Youth Workers Conference (#NATIONAL21), and YouthLead (formerly Lutheran Youth Fellowship) met for its annual retreat in Houston July 11-14.

New gift-matching opportunities for first-time givers

In addition to the first-time gift matches, two additional gift-match opportunities are open to all, both first-time contributors and those who already have a record of giving.

PALS facilitators gather for learning, support

PALS, or Post-Seminary Applied Learning and Support, is an ongoing effort of the LCMS Office of Pastoral Education to help new pastors and their wives transition from seminary through the first three years of ministry.

LCMS missionaries displaced by Ethiopia flooding

The seminary of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) in Addis Ababa was also severely damaged, and several people died.

‘To live is Christ’: Pohjola consecrated as bishop of Finnish Lutheran Church

The consecration took place amid persecution from the Finnish government stemming from Pohjola’s endorsement of a 2004 booklet written by Dr. Päivi Räsänen, a medical doctor and longstanding member of the Finnish parliament.

Suicide prevention resources focus on biblical response

National Suicide Prevention Week is Sept. 5–11, and World Suicide Prevention Day is Sept. 10.

After a pandemic year, CUS heads back to school

After a year of cancellations, postponements and multiple adjustments in classroom and campus life, CUS students are anticipating a more typical academic year.

August ‘Witness’: Church workers needed

In the August issue of LW, the Rev. Dr. James Baneck, executive director of the LCMS Office of Pastoral Education, explains why and how the Church Worker Recruitment Initiative will be vital to the work of the LCMS.

Haiti suffers 7.2 magnitude earthquake

LCMS World Relief and Human Care Disaster Response has begun to evaluate and respond to the situation.

Concordia Deaconess Conference celebrates 40 years

The organization was not able to observe its 40th anniversary last year due to the pandemic, so chose instead to commemorate the anniversary at this year’s conference.