A new Lutheran denominational body was born on Friday, Aug. 27, as Lutherans from throughout North America voted overwhelmingly and enthusiastically to form the North American Lutheran Church (NALC). The decision to form the new church body was made at the annual Convocation of Lutheran CORE which attracted more than 1,100 Lutherans Thursday and Friday [...]
Finally, a less spun news report on churches leaving the ELCA. Lutheran churches in Philip, Midland and Long Valley voted Sunday by large margins to leave the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for the newly created North American Lutheran Church. First Lutheran Church in Philip, Trinity Lutheran in Midland and Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in [...]
Time November 9 at 4:00pm – November 10 at 10:00am Location Concordia Theological Seminary 6600 North Clinton Street Fort Wayne, IN About This year’s Advent Preaching Seminar will examine the Advent sermons of three German theologian/preachers: Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Helmut Thielicke, and Gerhard Ebeling. Drawing on their work, suggested outlines and illustrations will be offered for [...]
A Pastoral Letter to Pastors of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod From President Jerry Kieschnick, August 11, 2010 Dear Brothers in Christ, Grace and peace be with you, from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! This will be my last “Pastoral Letter” as president of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. My term [...]
A recent article published in the New York Times, “Taking a Break from the Lord’s Work,” discusses a variety of current research on clergy health across denominations. Most of the analysis is based on social scientific statistics and insights, so there is no biblically informed response for meeting the sabbath needs of clergy. There is, [...]
Yes, seriously. The priest gave the Host – considered by Christians to represent the body of Jesus Christ – to an Alsatian cross called Trapper. St Peter’s Anglican Church in Toronto has since been deluged complaints from Christians all over Canada. Donald Keith, the dog’s owner, said he had taken his pet to the church [...]
This week the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania has made available online the Dodoma Statement, adopted formally on January 7th of this year. The statement addresses positions on homosexuality taken up by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and other Lutheran organizations. The Dodoma Statement (Kiswahili) 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania [...]
Stephen R. Johnson (@Liturgy Solutions) brings up some important questions in light of worship services at the latest Convention of the LCMS. He writes: As a former church musician in the Evangelical Free Church, I was for years immersed in efforts to use music to create enthusiasm for and numerical growth in worship attendance. The [...]
Actions and happenings from today’s business sessions of the 64th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod are summarized in the media releases below. Simply click on each headline to read the entire story. The July 10-17 convention is meeting at the George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, with the theme “ONE People–Forgiven.” Harrison is [...]
Actions and happenings from today’s business sessions of the 64th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod are summarized in the media releases below. Simply click on each headline to read the entire story. The July 10-17 convention is meeting at the George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, with the theme “ONE People–Forgiven.” Delegates adopt [...]
Here is the news from the LCMS national convention as of Sunday, July 11, 2010. “Actions and happenings from today’s business sessions of the 64th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod are summarized in the media releases below. Simply click on each headline to read the entire story. The July 10-17 convention is meeting [...]
In their latest study, the Barna Group has added some data to its analysis of belief trends among teenagers. Here is a summary of what they have found: “Teenagers are consistently among the most religiously active Americans, with nearly six out of every 10 teens engaged in some type of group spiritual activity in a [...]
Greg Koukl writes of Oprah Winfrey and her “church”: Oprah Winfrey is the “pastor” of the largest church in the country.“The Church of O,” Christianity Today noted, has a congregation of 22 million vigorous, faithful, evangelistic members, making Oprah Winfrey “one of the most influential spiritual leaders in America.”1 Oprah’s theology is based on a [...]
An update on the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill, from Kevin A. Massey, Director of Lutheran Disaster Response. Sisters and Brothers in Christ, We continue to monitor the devastating oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and pray fervently for all those who have been affected. Indeed, while the long-term effects of this tragedy will [...]
Excerpts from an Email to ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson from Jaynan Clark, President, WordAlone Ministries Preface to the Reader I admit that something just said “Enough already!” as I read Mark Hanson’s (Presiding Bishop of the ELCA) release regarding the Gaza strip. This came only days after news that the Tanzanian, Ethiopian and Chinese [...]
by Wayne M. Anderson The largest Protestant church in Africa grabbed the world’s attention when it publically denounced homosexuality and said people who support gay rights were not welcome in the church—and neither was their money. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) posted a notice on its Web site entitled: Church rejects homosexuality. “Those [...]
Dear Readers, This summer at Gnesio we will be launching a new design and adding two new publication channels. Here’s a preview of what you can expect. Design The look and feel of the magazine should not change too much, but we have added some aesthetic and interactive features that we hope you will enjoy. [...]
Make Plans Now to Attend the Tenth Annual Convention of the Augsburg Lutheran Churches July 26th – 28th in Spokane, WA. The Word of the Lord Endures Forever! Keynote Speaker: Roland F. Ziegler, Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, IN. Bible study speaker: V. F. Bud Thompson, Gonzaga University, and managing editor, The Lutheran Quarterly. Discounted [...]
In the latest study conducted by the Barna Group, five insights are uncovered regarding public views on abortion. Abortion continues to split the nation. The Barna study of 1,001 adults explored Americans’ views on abortion by asking if they believe “abortion should be legal in all cases, legal in most cases, illegal in most cases, [...]
Another flock joins the exodus: The congregation at Christ The King Lutheran Church in Fallbrook has voted to leave the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and join the Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ, citing the ELCA’s recent decision to allow non-celibate gays and lesbians to serve as clergy. Church leaders said the allowance was [...]
A cherished tradition in the arts continues… Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is pleased to announce its 2010 summer carillon concert series. Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and picnics to enjoy in the main quad or on the Seminary grounds near Luther Statue. There will be an opportunity to meet the carillonneur after [...]
Here is a video put together by Exposing the ELCA highlighting several of the ways in which the organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has severed itself from the Christian communion. Check out the site for additional news and resources. This is a crusade to defend the Word of God. To challenge a [...]
A retreat to refresh, educate, and encourage Christian families; featuring Rev. Peter Bender, pastor of Peace Lutheran Church, Sussex, Wisconsin & Director of the Concordia Catechetical Academy Tue Aug 3, 2010 – Thur Aug 5, 2010 at Redeemer in Ft. Wayne. Cost: $25/adults, $20/18-12, 11 and under free, maximum cost per family: $90. BBQ dinner [...]
A Pastoral Letter to Pastors of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod From President Jerry Kieschnick May 20, 2010 Dear Brothers in Christ, As you know, the theme for this year’s Synod convention is “ONE People–Forgiven.” This is the third of the three facets in our Synod’s vision as endorsed by the 2004 convention: “ONE Mission, ONE [...]
By Joe Isenhower Jr. (via LCMS e-News) “Amazing, edifying, encouraging, affirming, equipping, and worshipful” is how songwriter Mia Koehne of Phoenix began describing her thoughts and impressions of the first LCMS songwriters conference, April 21-23 at St. John Lutheran Church, Ellisville, Mo., in suburban St. Louis. Several other songwriters registered similar enthusiastic feedback when asked [...]
The fourth annual worship conference of the ReClaim hymnal project is scheduled for June 13-14: Christians are to be nourished in the home. The focus of the entire event is how the home can share the gospel in singing, devotions, and teaching. The conference kicks off with a family singspiration Sunday evening featuring hymns and [...]
“C.F.W. Walther was one of the most important Lutheran theologians in America and a significant figure in nineteenth century Christian history. So, to honor the 200th anniversary of his birth, Concordia Publishing House (CPH) is promoting the study of Lutheran Confessional theology (16th century to present), its history, and its application in congregational life. To [...]
Via PowerLine “In a number of places around the world, it is open season on Christians. We read of Christians burned out of their homes and slaughtered in Pakistan. Most recently, at least 500 Christians were murdered in Nigeria. The attackers in all cases are Muslims, inspired by the warlike message of their Prophet. AFP [...]
As noted in an anonymous comment at Lutheran CORE, The ELCA congregational report says that this little church is on a 5.5 million property, and has very little debt. Do you suppose that influenced the synod council? The members of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Fort Pierce, Fla., voted unanimously in two required votes to [...]
“Child Abuse Scandal Reaches Catholic Church, Pope” by The Associated Press The Associated Press – March 13, 2010 “It often starts as a voice in the wilderness, but can swell into an entire nation’s demand for truth. From Ireland to Germany, Europe’s many victims of child abuse in the Roman Catholic church are finally breaking [...]
Via the Concordia Publishing House Facebook Page: Saint Louis, MO—Concordia Publishing House (CPH) and Lutherans For Life (LFL) recently signed an agreement whereby CPH will provide inventory management and order fulfillment services for LFL products. Both organizations offer products and services that are faithful to the Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions, and anticipate increased collaboration in [...]
The 2010 Annual WordAlone Convention will take place April 18-19th at Calvary Lutheran Church in Golden Valley, MN. Download the official brochure here (.pdf) Register online here And here are a couple of brief introductory videos with WordAlone President, Pastor Jaynan Clark and Vice President, Pastor Tom Walker. Featured Speakers The Rev. Dr. Gemechis D. Buba is [...]
The LCMC Leadership Conference will be held this year in Omaha, NE, at Lutheran Church of the Master. Speakers include Barry Anderson, David Householder, Bill Sullivan, Tim White, and Walt Sundberg. Here is the official announcement. Each year the LCMC Ministry Board sponsors a conference for pastors and congregational leaders that encourages, informs, and raises [...]
