Districts are having their pre-convention meetings to help delegates prepare for the work they’ll have to do in Houston here in a few weeks. I’ve been talking to folks from districts around the country and one of the interesting (to … Continue reading
This in from a dedicated BJS reader: I just spoke to CTSFW, and they gave me the instructions for helping out the uncalled pastoral candidates and their families. The check is to be made out to, “Concordia Theological Seminary.” On … Continue reading
Dr. Daniel Gard, Professor of Exegetical Theology and Dean of Military Chaplaincy at Concordia Theological Seminary, has the following note on Facebook: To my students: I am just now learning about the shortage of calls. Please remember that Lord of … Continue reading
In my last post, I mentioned a “confidential” report that was commissioned in conjunction with the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance. The “confidential” report is referenced on pages 17-19 of the Final BRTFSSG Report (PDF) that … Continue reading
To Exercise Care and Delay Implementation z
Continue readingIf you go to this page on the Synodical website, you’ll see an appeal for funds for something called the 2010 National Offering. I’m not familiar with the “national offering” or if it’s been done before but this one, which … Continue reading
The Santa Cruz Sentinel has a story from last September headlined “Local Evangelical Lutherans applaud church’s decision allowing gay clergy.” It’s about the ELCA’s then-recent move to ordain clergy who are in committed same-sex relationship (they actually had allowed gay … Continue reading
Earlier this week I shared some reports about how President Gerald Kieschnick reacted to the nomination totals. I also have news on how LCMS World Relief and Human Care Executive Director Matt Harrison responded to those nomination totals. Here is … Continue reading
Discussions are almost always fun to follow over at the American Lutheran Publicity Bureau. That’s a site where folks of various Lutheran stripes come together to engage in contentious and newsy topics. I actually really enjoy the site because the … Continue reading
I was researching a quick post on how the recent news about nominations is being taken by supporters of President Kieschnick, and I’ll post on that shortly. But my interviews suggest that there are three groups of people who are … Continue reading
I think many of us were surprised by the LCMS presidential nomination results. I had expected the top two vote getters to be SP Gerald Kieschnick and World Relief and Human Care executive director Matt Harrison. But I thought they’d … Continue reading
A reader pointed out that a Lutheran congregation in Nebraska is hosting a “Beth Moore” simulcast. Beth Moore is a Christian evangelist and writer who was the next big thing a few years ago. Issues, Etc. had a great critique … Continue reading
Yesterday I posted a quote I found from 1929. It dealt with the desire of some progressives to lose our hymnody. Well, here’s another awesome find from 1929. It’s a report from the Missouri Synod titled, well, “The Work of … Continue reading
I come from a mainstream media background. At the news organizations I’ve worked at, our objective was to simply report the news. We aim for balance, objectivity and fairness. And I can say that many reporters do a great job … Continue reading
A few months ago my family had the pleasure of attending a lecture on Friedrich Conrad Dietrich Wyneken, the second president of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. LCMS World Relief and Human Care Executive Director Matt Harrison was the … Continue reading
since last week, when failed Democratic candidate for Senate Martha Coakley misspelled the name of the state she was seeking to represent. Yikes. Ouch. Ooft. This is the header from the JesusFirst campaign e-mail they just sent out: … Continue reading
Editor’s Note: There is a good string of comments still going on District President Forke’s thoughts on the Council of Presidents’ (COP) theses on worship. Pr. John Frahm asserted that the Lutheran Confessions do more to define “liturgy” than the … Continue reading
Editor’s Note: Phillip Magness, Cantor at Bethany Lutheran Church Naperville, Illinois and regular columnist on this website was interviewed last week by the Scripps Howard Newservice which serves over 700 newspapers around the world. I have the blessing of serving … Continue reading
Editor’s Note: Pastor Klemet Preus posted “A Modest Suggestion to the DPs regarding their Theses on Worship” last month, and the author of the Theses, DP Terry Forke, has replied in the comments section. That reply is posted below. We … Continue reading
The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) President Mark Schroeder delivered a wonderful address to their convention last summer. He seamlessly interwove doctrine and practice. Right doctrine in this address is not some sort of boundary or some set of right … Continue reading
“Johannes” is a retired layman who serves district and synodical organizations. He has also served as a delegate to district and synodical conventions, and is active in his local congregation. Because of policy considerations, he has chosen to remain anonymous … Continue reading
“Johannes” is a retired layman who serves district and synodical organizations. He has also served as a delegate to district and synodical conventions, and is active in his local congregation. Because of policy considerations, he has chosen to remain anonymous … Continue reading
Yesterday I posted a critique of the Blue Ribbon Task Force’s misuse of Walther’s 1872 sermon on pure doctrine for the saving of souls. I was just alerted to the fact that Rev. Harrison has an audio version of this … Continue reading
(Editor’s Note: for an introduction to this essay and for Part I click here. For Part II click here and for Part III cilck here for Part IV click here. This part of the paper completes the section on “Contemporary … Continue reading
(Damion Giunta is an LCMS member in the suburbs northwest of Los Angeles. He is hoping to start a chapter of the Brothers of John the Steadfast in his local area. If you are reading this and are in the … Continue reading