FYI — Dr. Robert Roegner, the executive director of the LCMS Board for Mission Services, announced his retirement yesterday, effective Sunday. This is the board that has overseen world outreach under Ablaze!(tm) as well as actual missionary efforts — which … Continue reading
I haven’t had time to read this yet as my family is preparing to head to Hawaii for a cousin’s wedding. But it is the BUZZ OF THE BLOGOSPHERE right now. It’s a paper on LCMS Unity and Mission by … Continue reading
Sometimes we focus on things that aren’t managed well at Synodical headquarters. But we should also note things that are done well. I am thinking of our wonderful Concordia Publishing House. I doubt people have any idea how much the … Continue reading
I don’t know why but I love visiting the Ablaze!(tm) site to read the latest Ablaze!(tm) stories. These are where people share their examples of faith-sharing. And that’s how it’s written: “Share your Ablaze! faith-sharing.” It’s like the Ablaze!(tm) counter … Continue reading
I am back with an update on the attempt in Northern Virginia to fund the launch of a Cub Scout troop with Ablaze! funds. I am displeased to report that the attempt passed unanimously. … Continue reading
This isn’t the most Confessional Lutheran take on the Reformation, but it’s a must watch as you complete your Reformation Week celebrations! … Continue reading
So I was reading in the LCMS Reporter that the Ablaze! counter was bumped up by adding any children from the past three school years who attend Lutheran schools but are not a member of a Christian church. Which led … Continue reading
Washington Post: Churches Retool Mission Trips Work Abroad Criticized for High Cost and Lack of Value Wall Street Journal: The ‘Great Commission’ or Glorified Sightseeing? LCMS Reporter: Missions seeks 20 short-term teams to serve in Poland As the LCMS brings … Continue reading
As mentioned the other day, the October Reporter contains an article titled “Issues, Etc.” The article reports “an agreement has been reached” between the synodical BOD and Pr. Wilken and Jeff Schwarz over the name “Issues, Etc.” THIS IS UNTRUE. … Continue reading
The “Board Briefs” article in the print edition of the October Reporter on the request for the “Issues, Etc.” name is fiction. It states: …the former host and producer would like to continue using the name “Issues, Etc.” in connection … Continue reading
Remember the various explanations developed by Board for Communication Services Executive Director David Strand as to why Issues, Etc. was canceled? Remember how he scrambled to come up with some numbers after the immediate outcry regarding the situation? The Board … Continue reading
1) I’m on a committee at church that runs a small bookstore. We are hoping to offer a small selection of CPH books that would be helpful to the congregation. Any ideas for what we should include? 2) If you … Continue reading
According to the LCMS Web site, “Ablaze! ® began as a vision of LCMS World Mission to involve every member of the LCMS, its partner church bodies, and partner mission agencies in one focused and concentrated effort to share the … Continue reading
So I hear that the LCMS has obtained a legal trademark on the phrase: HIS LOVE IS HERE FOR YOU ® When I served on the Board for Communication Services, the unelected corporate executives who more or less control the … Continue reading
Here’s an interesting update from the August 21-22 Board of Directors meeting: 70. Fan Into Flame Report Jeff Craig-Meyer, Associate Executive Director of LCMS World Mission Development Services, provided an updated report of the Fan Into Flame fundraising effort, noting … Continue reading
We here at BJS are grateful to God for the accomplished writers who blog for us, Pastor Wilken, Pastor Preus and Mollie. Mollie is a professional writer whose resume includes several articles published in the Houses of Worship column in … Continue reading
Could we discuss the theology included in this Reporter story: Mark Couser, 26, has been working with the Lutheran Inner-City Network Coalition (LINC) North Texas, in Dallas-Fort Worth, for the past five years, helping to train church planters and other … Continue reading
Here’s the latest on the JeffersonHills Church (apparently affiliated with the LCMS and best known for their Satan billboard campaign): If you missed this weekend you missed something huge that God has called JH to launch. Beginning in September we … Continue reading
I think the Ablaze! folks should check this out. Why duplicate efforts? … Continue reading
There was an interesting story in The Reporter the other day: In other actions, the Board: authorized its general counsel to prepare a release for use of the LCMS-owned trademark for the radio program “Issues, Etc.,” the archived programs, and … Continue reading
Pastor Joel Brondos has written a fascinating test that analyzes the theology of the Ablaze! movement by offering side-by-side statements. The first statement represents positions which are clearly in line with the Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions while the second statement … Continue reading
Check it out here. Update: A reader sends along his highlights from an initial reading: No more decision making boards in the Synod. All boards merely advisory. All executives report to The LCMS President, who would also hire them. All … Continue reading
So now that Kari Jobe (who I’m sure is very nice and dedicated but not, you know, Lutheran) is no longer the “lead worshiper” at “Glorybound 2008” — the Texas Lutheran Youth Gathering, who’s “leading” the worship? Kari’s now just … Continue reading
I found out a little bit more about the KFUO budget situation. Recently we discussed how odd it is that the 2008/2009 budget for KFUO would increase over the previous year. Remember that BCS Executive Director David Strand claimed that … Continue reading
Recently we discussed how odd it was that the KFUO budget would increase for the coming year when David Strand claimed that Issues, Etc. had to be canceled for financial reasons. It gets stranger. One of my sources tells me … Continue reading