International Lutheran Conference (lead by the LCMS) and the Lutheran World Federation (lead by the ELCA) met to "help build trust" in working in mission together. This even though there are "serious theological issues" between the two church bodies. More on ILC and LWF...
Maybe then they read President Kieschnick's recent letter addressing unity and division
There certainly is a lot of unity and division within the Synod right now, and some these are a very big deal, including:
• Close Communion – There is little if any disagreement among us on the doctrine of the Lord’s Supper as a sacramental gift of God’s grace for repentant Christians wherein the body and blood of our Lord are truly present in, with, and under the bread and wine for the forgiveness of sin and assurance of life eternal. But there is significant disagreement regarding the policies of admission to Holy Communion, namely, who should be allowed or even encouraged to receive the Sacrament at the Altar in our congregations, campus ministries and military chaplaincies.
• Church and Ministry – Despite our theological clarity on the subject, there exists in some corners of our Synod a lack of agreement regarding the role, responsibility, authority and accountability of both the office of pastor and the role of laity in the church.
• The Service of Women in the Church – Since 1969 our Synod has expressed its collective belief on the teaching of Holy Scripture, allowing women to vote and hold congregational offices, but not to occupy the pastoral office. Yet some in our Synod would severely restrict the involvement of women in the church at many levels, while others would favor no restrictions at all.
• Worship – Disagreement exists on whether certain contemporary worship expressions employ doctrinally pure resources faithfully and whether certain traditional worship expressions do so meaningfully and effectively.
The LCMS is also in the process of filing a position on its Board of Directors
All this while Synod is in the process of potentially restructuring it governance
Monday, May 12, 2008
More News Within the LCMS
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Commemorations of Wyneken and Walther
During the last week, the commemorations of two pastors who played a crucial role in the establishment of the Lutheran church - particularly the LCMS - in America.
Carl Ferdinand Wilhelm Walther (1811-87), the father of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, served as its first president from 1847 to 1850 and then again from 1864 to 1878. In 1839 he emigrated from Saxony, Germany, with other Lutherans, who settled in Missouri. He served as pastor of several congregations in St. Louis, founded Concordia Seminary, and in 1847 was instrumental in the formation of the LCMS (then called the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States). Walther worked tirelessly to promote confessional Lutheran teaching and doctrinal agreement among all Lutherans in the United States. He was a prolific writer and speaker. Among his most influential works are Church and Ministry and The Proper Distinction between Law and Gospel. 
Saturday, May 3, 2008
An Issues, Etc. Q & A
"This document is provided by the Executive Director of the LCMS Board for Communication Services upon request of his board, which met in St. Louis April 17-18. The purpose of the document is to respond to the many questions posed regarding the cancellation of the KFUO-AM radio program, “Issues, Etc.,” and the resultant termination of its host and producer. It is hoped that this document will be a step toward reconciliation and peace...." (Q&A found here)(PDF)
Sphere: Related ContentFriday, May 2, 2008
Lutheran Witness Wins Awards and Women's Leadership Institute Conference News
"The Lutheran Witness, the official magazine of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, won four awards in this year's Associated Church Press (ACP) religious journalism competition for work done in 2007..." (more here)
Women's Leadership Institute held a conference in Milwaukee, focusing on "Women as Leaders" (more here)
Monday, April 28, 2008
LCMS Leaders Meet With Pope
LCMS leaders recently met with the Pope on his recent visit to the United States. The theme of the prayer service, "Christ, Out Hope for Unity."
Sphere: Related ContentMore on Issues, Etc. - from COP
The Council of Presidents recently met and two more statements regarding Issues, Etc. were realeased. One from the Council of Presidents and another from Rev. Gerald Kieschnick, President of the LCMS.
Sphere: Related ContentSaturday, April 19, 2008
2010 LCMS Youth Gathering Theme Announced
"The 2010 Gathering theme is based on John 20:31: "But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (ESV)."
More on the 2010 LCMS Youth Gathering here.
