Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) is the newest LCMS program for preparing pastors to fill an identified need in a congregation, cultural setting, or other ministry.

In response to President Kieschnick’s March article regarding the Missouri Synod’s position on “Right to Life,” I would like to share some of the discussion from a recent Sunday morning Bible class. The question was posed: If the California mother of 14 children were a member of our church family, how would we respond? Initial

As technology enables seminaries to broaden their reach, they also assure that technical advances foster the goal of training and forming pastors.

“The Shack” is a publishing blockbuster and a cultural phenomenon. What are we to make of this exercise in ‘Christian’ fiction? A Lutheran pastor takes a look.

“Over the years, our experience has shown us, and we deeply believe, that no child can be truly healed unless he is cared for emotionally, physically, and spiritually.”

With regard to Mr. Pyle’s concerns about Christ’s presence among us (“Letters,” February)—I have Good News: Christ is most certainly and personally among us today! When Christ ascended into heaven, He didn’t remove His presence on earth— He transformed it. Nor did He stop having a body when He sat down at the right hand

The Q&A column in the February Lutheran Witness, “Whom May I Commune,” was most distressing. There are some underlying questions that were not addressed: First, where were our LCMS clergy, and what were they doing, or not doing? Second, what are our pastors teaching the members about close(d) Communion that even causes such questions to

Christ’s triumph over death at that first Easter is the very heart of the Christian faith and the central event of history.

by Dr. Paul L. Maier Easter is the ultimate test of faith. The one great watershed that ultimately divides believers from unbelievers is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As St. Paul put it so categorically in 1 Cor. 15:14: “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is

How would you react if someone you thought was dead turned out to be alive?

Thank you, Dr. Furnish, for your February story, “Dueling Messiahs,” explaining the Islamic belief of Mahdism, and for showing how this belief influences politics in the Middle East. You have shown how important it is for Christians to understand the beliefs of Islam so that we can (1) be on guard against a foolish naiveté