LCMS Specialized Pastoral Ministry – December 2014 newsletter

In this issue from LCMS’ Specialized Pastoral Ministry (SPM), encouraging words from the SPM interim director are shared, along with information on the 2014 SPM Educational event Oct. 28-30. In addition, the dates of other upcoming SPM events and general information about this ministry are provided in the pages of this newsletter.

‘Free to be Faithful’ – Winter 2014 newsletter

Religious liberty and conscience, so long considered foundational in the United States of America, has been challenged in no less than three major Supreme Court cases in the last five years, with plenty more on the way.

Journal of Lutheran Mission – September 2014

The second issue of the journal features papers from confessional Lutheran church leaders who presented at the International Lutheran Council's fifth world seminary conference. Both the conference and this issue of the journal focus on the theme "Suffering, Persecution and Martyrdom as a Mark of the Church."

Interview on the set of “The First Rosa”

During filming of "The First Rosa" documentary in Selma, Ala., the week of Sept. 22, 2014, the Rev. Jon Vieker, senior assistant to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod president, interviews two of the actors playing Rosa J. Young at different stages of her life, Jordan Donegan and Jasmine Gatewood.

Audio interview: Dealing with unrest

The Rev. Steve Schave, director of Urban & Inner-City Mission, and the Rev. Dr. John Nunes, Emil and Elfriede Jochum professor and chair at Valparaiso University, discuss ministry in urban areas as well as the unrest unfolding in Ferguson, Mo., and around the world. KFUO Interview — Aug. 13, 2014.

Audio: The Dark Side of Emerging Adulthood

LCMS Young Adult Ministry interviews “Lost in Transition: The Dark Side of Emerging Adulthood” authors, Dr. Patricia Herzog and Hilary Davidson. They share their findings from the National Study of Youth and Religion.

Feast of the Purification of Mary

Pastors, this is one of the feasts that (sadly!) tends to be mostly observed only when it falls on Sunday, as it does this year. That means that many are tempted to speak the unfamiliar Proper Preface. If you’d like a little practice learning to sing it, listen here to Pr. Sean Daenzer as he sings it for you.