January 8, 2009 - In 28 years as a parish pastor, I never made a sick call on someone who had cholera. Maybe that's because unless you eat raw, infected shellfish, or drink unsanitary water, you generally won't catch cholera. Read more >>

Off and Running: 'Men's NetWork' Now Available as Powerful Ministry Resource Jan. 6, 2009 — Developed as a resource for men that can be used by groups or individuals, Lutheran Hour Ministries' Men's NetWork is now available as an online resource. Simply go to www.lhmmen.com, take a minute or two to register, and you're in. Loaded with helpful stuff men's groups can use to maximize their time together, the Men's NetWork also has features to boost their outreach mission to men who are on the fringe of the church or just uninvolved. As a Web-based resource, the Men's NetWork provides tools and strategies that help guys get past the difficult hurdle of forming their own men's group. "This Web site has the potential to jump-start men's groups from scratch," said Bruce Wurdeman, Director of U.S. Ministries for LHM. "We've all seen churches that had great possibilities when it comes to guys in their midst, but there wasn't a go-to resource for them to find new ideas to grow their ministry. The Men's NetWork is that resource." Full of helpful tools like video Bible studies, how-to instruction sheets for ministry projects, a "braggin'" corner where men's groups can post their successes, and a load of other useful goodies, the Men's NetWork is a Web site men can return to again and again. "We'll keep it fresh," Wurdeman added, "by stocking it with new Bible studies and expanding the items we already have there." Read more of this story >>