Karsten Christiansen

BREAKING NEWS [UPDATED 9.1.2026]: Hong Kong International School (HKIS) & Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod Settle Competing Lawsuits with "Substantial Payment" & Severance of Ties Between HKIS

Truth & Light Media — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 02:38:53 GMT

The South China Morning Post is exclusively reporting that the year-long legal dispute between the prestigious Hong Kong International School (HKIS) and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS) has been settled out-of-court through mediation. The LCMS was a co-founder of HKIS, and the settlement follows the sale of a separate campus of HKIS in 2019 for millions of US dollars to pay down LCMS debts.

The long-simmering dispute around school leadership and finances came to a head in 2025 when the LCMS sued the HKIS, and the HKIS counter-sued the LCMS while disputing the claims of the church body.

In exchange for the financial payment, the LCMS surrendered all governance rights of the school through the termination of the operating agreement with HKIS. Financial terms of the settlement have not been released as of this writing.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2026, UPDATES:

Several new articles and statements have been issued since Truth & Light Media published its first post regarding the settlement of litigation between the LCMS and the HKIS, and the governance separation of the parties.

A comprehensive Hong Kong Free Press article that includes perspectives offered by both HKIS and LCMS leadership was published on September 1, 2026.

Additionally, HKIS has posted responses to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and the LCMS has issued a press release.

Financial terms of the settlement are confidential under the mediated settlement.

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Faithful Families are Quietly Leaving the LCMS; "Low Church Missouri" & Worship Debates; Censoring Difficult Conversations Harms Christ's Church; SMP Program Eligibility Requirements' Family Impact

Truth & Light Media — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 08:01:02 GMT

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Dear Friend in Christ,

LCMS Synodical President Emeritus, Rev. Dr. Jerry Kieschnick, recently appeared on the widely-followed Lead Time podcast with Rev. Dr. Tim Ahlman and Jack Kalleberg to discuss a paper written by a lifelong LCMS member. Listen to Dr. Kieschnick read this heartfelt article, “Why Faithful Families Are Quietly Leaving the LCMS,” and the discussion that follows. What does it mean for the LCMS and our future and how our church body can best serve the needs of the growing diversity of Christians in the United States and beyond?

If your schedule does not provide you with 75 minutes to watch the Lead Time podcast, we have posted Dr. Kieschnick’s recent post covering this same article here.

We encourage you to watch the podcast, read the article, or do both with an open heart and loving disposition as our church body continues to explore more ways to reach the lost with the Good News of the world’s Savior, Jesus.

Trending Stories

· LCMS Concordia Seminary Professor of Theology Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann on “Low Church Missouri,” History, & What They Mean for Today’s LCMS Worship Debates

· LCMS Rev. Dr. Tim Ahlman Discusses Removed Concordia University Ann Arbor Podcast; Takes a Deep Dive Into the Divisiveness Harming the LCMS; Encourages Hard Conversations; Reminds Us to Remain Rooted on What Unites Us

· Is the Family’s Suffering the Point? A Daughter’s Story of Calling, Sacrifice, and LCMS Pastoral Formation

· LCMS Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne (CTSFW) Student, Josiah Junkin, Arrested for Molestation of 2-Month-Old Girl; Investigations in Indiana & Michigan; Spent Vicarage Year in South Wisconsin District

· It’s Not Just Birth Rates -- Having More Babies is Good, But It Won’t Stop the Decline of the LCMS

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New Stories Coming Soon

This week and beyond – LCMS Rev. William Fredstrom on Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Relating & Connecting in the Age of Chatbots; Massachusetts Codifies Abortion Up To Birth – Please Pray for Babies & Their Parents & That Hearts May Turn Toward Christ & His Word; LCMS Minnesota South District President Rev. Lucas Woodford on Why the Culture War Won’t Save Us & What Faithful Ministry in Post-Christian America Looks Like; University of Michigan Begins Solidifying Plans, Major Investments, for Abandoned LCMS Concordia University Ann Arbor (CUAA) Campus; The Summer of Taking Christian Nationalism Seriously: Multiple Christian Denominations, Including the LCMS, Voted at Conventions to Study How Best to Respond; United Methodist Conference Sues Texas Megachurch Over Changes in Governing Documents – Is This a Harbinger of the Dueling LCMS-Concordia University Texas Lawsuits?

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Our Mission

Truth & Light Media exists to aggregate, curate, and publish a breadth of public domain and original news and perspectives gathered from across our church body and the Christian Church at-large, particularly those stories that are under-reported or completely ignored by formal Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod channels. We work to help educate, represent, and give voice to all the pastors and people in the pews of the LCMS. By better informing a broader swath of congregational membership, we desire to help foster loving, honest, transparent, respectful, and robust conversations within the LCMS that produce the best decisions and leadership for our congregations and schools, our districts, and our national church body, all for the sake of the Gospel and the Great Commission.

Thank you for reading.

Soli Deo Gloria!

+ Karsten Christiansen +

Editor-in-Chief

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LCMS Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne Student, Josiah Junkin, Arrested for Molestation of 2-Month-Old Girl; Investigations in Indiana & Michigan; Was South Wisconsin District Vicar

Truth & Light Media — Sat, 22 Aug 2026 20:00:44 GMT

Please share this post so that others who may have been victimized might come forward.

27-year-old Josiah Junkin, a student at Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne (CTSFW), a seminary of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS), was arrested on Thursday, August 20, 2026, and charged with one count of child molestation. He is charged with molesting a two-month-old girl in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

According to reports, authorities have investigated possible crimes by Mr. Junkin in Michigan and repeated molestations of the same child in Indiana.

Junkin served as a vicar intern at Faith Lutheran Church in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in the South Wisconsin District of the LCMS in 2025. He faces up to 12 years in prison, if convicted of the current charge.

Junkin’s arrest follows the January 2026 arrest of then-LCMS Central Illinois District President Michael Mohr on federal charges of child pornography. Mohr remains jailed while awaiting trial in St. Louis, Missouri.

As of this writing, no statements have been released regarding Junkin’s arrest by leaders of Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne, The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, or the Presidents of the Indiana District, the South Wisconsin District, or the Michigan District – regions of the LCMS where Junkin has served or resided.

We pray for Almighty God’s overflowing love, care, and healing for this precious child and any other victims, and that justice will prevail and be swiftly administered. Lord, have mercy.

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Luther Condemned Rigid Practices, Valued Liberty & Local Community in Worship; 2 Rural LCMS Iowa Churches Close When SMP Candidate Denied Due to New Age Restriction; LCMS Pastor Shortage Grows Larger

Truth & Light Media — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 08:02:56 GMT

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Dear Friend in Christ,

As the decades-long debate around worship style in the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod continues, once must ask what Dr. Martin Luther’s position was on this matter.

We recently discovered this excellent article by Lutheran pastor Re…

It Begins: The New LCMS 40-Years-Old SMP Requirement Results in the Closure of 2 Rural Iowa Congregations; Why Was No Age Exception Made?

Truth & Light Media — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 08:03:16 GMT

by Lead Time Podcast

August 4, 2026

We encourage you to share this public post for the sake of the Gospel and those who do not yet know Jesus.

This Story Simply MUST Be Shared… The Carter Nath Story

Friends,

Please consider helping us share this heartbreaking story.

Carter Nath joined us to tell the deeply personal story behind an approaching church
closure—an…

The 2026 State of the LCMS Survey Now Open!

Truth & Light Media — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 08:01:20 GMT

Feel free to share this post with all LCMS pastors, commissioned church workers, and people in the pews.

by Rev. Zach Zehnder, Red Letter Disciple

August 4, 2026

Whether you’re an LCMS pastor, commissioned church worker, or lay member, I’d love to hear your perspective.

Take the survey here: https://forms.gle/YFvbRygqhdJtwFCbA.

The survey is completely anony…

LCMS 2026 Convention Recap Video, Podcast, & Overview Guide Developed & Released by Lead Time & LCMS Rev. Rob Bailey

Truth & Light Media — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 08:02:29 GMT

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by Lead Time & Rev. Rob Bailey, South Lake Church, League City, Texas

July 29, 2026

Missed the Convention? Catch Up Here

The 2026 LCMS Convention covered a tremendous amount of business over five full days. To help you understand what happened…

LCMS 2026 Convention Wraps Up: Synod Remains United in Doctrine, Divided on Topics Like Pastoral Formation, Roles of Women, Worship Practice, Altar & Pulpit Fellowship with AALC, "Lutheran Identity"

Truth & Light Media — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 08:02:37 GMT

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July 28, 2026

Dear Friend in Christ,

The LCMS 2026 Convention is now behind us. The gathering in Phoenix produced results that reflect a Synod that remains divided on many topics, and thankfully, wonderfully united in doctrine. While disagreements remain on many important matters, the one true thing that matters most is that Christ is, and will always be,…

Thinking About Pastoral Formation

Truth & Light Media — Sun, 19 Jul 2026 12:30:27 GMT

by Joel Biermann, Concordia Seminary St. Louis Professor of Systematic Theology

July 19, 2026

This post is public so feel free to share it.

As the LCMS continues to discuss and debate paths into the Office of the Ministry, the conversations have a way of devolving into acrimony, polarizing positions, and passion driven by unexpressed and often unacknowledg…

Sacred Spaces, Permanent Places: LCMS Concordia University Ann Arbor's Chapel of the Holy Trinity Deconsecrated

Truth & Light Media — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 08:02:27 GMT

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by Mary Kay Salminen, President, The Oscar & Keturah Haab Foundation

June 30, 2026

The New Junior College Board of Control met April 11, 1961, regarding the new Synodical Lutheran College in Michigan. The names are a Who’s Who in Lutheran history: Krieger, Streit, Krentz, Moeller, Rummel, Pflieger and Laetz. Th…

LCMS 2026 Convention Resources Developed to Help Educate & Equip Delegates & Convention Goers; Prayers for Godly Conversations, Independent Thinking, & Wise Decisions

Truth & Light Media — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 08:01:28 GMT

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Dear Friend in Christ,

The LCMS 2026 Convention opens in Phoenix in just a few days. It is a convention of consequence, and faithful pastors and laymen from across our beloved Synod have worked diligently to help further educate and equip convention delegates. The context available in these resources, and the …

1st Round LCMS Synodical President Voter Emails Received 1 Month After End of That Round; Mounting Concern of Possible Voter Disenfranchisement Has Some Calling Into Question Legitimacy of Election

Truth & Light Media — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 18:35:19 GMT

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” Ephesians 5:8-11

Institutional Self-Preservation Trumps Structural Reform: An Analysis of What the LCMS 2026 Convention Floor Committees Actually Did -- And What It Means for the People in the Pews

Truth & Light Media — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 08:02:37 GMT

This post is public. Feel free to share it.

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” Ephesians 5:8-11

LCMS 2026 Convention Study Resources Developed for Delegates, Pastors, & Lay Leaders

Truth & Light Media — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 08:00:09 GMT

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by Rob Bailey, M.Div.

July 1, 2026

Friends, ministers, and fellow members in the LCMS,

As we prepare for the Synodical Convention in a few weeks, I wanted to share a few resources that may be helpful for delegates, pastors, lay leaders, congregations, and others who are prayerfully working through the convention…

LCMS Synodical President Runner-Up, LCMS Central Region VP Nominee, Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann, Shares His Reflections & Learnings from the Last 12 Months

Truth & Light Media — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 08:01:42 GMT

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Concordia Seminary Professor of Systematic Theology Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann shares his reflections and learnings from the last 12 months in this short video.

From the completely unexpected nomination to allow his name to stand for LCMS Synodical President in which he finished as a close runner-up following…

A Narrow Victory, A Wide Responsibility: A Call to President-Elect Harrison to Lead All of the LCMS

Truth & Light Media — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 17:29:54 GMT

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On June 24, 2026, after three rounds of balloting, the Rev. Matthew C. Harrison was elected to a sixth term as President of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. The numbers tell a story that deserves careful reflection. In the first round, Harrison received just 43.8% of votes cast — not a majority. In the sec…

LCMS Round 3 Synodical President Voting Problems Experienced by Registered Voters in at Least 9 LCMS Districts; Problem Acknowledged by Synod; VOTE TODAY!

Truth & Light Media — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 08:01:46 GMT

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Dear Friend in Christ,

Today is the final day of round three voting in the LCMS Synodical President election. If you are a registered voter and have not already done so, please vote!

Over this past weekend, Truth & Light Media reported that some registered pastoral and lay voters for the LCMS Synodical Presiden…

UPDATE: In the Most Important Synodical President Election in a Generation, LCMS Secretary's Office Struggles Again: Pastors from 6 Districts Report No 3rd Round Voting Emails Received

Truth & Light Media — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 20:12:24 GMT

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UPDATED 3:00 PM CENTRAL, SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2026 - THE FIRST DAY OF THIRD ROUND SYNODICAL PRESIDENT VOTING

Truth & Light Media has received additional reports from both pastoral and lay voters from at least six districts (Florida-Georgia, Kansas, Northern Illinois, Northwest, Rocky Mountain, and Texas) that no…

Here We Go Again: Some Round 3 LCMS Synodical President Pastoral & Lay Voters Report Not Receiving Email Notifications from Synod

Truth & Light Media — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 15:43:06 GMT

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Unfortunately, Truth & Light Media has received reports from both pastoral and lay voters that no emails from the LCMS Office of the Secretary were received notifying them that round three voting is now open and to use the same voting credentials as the first two rounds. Truth & Light asked these voters to ch…

20-Year Concordia Seminary Professor of Theology Shares Deeply Troubling Observations & Experiences Under Incumbent President Harrison’s Tenure, Concerns for the Future of the LCMS

Truth & Light Media — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 14:15:53 GMT

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by Rick Marrs, M.Div., Ph.D.

Senior Professor of Practical Theology, Concordia Seminary St. Louis

June 19, 2026

A number of friends have asked me privately why I am supporting Joel Biermann over Matt Harrison for president of the LCMS. The friends have generally started with “they both seem to be fine, faithful …