Passionate Believers Conference
S t e w a r d s h i p
F e l l o w s h i p
M i s s i o n F o c u s e d
R e l e v a n t
February 4, 2017
COME &
JOIN
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21st Century Lutherans: What does this mean?
I n f o r m a t i v e
N e t w o r k i n g
B e n e f i c i a l
2017 Passionate Believers
Conference
“21st Century Lutheranism: What does this mean?”
What does this mean? 500 years after Dr. Martin Luther nailed the 95
Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, that question is
still deserving of an answer. Is the Lutheran Reformation and its
confession as timely today as it was 500 years ago? Times and
circumstances have changed; what ought Lutheranism to look like as
we move into an increasingly hostile culture? Is being Lutheran still
important? We have asked Dr. Rast to address those issues as he
speaks to us about “21st Century Lutheranism: What does this mean?”
“BE READY IN SEASON AND
OUT OF SEASON” 2 T IMOTHY 4 :2:
CONFESSING THE FAITH
IN GOOD AND B AD T IMES
In 2017 we mark the 500th anniversary of Luther’s posting of the
95 Theses. In the half millennium since then, confessing the faith
has not gotten any easier - in fact, it may be even more difficult for
us to speak and to live as Christians now and into the foreseeable
future. Yet God is faithful and has promised that His church will
survive all the challenges that the devil, the world, and our own
sinful flesh can throw at us.
Building on God’s promises, we know that this is our time to
be distinctly Lutheran. How can we leverage our role as
confessing Lutherans in our rapidly changing world and
in our increasingly hostile culture for the sake of
proclaiming the Gospel? This presentation will explore
what we’ve learned over the past 500 years and
encourage us to faithful and bold witness now and
into the future.
Rev. Dr. Lawrence R. Rast, Jr. serves as the sixteenth president of
Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and professor of
American Christianity and American Lutheranism. Dr. Rast joined the
Department of Historical Theology in the fall of 1996 after serving as pastor of
Ascension Lutheran Church, Madison, Tennessee (1992-96).
AGENDA
8:00 a.m. Registration
8:45 a.m. Opening Devotion & Welcome
9:00 a.m. Keynote Presentation
10:30 a.m. Breakout Session 1
11:35 a.m. Lunch
12:45 p.m. Breakout Session 2
2:00 p.m. Q&A
2:30 p.m. Closing
Breakout Sessions
Visit swd.lcms.org for detailed descriptions of all sessions
Breakout Session 1 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Breakout Session 2 12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
Concrete Examples of “Witness, Mercy, Life Together” for the Congregation Rev. Rick Raabe/Joan Butz, Beautiful Savior, Milwaukee. Witness: Outreach through food giveaways. Mercy: Helping others in need, building relationships with “First Friday.” Life Together: Getting members into God’s Word with “Our Appointment with Jesus” for a firm foundation to reach out further into our surrounding communities.
A New Collaborative Paradigm - Johnnie Fields and Darryl Winston,
Mission of Christ, Milwaukee. Many of us have done things on our own for many years. However, in the twenty-first century, we must learn to collaborate to become stronger and more effective at energizing church members to reach the lost and share the Gospel with urgency.
Explaining the Financial Picture - Ross Stroh, Executive Director - LCMS
Accounting. We will discuss financial reports that are accurate, yet understandable...How does the treasurer get across the financial picture to church leadership in a meaningful way? We will also go over any updates on the congregational treasurers manual.
Concrete Examples of “Witness, Mercy, Life Together” for the Congregation Rev. Rick Raabe/Joan Butz, Beautiful Savior, Milwaukee. Witness: Outreach through food giveaways. Mercy: Helping others in need, building relationships with “First Friday.” Life Together: Getting members into God’s Word with “Our Appointment with Jesus” for a firm foundation to reach out further into our surrounding communities.
Five Missional Habits That BLESS - Rev. Peter A. Meier, D Min, Executive
Director, Center for United States Missions. Learn five simple habits that open doors to spiritual conversations and faith sharing with family, friends, and neighbors.
Half Full - How Assets Transform Ministry in the City - Rev. Dr. Daniel P.
Czaplewski, Mt. Calvary, Milwaukee. Do you see a glass half full or half empty? This presentation will help you see the “full half” of the glass in urban settings. We’ll briefly survey the unique challenges and opportunities of congregations in the city as they strive to be “grace places” and avoid toxic charity. The focus will be an Asset Based Community Development for the urban congregation.
Go to Them - Reaching Teens, Partnering with Public Schools Rev. Amos O. Gray IV, Associate/Youth Pastor, First Lutheran, Hot Springs, AR. For years the church has been separated from school. Effective, missional student ministry sees its ministry as to the whole community. That mindset places the public school in a vital place for ministry. In this presentation, Pastor Gray will share with you best practices on ministering at public schools.
Indispensable Christian Leadership Lessons Learned from the Life of George Washington - Dr. James Pingel, Ph. D., Director of Graduate
Education, CUW. Ecclesiastes 1:9 reminds us that “there is nothing new under the sun.” By examining the life and legacy of our nation’s most important Founding Father and God’s Word, let us explore, unpack, and be inspired by timeless Christian leadership lessons.
Lutheran Education: Past, Present, and Future - Dr. Christopher Cody, SWD
Education Executive. President Harrison has called the schools of the LCMS our “crown jewels.” This breakout will explore the roots of the Lutheran education system in the United States. Further, we will examine the present state of our Lutheran school system. Finally, we will discuss the future of Lutheran schools in the SWD and the LCMS.
Multiplication Models for Any Size Church - Rev. Peter A. Meier, D Min,
Executive Director, Center for United States Missions. You don’t have to be BIG to multiply! Every church can have a role in church multiplication. Explore what might work for you.
Social Media for Ministry - Introduction/Beginner Level - Matthew Bergholt,
Manager, Online Support and Services, LCMS Office of National Mission, School Ministry. This entry level session takes a look at the basics behind Social Media and how and why it can be effective in reaching beyond your four walls.
Small Group Bible Study and Resources - Rev. Randy Raasch,
First Immanuel, Cedarburg. Acts 2:46 tells us that early Christians met together, not only in the Temple, but also in their homes. It is important that Christians engage in both of these God-pleasing activities. Hear how your church can develop a small group ministry that strengthens members’ faith, as well as the congregation’s mission.
Strategic Planning for the Lutheran Congregation - Rev. Dr. Larry Rast, Jr.,
President of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana. This sectional will explore how strategic planning can help vitalize a local congregation. It will explore what strategic planning is and identify the steps toward developing a congregational culture for cultivating a strategic plan.
Social Media for Ministry - Intermediate/Advanced Level - Matthew Bergholt,
Manager, Online Support and Services, LCMS Office of National Mission, School Ministry. Are you already using social media in your ministry and want to do more with it to expand your reach? If so, this advanced level session is for you. We will take a look at strategies, skills, and best practices to enhance what you are already doing to further your ministry’s impact through social media.
The Lutheran Federal Credit Union: A Blessing for You and the LCMS Rev. Ken Krueger, JD, MBA, MPH, MDiv - CEO, Lutheran Federal Credit Union. Did you know that the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod started a credit union specifically to benefit you, your church and other LCMS entities? Rev. Krueger will discuss the history and progress of the organization, the benefits of the credit union, and the specific products and services available through LFCU. Rev. Krueger also will discuss LFCU within the context of stewardship.
The Book of Colossians - Rev. Dr. Larry Rast, Jr., President of Concordia
Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation and its nature is to bear fruit and increase. This study of Paul’s epistle to the Colossians will encourage participants boldly and confidently to share the faith once delivered to the saints within the context of their vocation.
Understanding the FLSA’s Overtime Pay Rules - David Hertel, Partner, Husch
Blackwell LLP. This session will address the overtime pay obligations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of congregations, schools and other religious organizations. What should congregations, schools and other religious organizations be doing? What is likely to happen in the future? Are you in compliance with the regulations now? This session will address these questions and more by providing an overview of the current status of the FLSA overtime regulations and what your organization should be doing to be in compliance.
VisionPath - Rev. Mark Frith, Vice President, Ministry Support, LCEF.
LCEF’s VisionPath helps you discover your ministry’s unique place in God’s mission. The VisionPath experience provides clarity in ministry passion, alignment in ministry purpose, and action in ministry processes that make known the love of Christ within church and community.
Understanding Intimate Partner Violence in the 21st Century: Not in Our
Pews - Debra Fields, Community Education and Prevention Coordinator for
Sojourner Family Peace Center. This workshop will discuss current practices in domestic violence prevention and intervention and how congregations and individual church members can support families living with abuse and violence.
Women’s Ministry 101 & Beyond - Mrs. Karen Lippert, Director of Women’s
Ministry, Divine Redeemer, Hartland. What is happening for women at your church? How are your women involved? Is it working? What could you try doing to enhance your current ministry? Come ready to share and learn from each other!
8100 W Capitol Dr.
Milwaukee, WI 53222
Ph: 414-464-8100
swd.lcms.org
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
South Wisconsin District - LCMS Passionate Believers Conference
Saturday, February 4, 2017 8:00 a.m. Registration
8:45 a.m. Opening
2:30 p.m. Closing
Held at: Divine Redeemer Lutheran Church & School N48 W31385 Hill St., Hartland, WI 53029
CONFERENCE FEE
$25.00 per person
$75.00 per church Fee includes presenters, materials and meals
REGISTER by Friday, January 27, 2017 ONLINE: swd.lcms.org/registration
(or) Contact Barb Slak
414-292-0745 [email protected]
Hotel Accommodations Radisson Hotel Milwaukee West
414-257-3400
2303 N Mayfair Rd., Milwaukee
$89 per night
Holiday Inn Express
262-646-7077
3030 Golf Rd., Delafield
$89 per night
LaQuinta
262-395-1162
2801 Hillside Dr., Delafield
$71.10 per night
The South Wisconsin District is not responsible for your
room charges. When making your reservation, mention the
“SWDCON” to receive your discounted rate.
Hotel discounted rate deadline, January 4, 2017.
