South Wisconsin District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod > News & events > Events > Professional Church Workers Conference

Session selection is first come, first served. Changes may only be accommodated if extra seats are available.

Session 1

A -  Q&A with Ruth Koch - Sabbath-keeping for church workers
       In this sectional we’ll explore the special issues and blessings for church
       workers who keep the Sabbath and why it is an ultimate leap of faith for a
       church worker to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. In Sabbath,
       God promises and delivers spiritual blessings and renewed joy in service.
       Let’s talk about it.

B -  Q&A with Rev. Matt Harrison

C -  Eutychus Youth: Developing a Lutheran Framework for Youth Ministry
        - Rev. John Oberdeck

       Is youth ministry such a generic activity that it really makes no difference
       what my beliefs are about Scripture, justification, or the Sacraments? Is
       it all pretty much the same? And if there are a few distinctive qualities
       brought to youth ministry by Lutheran theology, what are they? How
       would I notice them? What would they look like in practice? Using the
       story of Eutychus from Acts 20, this sectional begins the exploration of
       Lutheran theology’s unique contribution to ministry with adolescents.
       Target Audience: Pastor, DCE, DCO, DFL, Deaconess, Lay Minister

D -  Lutheran schools as agents of change around the world - Bernard Bull
        Come explore a variety of creative and exiting ways that Lutheran schools
       are seeking to have a positive impact in lives and communities around the
        world.

E -  Fit 4 Him - Terri Anderson
       “For in Him we live and move and have our being.” Acts 17:28
       A Christian should be a “Hallelujah” from head to toe! We are given this
       one body for the rest of our life. Physical Education is an area where we
       can teach children how to be good stewards of this body that God created
       especially for us. Dress comfortably to try the activities that will have your
       K-8 students’ heart and muscles saying “Thank you!”

F -   Retirement/pre-retirement planning - Paul Snyder
       Today you are actively involved in fulfilling your ministry—and thoughts of
      retirement might not yet have crossed your mind. But what once seemed
      to be years away is coming closer!

       Planning is the key to a productive, secure, and enjoyable retirement.
       Don’t endanger what should be one of the most meaningful times of life
       through poor planning. This sectional is an introduction to the process of
       planning for retirement, and how Concordia Plan Services can help. It’s
       valuable for all ages, but especially for those who are age 50 or older. We
       touch on the following areas in our brief time together:
          •   Lifestyle – Having a clear idea of how you want to live and who you
              want to be in retirement.
          •   Financial Planning – Developing options to finance a fulfilling
              retirement.
          •   Health and Well-Being – Taking action now to be healthier in
              retirement, and also understanding health care needs in retirement.
          •   Living Arrangements – Giving you tools to evaluate your home or
              housing options. Helping you understand what’s right for you
              throughout retirement.
          •   Leisure and Work – Helping you evaluate how to achieve a balance
              that’s right for you of leisure, education, and work in light of your own
              personal goals.

       You might know what you’re retiring from … but what are you retiring for?

G -  Inner city ministry - Rev. Mark Jeske
      Once-thriving Lutheran ministries in central cities are melting away or gone.
      Is Lutheranism in the cities doomed? Can Lutheranism survive without an
      adequate supply of Germans? Is it possible to build a multi-racial Lutheran
      community? Pastor Mark Jeske has served in Milwaukee’s central city for
      over 30 years and will share stories and encouragement about St. Marcus
      Lutheran Church and School and Time of Grace television.

H -  Beginning a men's ministry in your church - Rich Cohrs
       Congregations that have an active men’s ministry tend to have more men
       involved in the life of the congregation and the community. The Men’s
       NetWork from Lutheran Hour Ministries has shown to be a tool that
       congregations can use to start a men’s ministry or to revitalize an existing
       ministry that may need a boost. This sectional will offer tips on how to
       engage men in Bible study, activities and more.

I -   Making Conflict a Positive: A Plan for Dealing with Difficult People
        – Tim Gieschen
       We all experience conflict but too often deal with it by simply avoiding
      conflict rather than resolving it. Techniques will be shared to help students
      and teachers use a Biblical and practical approach to manage conflict in a
      constructive way to grow relationships and ministry opportunities. “To live
       above with the saints we love – ah, that is the purest glory. To live below
       with the saints we know – now, that’s another story!”
       Target Audience: Administrators/Principals, Teachers, DCE, DCO,
       Deaconess, Lay Minister

J -   Maximizing Your Benefits - Steve Gruenwald, Concordia Plan Services
       This presentation will help you understand more about the many benefits
        you have available through the different Concordia Plans such as health
        insurance, disability insurance, death benefits, retirement benefits, a
        403(b) tax-deferred savings plan, and the new Be Well Rewards
        Incentive program.
        Target Audience: All

K -  Catechesis in the 21st centruy - Rev. Guy Roberts
       We have all heard the adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” But what if
       it is broken, wouldn’t the opposite be true? The problem with fixing
       confirmation is figuring out what the problem is. The issue isn’t our
       theology. Our theology is a treasure that makes sense of all of life and
       our kids need more of it not less of it. The problem isn’t old terms like
       Catechesis for this is the work of God’s people, to raise our children up
       in the Lord, the way in which they are to go. The problem isn’t found in
       disrespectful youth, short attention spans, poor parent involvement,
       horrible retention rates, the inability to relate by the Pastor or the
       Confirmation program being used. We have the tools, we have the
       theology, we have the youth and adults coming to us for all of it. So
       what’s the problem? Come hear my take on it and see what you think?

L -   Women's ministry - Karen Lippert
        In this session, participants will be exposed to the possibilities of
        reaching the women in their LCMS churches and schools. Once
        women are touched, their families often follow. Karen will present
        practical ideas in this area from her years of experience as the
        Women's Ministry Director at Divine Redeemer in Hartland, WI.

Session 2

A -  Day school dads involved in mens' ministry - Rich Cohrs
       What is the ratio of moms and dads that are involved in the life of your
       school? If you are average, you interact much more with mom than with
       dad. The Men’s NetWork from Lutheran Hour Ministries offers a proven
       vehicle to engage the dad’s of the school. This sectional will offer insights
       on how to activate dads and engage them in the life of the school.

B -  Christian World View - Brad Alles
       Find answers to the basic questions that all people ask, how to witness
       effectively today, and why it is essential that our Lutheran churches and
       schools teach the Truth in a Post-Modern age claiming that there is no
       truth.

C - Accommodating Students with Special Needs in the General
      Education Classroom - Dr. Linda Hensel
     ADHD, LD, ASD, TBI… What are these and how do I accommodate
      students with these disabilities in my classroom? Come explore how
      to make some accommodations in your classroom to assist students
     with mild disabilities. You can make it a win-win situation for all students
     (and yourself)!

D -  Inner city ministry - Rev. Mark Jeske
       Once-thriving Lutheran ministries in central cities are melting away or
       gone. Is Lutheranism in the cities doomed? Can Lutheranism survive
      without an adequate supply of Germans? Is it possible to build a
       multi-racial Lutheran community? Pastor Mark Jeske has served in
         Milwaukee’s central city for over 30 years and will share stories and
       encouragement about St. Marcus Lutheran Church and School and
       Time of Grace television.

E -  Q&A with President Wille and Mark L'Heureux
       Take thisopportunity to ask questions of your District President, Rev. Dr.
       John Wille and Education Executive, Mark L'Heureux regarding topics of
       your choice and to address areas in your specific ministry as related to the
       South Wisconsin District and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. This
       sectional may also be used to provide feedback of how the South
       Wisconsin District can better serve you. Other items that can be
       addressed are Reduction In Force policies, Rostered status and more.
       Target Audience: All

F -   Be Well... Serve Well - Steve Gruenewald, Concordia Plan Services
        Viewed through the Christian perspective of wellness, this presentation
        looks at how the health culture of our nation affects our physical health.
        Learn how to “Be Well” through healthier habits, watching portion sizes –
        and by utilizing the health and wellness programs of the Concordia
        Health Plan – so that you can better focus on your family and your
        ministry.
        Target Audience: All

G -  Teaching religion in a changing demographic: offering life and
        that to the fullest to a changing world - Rev. Dan Paavola
        We are the people of Reformation and Resurrection. Therefore, facing a
        world of change and decay is nothing new. But our electronic world, with
        digital distance and virtual friendship, is a new challenge. Our workshop
        will explore some of the benefits and obstacles of speaking the Gospel
        through digital communication and social networks. We'll also remind
        ourselves of the refreshing power of a living, omnipresent Lord and his
        simple story well told. Believing that God works through many means,
        we'll explore how many social media can be harnessed to express the
        Gospel. We'll also see how these same media reveal a need for
        personal warmth and understanding.

H -  Doctrine of Creation - Dr. Gary Locklair
        Ideas about origins are in the news and have a powerful influence on
        people. How did everything begin – was it naturally by evolution or
        supernaturally by creation? The answer to this question is important as it
       shapes a person’s view of life. Issues of origins are foundational to a
       worldview. The Doctrine of Creation concerns origins – how the universe,
        life, diverse living things and human beings came to be. During this
        session, we’ll see how both God’s Word (scripture) and God’s World
       (science) point powerfully to a recent, supernatural creation. We’ll also
        explore why the Doctrine of Creation matters. One way for Christians to
        “declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His
        wonderful light” is to understand and share the Doctrine of Creation.

I -   We are one in the Spirit! - Terri Anderson
       “But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that
       lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts
       should have equal concern for each other.” 1 Cor. 12:24-25.
       Do you want to build a spirit of cooperation and unity among your
       students? Teambuilding is crucial to developing trust and respect.
       “Plays well with others” is a trait that is important to develop at every
         age. Dress comfortably to try out many activities that can be used
       immediately in the classroom or gym for students in grades
       Kindergarten through eighth grade.

J -   10 amazing opportunities for ministry in a digital age - Bernard Bull
        Come explore 10 ways that Lutheran schools and churches can involves
       youth in using emerging technologies in order to make a difference in
        their local community and beyond.

K -  Looking for the Phoenix Effect - Rev. John Oberdeck
       Most professional church workers are persons who want to serve, and
       serve well. As a result, many PCWs have difficulty saying no. This
       presentation looks at issues of stress and over commitment, asking the
       question of whether or not we can rise from the ashes when we have
       burned up. The presentation also looks at the roles of friends and
       co-workers in responding to the over committed. Attendees will be guided
       through a case study.
       Target Audience: Pastor, Administrator/Principal, Teacher, DCE, DCO,
        DFL, Deaconess, and Lay Minister.

Sectionals -