Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is pleased to announce its summer 2008 series of on-campus workshops for pastors, professional church workers and interested lay persons. Three workshops, covering a variety of subjects, are offered on-campus, and taught by members of the Concordia Seminary faculty.

“Technology in the Parish” will be offered by Prof. Anthony Cook, June 2-4. Cook is assistant professor of practical theology and director of educational technology at Concordia Seminary.

“Technology in the Parish” focuses on the various uses of technology within the congregational context. The workshop explores the use of technology in the areas of education, worship, administration and outreach. The workshop covers the appropriate use of technology in the parish, demonstration of various available technologies and practical how-to instruction. No technical expertise is required.

The cost for the workshop is $125. Registration and payment is due May 12, and a minimum enrollment is required in order for the workshop to be held.

“Help for Mid-sized Congregations” will be offered by Dr. David Peter, July 28-30. Peter is associate professor of practical theology at Concordia Seminary.

The core functions of pastoral ministry are consistent no matter what the size of a congregation. Nevertheless, sociological and organizational dynamics related to the sheer number of people in the congregational system influence the pastor’s ability effectively to serve the flock. This workshop looks at the distinctive dynamics of a mid-size congregation (150-400 worshippers on an average weekend) so that the pastor may adjust his style of leadership in ministry in a way that is most effective. The workshop will also present three models of organizational structure that the pastor may discern how to best organize laypeople in a congregation of this size to accomplish its mission. Finally, since the demands of a mid-size congregation necessitate additional staff (full or part-time), participants will review guidelines for adding staff and practices for building up a ministry leadership team.

The cost for the workshop is $125. Registration and payment is due July 7, and a minimum enrollment is required in order for the workshop to be held.

“Martin Luther for the Parish Pastor” will be offered by Dr. Timothy Dost, August 11-13. Dost is associate professor of historical theology at Concordia Seminary.

“Martin Luther for the Parish Pastor” examines passages and concepts from Luther useful for parish ministry. Regarding concepts, issues of the two kinds of righteousness, justification by grace through faith, the relationship between Holy Scripture and the Word and the two or three kingdoms, anfechtungen (bad stuff and feelings) and other issues will be explored, paying special attention to passages of Luther useful to the parish pastor. Additionally, passages from the letters and table talk, as well as presentations of accounts of Luther’s life and problems he faced, will highlight issues for the parish pastor today.

The cost for the workshop is $125. Registration and payment is due July 21, and a minimum enrollment is required in order for the workshop to be held.

Click here to register. For more information, contact the Office of Continuing Education and Parish Services, Concordia Seminary, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO 63105; (314) 505-7486; ce@csl.edu .

LCMS Youth Ministry, part of LCMS District and Congregational Services, provides training and networking opportunities through its conferences and resources, available throughout 2008. “As we serve districts and congregations as the Youth Ministry Office of the LCMS, these annual conferences and resources are key ways LCMS meets its vision for youth ministry,” shares Gretchen Jameson, associate director for LCMS Youth Ministry. “That vision is to faithfully lead, serve, resource and network those at work in congregational settings with hope and celebration in the name of Jesus Christ.”

Two annual conferences are available for congregational youth workers. The 2008 NATIONAL Lutheran Youth Workers Conference is scheduled for July 10-13, 2008 in Indianapolis, IN. “In addition to more than 20 workshop topics, daily Bible study, General Sessions, and fellowship opportunities, 2008 attendees also have the option to dig deeply into one topic of great interest to their ministry,” shares Jameson. The event’s new “Youth Ministry Intensives” led by Concordia University System faculty include: Adolescent Development and Spiritual Nurture, Confirmation and Youth Ministry Influence, Worship and Youth, Teaching for Influence: The "Teaching" Youth Ministry, and Building Youth to be Congregational Leaders.

Registration for NATIONAL is open online at www.NLYWC.com . Each January, the YM Symposium Series focuses on current issues in youth and congregational ministry. Designed as a smaller event, 115 professional church workers, district leaders and lay youth workers gathered to discuss young adult ministry in LCMS congregations. YM2009: Catechesis in a "Spiritual" Age is scheduled for Jan. 9-11, 2009 in Houston.

Keynote presenter, Dr. Lisa Kimball, youth development leadership program coordinator for the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, and research assistant with the Search Institute, will join Rev. Dr. John Oberdeck of Concordia University Wisconsin to explore the impact of a recent 15-country study on adolescent spirituality in the context of Lutheran youth ministry.

thESource for Youth Ministry, online at www.youthesource.com , provides cost-free access to articles, editorials, Bible studies, skits, and talk sheets for use in the Lutheran congregation.

Concordia Seminary will be the site of the “Writing for the Church” Workshop July 20-26. This intensive one-week workshop, co-sponsored by Concordia Publishing House and Concordia Seminary, will help participants develop creative writing and editing skills, explore possibilities of writing for publication, convey the Good News of grace and forgiveness in Jesus Christ through their written word, and interact with Concordia Publishing House (CPH) and Lutheran Hour Ministry (LHM) editors.

The workshop will address writing on all levels and allow participants to follow special interests as they attend mini-lectures, engage in writing exercises, and consult with peers and individual editors for critiques. Fellowship activities are also planned. Topics to be covered in the workshop include writing of religion-lesson materials for all levels and agencies of Christian education, feature articles, devotional literature, family and children’s literature and writing to reach the post-modern mind and heart.

Presenters will include Dr. Rodney Rathmann, senior editor of day and midweek materials, Concordia Publishing House; Rev. Edward Engelbrecht, senior editor of Bibles and church resources, Concordia Publishing House; Jane Wilke, developmental editor, Lutheran Hour Ministries; and selected editors from the Concordia Publishing House church resource, academic and professional books, and families and children’s book development departments.

The cost of the workshop is $185 for tuition (includes CEU); $320 for room and board at Concordia Seminary; $140 for meals only; and approximately $25-$30 for textbooks. Undergraduate and graduate credits are available through Concordia University, St. Paul, Minn. For an additional $595 (3 undergraduate credits) or $895 (3 graduate credits). The class size is limited to 20 participants. Late registrations will be put on a waiting list.

For more information or registration materials, call (314) 505-7486 or e-mail ce@csl.edu.

Wheat Ridge Ministries recently approved 14 grants totaling $73,844 to support sabbatical experiences for professional church workers. Wheat Ridge believes that sabbatical leave for rest and renewal is a significant way that congregations can support and encourage the health and wellness of church leaders.

“Wheat Ridge Ministries is pleased to be able to provide these sabbatical grants for several important reasons,” said Brian Becker, vice president of ministry programs at Wheat Ridge Ministries. “First, full-time church work is one of the most stressful vocations today. Second, we are seeing that well-planned sabbaticals provide a critical time and place that re-energize both the leader and the congregation. It's our hope that this pilot program will encourage all Lutheran congregations to adopt an effective sabbatical policy.”

The grants will be used specifically for sabbatical experiences for professional church workers. Within these guidelines, funds may be invested in the following ways: salary and benefits for additional staff during the sabbatical period; costs related to assistance provided by a sabbatical interim worker; travel expenses related to the sabbatical experience; education expenses related to the sabbatical experience.

For additional information regarding Wheat Ridge Ministries’ sabbatical resources or to see congregations where church workers received sabbaticals, visit the Web site at www.wheatridge.org .

The 2008 Southern Illinois District LWML District Convention will be held on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 19-20, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and School in Collinsville. The theme will be “Witness to the Rock of Salvation.”

The convention will open on Friday evening with a worship service. A reception and the Young Women Representative sponsored activity will immediately follow.  

Saturday will be filled with Bible study, Mission Moments from several previous grant recipients, the Mission Grant Presentation, officer reports, the election of officers, keynote presentations booths, music and “purplemericials.” Both days will be filled with Christ’s love and fellowship.

The theme, “Witness to the Rock of Salvation,” is based on Isaiah 44:8. “Do not tremble do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witness. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.”

Mark your calendars now. Check the SID web site at www.sidlwml.org  for updated information.