| Connecting with Your Community
Presenter: Rev. Mark Dressler, Dean of the Central District Theological Lay School and Third Vice-President of Lutheran Church-Canada
Churches tend to be an island unto themselves. Are there ways your congregation can better connect to its surrounding community? This session will explain creative ways that various Lutheran churches have formed ties within their communities. Time will also be given for attendees to share ideas that have worked in their parishes.
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Exciting and Empowering Outreach Teams
Presenter: Dr. Phil Johnson, Coordinator of the Director of Christian Outreach Program, Concordia University-St. Paul, Minnesota
Christian outreach is meant to be a "team" activity, but there are different types of teams with different "player positions" on each team. Using this simple metaphor we will explore how you can be encouraged as you equip others to engage in exciting and empowering outreach teams!
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Funding Success! Strategies for Gaining Financial Support for Mission
Presenter: Harold Melser, Director of Ministry Advancement, Lutheran Hour Ministries
This workshop focuses on equipping organizations and congregations to develop winning, creative strategies for linking God's people with His mission through their gifts. Participants will learn methods of planning income-producing approaches designed to meet the income and financial security needs of donors. You will also see examples of successful strategies developed at LHM.
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Getting Out into their World: Creative Strategies for Youth Ministry
Presenter: Deacon Melissa McNeil, La Ronge, Saskatchewan
Studies have shown that more and more youth today are finding the church irrelevant. Sometimes, as youth leaders, we feel defeated by this fact and wonder how we can possibly compete with the things of the world to bring our young people back. However, as this workshop will explore, sometimes getting youth "into" the church simply means going out into their world. Join Deacon Melissa as she shares some humorous insights from her youth ministry experiences and discusses some innovative strategies being used to share the love of Christ with the young people in her community.
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Growing Your Outreach Efforts When Your City Shrinks
Presenter: Rev. Dr. Glenn Schaeffer, Executive Assistant-Outreach, Alberta-British Columbia District of Lutheran Church-Canada
As factories and businesses shut down and families migrate to more prosperous communities, one might assume that opportunities for outreach shrink in proportion to the rate of depopulation. Learn why this is not so as Dr. Schaeffer explains how during such trying times a local congregation can expand its outreach efforts and impact the people of the community with the love and mercy of the Lord.
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A Holistic Approach to Global Outreach
Presenter: Dr. Douglas Rutt, Director of International Ministries, Lutheran Hour Ministries
Jesus' approach to ministry was holistic because He cared for people in both body and soul. He not only preached about God's love, He demonstrated it by healing, feeding and caring for people's needs in this life. This workshop considers the relationship between proclaiming God's love and demonstrating it-and how that can be carried out in today's world.
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How Media Shapes the World We are Trying to Reach
Presenter: Dr. Ian Adnams, Principal Consultant, Adnams Group
From the printing press to Pinterest, media shapes the thinking and interaction of everyone-both Christian and not-yet-believer. Some studies suggest the online revolution affects not only how people think, but how the brain itself is wired. Discover if the world of instant information impacts how we share the Gospel.
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Martin Luther's Rain Shower and the Future of Christianity: What in the World is Going On?
Presenter: Dr. Douglas Rutt, Director of International Ministries, Lutheran Hour Ministries
God is working to "build His church" (Matthew 16:18). However, as Luther wrote, the Gospel is like a drifting rain shower, greening the land in one place, but eventually moving on to other places. See how Christianity is emerging globally during the 21st century and what it means for you and your congregation.
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MISSION U-102: Styles of Faith-Sharing
Presenter: Sarah Guldalian, Manager of Witness Training, Lutheran Hour Ministries
This snapshot from MISSION U will help participants recognize there is more than one way to be a witness. This session will reveal a number of witnessing styles and teach participants to apply each as they encounter unique individuals and scenarios.
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MISSION U-301: Christ Alone in a Coexist World
Presenter: Stephen Klinck, Managing Director, Lutheran Laymen's League of Canada
This snapshot from MISSION U examines the culture that defines present-day America. Participants will learn ways to bridge the gap between Christians and post-modern society by using points of connection to share the Gospel with relevance.
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Outreach to Men
Presenter: Rich Cohrs, Manager of District and Congregational Relations, Lutheran Hour Ministries
Statistics show that men are nominally involved in church activities. This sectional will share ideas and highlight successful ways the men of your congregation and community can be encouraged and inspired to grow into the active spiritual leaders God created them to be.
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Presenter: Elaine Bickel, Holey Knee Ministries
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses..." (Acts1:8). We know it is what God wants us to do. But how? What are you supposed to say? Isn't there something else you could do instead? You are a witness for God! You already witness in many ways you may not even realize. Find out how you can be even more intentional about witnessing in your own way.
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