Church and Change 2007
Workshops
Adult Discipleship
Doom Has Come Upon Us All! Church and Change Rides Again!
101
EXTREME MAKEOVER: CHURCH EDITION
[GJ – Note the creative title, copying TV]
Pastor Adam Mueller (pastormueller@yahoo.com)
Is your congregation stuck in the mud? Has attendance plateaued? Are offerings stagnant?
Maybe your congregation needs an extreme makeover. Here’s the story of how God did just
that in a small, rural congregation in central Indiana. Learn how he led them to act boldly, and
now is blessing their efforts to spread the Gospel.
Adam Mueller serves Peace Lutheran Church in Kokomo, Indiana. He recently led his rural
congregation to relocate inside the city and is now spearheading aggressive outreach
initiatives.
102
WHEN OPRAH CAME TO CLASS
[GJ – The Reformed believe the Word needs to be marketed.]
(Making Creative And Visual Bible Studies)
Pastor Tadd Fellers (pastor@grace-charlotte.org)
Tap into your creativity in developing and promoting your classes with PowerPoint and other
media. Spice up your Bible studies. Capture interest. See ways you can create multi-sensory
lessons without being gimmicky. Discover how to relate current events and timely topics to the
Bible’s timeless truths. (For example, the presenter once did a Bible study on Postmodernism
and entitled it “The Oprah-ization of America.” Thus the title of this workshop.)
Tadd Fellers serves Grace Lutheran in Charlotte, NC, a congregation with a large childcare
center; they are presently considering starting a daughter congregation. He enjoys tinkering
with multimedia in Bible classes and worship
103
GROWING YOUR CONGREGATION’S STAFF FROM WITHIN
[GJ - A D.Min. from Fuller is not a Doctor, he is a fawning disciple. MLC is broke, thanks to Church Growth disciples like Lawrence Otto Olson, D.Min., Fuller Seminary.]
Dr. Lawrence Olson (OlsonLO@mlc-wels.edu)
The WELS Congregational Assistant Program (CAP) encourages and equips members, men
and women alike, for a broader ministry within a congregation. When men who have
demonstrated aptitude for ministry desire further training toward the goal of pastoral ministry,
they may seek the support of the WELS Pastoral Studies Institute (PSI), which guides and
assists these men from a broad cultural spectrum through their pre-seminary and seminary
training. These two training and equipping programs both stand on their own and can also
work together. Discover how you might be able to use these programs in your own setting.
Lawrence Olson directs both the CAP and the Staff Ministry Program at Martin Luther College
in New Ulm, MN
104
PRIMING PASSION AND PERFORMANCE
[GJ – Oooh. CrossWalk. Cute title. Probably everything is cute there.]
Pastor Jeff Gunn (jeff@crosswalkinlaveen.org)
Ministry is a stewardship—a management task. We all go through those times in the ministry
when we feel like we’re drowning in a sea of detail and drained from trying to do too much. So,
we’re constantly looking for ways to more faithfully manage the ministry God has given us.
Engage in dialogue on the issue of how we as pastors, teachers, and volunteers can keep on
learning and growing so that, with the help of God, we remain passionate, ready for whatever
God throws at us, and perform productively as we manage our ministries.
Jeff Gunn is pastor at CrossWalk Lutheran Ministries in Phoenix, AZ. CrossWalk is a mission
congregation that was started in March of 2004 in the rapidly expanding Laveen community of
southwest Phoenix, with Arizona Lutheran Academy’s gymnasium as its worship facility. God
has blessed the congregation’s worship attendance, increasing it from its original core group to
250 souls/Sunday in 2 ½ years! A former missionary and WELS high school religion instructor,
Jeff has a passion for both outreach and education.
105
GRANT WRITING 101
[GJ – Isn’t this what made WELS broke, depending on others for money?]
Pastor Ken and Kim Fisher (Pastor@RisenSavior-Luth.org)
Explore your organization’s ability to identify potential funding sources for expanding your
ministry through grant writing. Learn the basics of grant writing. Do you know how to research
and identify potential foundations that might match your needs? Want to know how you can
enhance your ministry’s resources while enhancing your congregational stewardship? Broaden
your understanding of the requirements and processes for both private foundation and federal
grants for faith-based initiatives that are available. The seminar will provide essential
information for those interested in learning the basic requirements of successful grant writing.
Ken serves at the Senior Pastor at Risen Savior and leads its development efforts. He has
written over a million dollars in successful grants with numerous foundations for the expansion
of Risen Savior’s ministry and its two recent major building phases. During the past 5 years,
the congregation’s offerings have continued to expand while the church’s communicant
membership more than doubled.
Kim serves as Dean of Students at Risen Savior and administers the Milwaukee Urban
Inclusion Collaborative which assists a coalition of WELS urban schools committed to
ministering to at-risk youth in the central city. Kim brings unique experience of writing for and
securing competitive federal grants specifically designed for faith- based initiatives.
106
MEETING THE NEEDS OF TODAY'S FAMILIES
(Creative Ideas Any Church Can Do)
Pastor Bill Heiges (wheiges@emanuelnl.org)
Everyone knows the importance of strong families for our congregations. Strong families =
strong church. But today's families include fractured families, blended families and single
parent families. Learn how you can discover the pressing needs of the families you serve.
Walk away with an arsenal of creative ideas any church (from mission to mega) can do to
strengthen their families with the Word of God.
Bill Heiges is a pastor on staff at Emanuel, New London, WI. He also serves as the
Coordinator of Family Ministry on the Commission on Adult Discipleship for the WELS
107
CREATING A CULTURE OF GENEROSITY IN YOUR CHURCH
Jeffrey Davis (jeff@joyfulgiving.net)
What is a generous church? How do we teach God’s people to excel in the grace of giving?
When a congregation is transformed by Jesus’ message that “It is more blessed to give than to
receive” (Acts 20:35), what does it look like? Preaching and teaching about money is not
something we should ignore. Jesus, on numerous occasions, addressed the issue of money
and possessions. He knew that God’s people throughout the ages would face challenges and
temptations of wealth. The formula for creating a culture of generosity is very simple – through
God’s Word preach it, teach it, and celebrate it! This workshop will share ideas and give
examples for churches intent on creating cultures marked by strong financial stewardship and
biblically guided generosity. Jeff’s ideas for God’s leaders on creating cultures of generosity
within Lutheran congregations will be helpful and biblically based.
Jeffrey Davis has served the Lutheran church as teacher, administrator and presently, as
consultant. He is owner of Cornerstone Stewardship Ministry, a consulting firm that teaches
stewardship.
108
A POSITIVE VIEW OF BELIEVERFS [SIC] IS REALISTIC…AND PRACTICAL!
[GJ – The poor man cannot spell. Did he attend MLC, where the president cannot spell college?]
Pastor Mark Cares (Mcares@cableone.net)
The Corinthian congregation was filled with a bunch of misfits, deadbeats, and blatant sinners.
Not to St. Paul. It's amazing to see how highly he regards them even though he has to
admonish them for many things they are doing. Paul didn't let their sins cloud the glory of their
status in Christ. And he did that not just with the Corinthians. He and the other biblical writers
always spoke positively to and about believers.
Speaking positively to believers is not only biblical and thus realistic, it is also extremely
practical. In this workshop, we will look at Paul's example and then make applications to
worshipping, witnessing, and the encouraging of each other.
Mark Cares is pastor of Messiah Lutheran, Nampa Idaho and is the founder of Truth in Love
Ministry, an outreach ministry to Mormons.
109
LEARNING TO TEACH ADULTS TODAY
[GJ – Enhance the Bible with the latest theories.]
Pastor Dave Kehl (Dave.Kehl@sab.wels.net)
How can we best draw people into the life-giving words of Scripture to discover the mysteries
unfolded for their lives? Brain research, cultural awareness and technological advances bring
new insights on how adults learn. This workshop will look at 4 basic areas of brain discovery
that help increase the learning connection. During the workshop we will also discuss and
demonstrate 6 techniques available to enhance the communication of Bible truths to our
audiences today.
Pastor Kehl is Administrator of WELS Adult Discipleship and Director of Milwaukee Institute of
Christian Studies for the development of spiritual growth and lay leadership. He comes with
parish ministry experience in and out of the US representing a wide variety of congregational
sizes and settings.
110
UNLOCK YOUR LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL WITH COACHING
[GJ – Tony Robbins has put his pod people into WELS. The horror!]
Pastor Mike and Christy Geiger [GJ – Note the leaders. It sounds like both are pastors. Not quite, but sliding into that frame of mind. Other couples are listed the same way, as in saying, "We are pregnant." Really?]
(mgeiger@nc.rr.com, christy@synergystrategies.com)
One of the most effective things you can do to see God's empowerment in your gospel ministry
is (http://www.coachnet.org/en/coaching) coaching. Whether for yourself or others, coaching
allows one to help move others toward fulfilling the vision God has placed in his or her heart. [GJ - This is felony stupid and false doctrine as well. Oh, she's a professional coaching coach, like Tony Robbins, who has never done anything in his life except coach coaching to the coaching-starved masses for big bucks.]
The growing industry of coaching… What is it? How does it work? Coaching is a word
commonly and loosely used to mean mentoring, training, cheerleading, etc. On a deep level,
coaching has an art and science to it in order to be used most effectively. Learn about the profession, discover how coaching can support your growth and development, and understand how to develop your skills as a coach/leader. When you have the strategies, tools and skills not only will you have greater focus but you can coach your leaders and members for increased growth and effectiveness. Developing the soft skills of personal development, vision,
passion, focus, goals, time mastery, leadership, performance, accountability, can greatly
enhance your ability to be productive in ministry AND have life balance. We are all constantly
developing as we seek to leverage our strengths and minimize our weaknesses. What greater
ability would you have to impact Kingdom work if you challenged yourself to your “next level”
and coached your leaders to theirs?
Both as pastors [SIC] kids, Mike and Christy have been raised in the church and love the ministry.
Mike is pastor at Tree of Life Lutheran Church, called in 1997 to establish and develop the
mission. Through the phases of ministry and the challenge of developing leaders, Mike has
seen the value coaching has to further ministry and support leaders to stay clear, focused and
motivated.
After getting her masters in Marriage Family Child counseling and working in corporate
America in HR, Christy then started her own coaching company, www.synergystrategies.com,
in 2002 as a certified business & life coach. [GJ - They should list my websites. I coach Lutheran doctrine for free.] Navigating the “personal growth and development”
field, which is heavily influenced by the humanistic and “new age” movement, Christy has
looked to Mike as a sounding board and anchor to take the best of the coaching skills, process
and principles. [GJ - Work on plural possessives, please.]
111
DEVELOP THE COURAGE NOT TO PLAN YOUR MINISTRY
[GJ - As if this conference has not been planned to mess up WELS for good. Witte is Mr. Liberal.]
Dr. Steve Witte (pastorwitte0906@sbcglobal.net)
Do you carefully plan your ministry and invite God to bless those plans? Do you find it difficult
to say “no” to our own “great” plans, while waiting for God to reveal his own perfect plan which
he has prepared in advance for you to do (Ephesians 2:10)? It is not always easy to determine
which ideas or strategies are based on our own selfish ideas and passions – and which ideas
come from God himself. Consider your ministry planning model. How much room is there for
God in it? In this workshop consider a planning model based on prayer, patience, and
preparation – mixed with a healthy dose of common sense.
Dr. Steve Witte serves as pastor of Beautiful Savior, Green Bay, Wisconsin. He is co-founder of
the WELS Prayer Institute. In addition, Steve serves the WELS as a part time lead consultant
through Parish Assistance. Together with Ed Schuppe, he also serves as spiritual advisor to
Jars of Clay Ministries co-founded by his sister, Sharon Buck, and Karen Harmon.
Women’s Ministries
201
A PIECE FOR YOU AND A PEACE TO SHARE
(Sharing Women’s Ministry Ideas)
Jane Schlenvogt (Jane.Schlenvogt@westside-christian.org)
Would you like to activate your women for ministry but don’t know where to start? Holding a
focus group to discover your congregation’s needs, planning an outreach event for women,
training your leaders and new ideas for service are a few of the topics in this sectional. A CD of
formatted files of materials will be available for purchase.
Jane Schlenvogt is an author and a teacher in the Lutheran Elementary School and member
of the Women’s Ministry Team, St. Andrew, Middleton, Wisconsin.
202
WELS "WOMEN LEADERS – NO LONGER AN OXYMORON
[GJ – Where is the second quotation mark?]
Mrs. Kathie Wendland (ehwend@lakefield.net)
Join us for a reprise of the WELS Women Leadership Conference originally held 7/7/07 at
Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. While touching on the three Bible studies which were led by
three Pastor/laywoman teams, the discussion will be centered on the keynote address which
Kathie Wendland "sort of" presented. Teaching styles and methods more prevalent among
women will be used. This will be a Bible study of leadership styles used by women in Scripture,
a sort of an "ugly, bad, and good" look at them. A Bible is necessary and registration is
necessary as advance study will be encouraged and advance material sent.
Kathie is a registered nurse who's been serving on the Women's Ministry Committee of the
WELS for 4 years. Copies of the new Bible study, "Heirs Together of God's Gracious Gift of
Life," produced by the WMC will be available at this conference. [GJ - Heirs Together is the name of Stadler's Ground-Breaking Essay on promoting ELCA doctrine. Stadler left WELS, but like Satan, left his stink behind when he departed, to paraphrase Chemnitz. C and C leaders: "Who's Chemnitz?" Knowing their grammar,editing, and spelling skills, more like, "Whose Chemnitz?]
203
LOOKIN’ FOR LOVE IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES
[GJ - Does the description below make any sense at all?]
Sharon Buck and Karen Harmon
(sbuck@newulmtel.net, jkyharmon@cox.net)
We believers are designed to enjoy our loving relationship with God, but sometimes we don’t
fully realize that we’re meant to experience lives of such passion and purpose that the world is
changed forever. Unfortunately, our culture has changed us more than we have changed it.
We’ve forgotten how to “be in love” with God “because he first loved us” Our response to the
“lover of our souls” may be/seem apathetic, even cold, when it comes to sharing the saving
truth of the gospel with others. “Fools in love” drive people crazy talking about their experience.
We Christians need the same compelling attitude of “love foolishness.” Recapturing the
intense feelings of devotion and euphoria that pure love with God engenders, starts with the
heart ---our own. Christians, especially women, are uniquely created and positioned to share
the love of God with others. Explore ways to revitalize your own sacred romance with God and
compassion for lost souls. Have you lost that lovin’ feelin?
Sharon Buck and Karen Harmon are co-founders of Jars of Clay Ministries, a non-profit
“support system”, established to identify, equip and encourage spiritually mature laywomen to
recognize and respond effectively to gospel outreach opportunities.
204
PLANNING AND DEVELOPING A WOMEN’S GROUP BIBLE STUDY AND
BECOMING
A STUDENT OF THE WORD
Susan L. Hopkins (slhopkins@sbcglobal.net)
This sectional will give you ideas on how to start a ladies’ Bible study in your church and find/
develop selections of Bible study materials. If a woman wants to lead a Bible study she must
be a student of the Word. Encouragement will be given on how to privately study and gain
knowledge from God’s Word. BRING YOU BIBLES AND IDEAS!
Sue received a BA in Economics and Management, Oakland University and a BS in Education,
Dr. Martin Luther College. She has been an Instructional Learning Professional in Food
Service, Education, and Retail. She has taught in Lutheran Elementary Schools, a Lutheran
High School, and served as a Coordinator for Vacation Bible School, and Sunday School. She
is employed by the Wisconsin Ev. Lutheran Synod in the Board for World Missions area. She
has presented numerous sectionals at Retreats and Teachers Conventions.
Children and Youth
301
WHICH NICHE?
Pastor Paul Steinberg (pastors@charter.net)
Explore with others some creative ways to reach out to the children in your community that are
inviting to Jesus-less parents and kids. You will leave with a plan from your experience for your
environment. Each person will also receive a free set of visual Bible stories useful for all ages.
Paul Steinberg has served as a pastor at a small, medium and now large WELS congregation
and has started creative child outreach programs at each. Some programs grew as large as
100+ children per week attending resulting in 30-40 baptisms yearly.
302
YOUR SUNDAY SCHOOL IS DEAD—WHO WILL DO THE FUNERAL?
[GJ – Doubtless these people can market the Gospel in an appealing and successful way.]
(Transforming your Children’s Ministry into the best hour of a child’s week)
Pastor Bob and Mary Beth Knippel (bobknippel@ourredeemermadison.org) [GJ - Are they both pastors? As WELS pastors say, It could be understood correctly.]
Children are bombarded by vibrant media—television, video games and MP3 players. Should
we be surprised that the “Sunday School” model may be due for an overhaul? Take from this
workshop all you need to conduct Sunday school’s funeral and begin a new chapter in
Children’s ministry. Touch their senses with music, crafts, drama, intentional shepherding and
develop deep and lasting relationships with their Savior Jesus. Christ-Light curriculum is
utilized!
Bob and Mary Beth Knippel serve at Our Redeemer, Madison, Wisconsin, a 55 year old
congregation with a genuine spirit for community outreach ministry. They have experienced
both the successes and the failures of challenging their members to create an inspirational and
interactive program of learning that engages children and adults of all ages.
303
WHY ARE WELS YOUTH LEAVING?
[GJ – Being hip did not work, that’s why. Of course, WELS hip is not very hip at all. More importantly, God does not bless false doctrine.]
Dr. Joel Nelson (Joel.Nelson@sab.wels.net)
WELS Youth Discipleship recently conducted a national research study seeking answers to
this question: Why do young people leave WELS? The study, done by a professional, non-
WELS researcher, presented the findings in 11 actionable recommendations. This presentation
will share more about this landmark study by answering the following questions:
-Why did WELS CYD do the study?
-How was the research methodology determined?
-Why did CYD select a non-WELS researcher?
-Who were the study participants?
-What were the findings?
-What have been the reactions to the findings?
-Where do we go from here?
Learn more about this important national research and discuss how WELS congregations can
use the recommendations as a catalyst for reflection, discussion, evaluation, and
improvement.
For the past 30 years, Joel Nelson has served the Lord and his people as a principal and
teacher in WELS schools in Chicago, IL and Santa Barbara, CA; as Youth and Family Minister
in the fourth largest congregation in WELS; as Associate Administrator for WELS Parish
Schools; and now as Administrator for WELS Youth Discipleship. He holds a B.S. in Education
(1978), an M.S. in Family Studies (1996), and an Ed.D. in Leadership for the Advancement of
Learning and Service (2005).
304
LIGHTHOUSE YOUTH CENTER—The Next Generation in Youth Ministry
Pastor James Buske (james.buske@lighthouseyouthcenter.com)
Struggling to reach out to your teens and unchurched youth? Is your congregation looking for
its place in the community? Then check out what a brand new ministry in the Northwest corner
of Milwaukee is doing to make connections with its community and youth. Lighthouse Youth
Center is a non profit mission outreach that is a “beacon for Christ” as it links inner city youth
with their Savior. It’s a safe structured place for youth to gather, have fun, meet new people,
receive Christian mentorship, and build a relationship with Jesus! (I sometimes think to myself
that it’s too easy of a concept!)
Pastor James Buske serves as the Executive Director of Lighthouse Youth Center, a mission
outreach to unchurched youth ages 10-18. God has blessed LYC with over 200 youth making
use of the facility in the first year. 70 youth have attended at least one worship service and 6
have been baptized!
Outreach/Evangelism
401
LUNA BLUE – AGORA AND AREOPAGUS [GJ – Note the emphasis on numbers, not on faithfulness to the Word.]
Pastor David Russow (dprussow@yahoo.com)
Coffee shops can prove to be gold mines in knowing and understanding the community in
which the Lord has planted pastor and people. They also may be key gathering points where
bridges can be built -for the Gospel -through building relationships with community leaders,
those who hold public office, are public servants. Paul did prospecting where the “spiritual
community” gathered at synagogue or riverside, but also in and among the community
gathered in agora and Areopagus. This workshop will discuss how to identify venues in the
community where such exchange and interchange can happen. With intentional involvement in
the community flow, exchange, and thought, there are blessings and cautions that will be
considered.
Having been involved in three WELS church starts out west, David Russow, now serves a
fourth: Redeeming Grace Lutheran, the newest ELS mission, Rogers, MN. After a year the
mission has grown by 150% and is in the process of building a multi-use facility.
402
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT OUTREACH EVENTS
Pastor Tim Gauger (cosrock_pastor@hotmail.com)
Looking for ways for your congregation to serve the community and at the same time generate
outreach opportunities? Community Involvement Outreach Events could be the answer. 5K
races, cancer walks, adopt-a-highway, food and clothing bank volunteers, Financial Peace
University, etc are some of the things Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church in Rockford, Michigan
does to involve its membership in its community through service and outreach. We will discuss
the lessons learned from years of planning and participating in such events. You will not only
gain ideas, but also practical resources for implementing your ideas.
Tim Gauger was the first resident missionary at Christ Our Savior, which has grown from its
core group to nearly 500 souls in the past 17 years.
403 WHAT’S GOING ON?
(Current ideas, What’s Working…]And What’s Not)
WELS Mission Counselors Ed Schuppeand John Huebner [GJ - Ideas work? Where in this liberal confab is the concept of the efficacy of God's Word?]
(eschuppe@charter.net, miscojohn@aol.com)
Our WELS mission counselors work with missionaries and mission congregations and others
around North America, from whom they learn many new ideas and best practices for reaching
out to the lost and for training and equipping members with the changeless Gospel. They also
study the culture, current trends, read heavily, monitor what others are doing, and attend
workshops and conferences as they prepare for their own presentations and workshops on
planning, leadership, teamwork, witnessing, healthy churches, worship, Christian maturity and
more. In all this, they are constant learners. These two men are teaming up in this fast-paced
workshop to share some of the things they have learned from WELS churches all over , from
their own experiences and from the materials, books, and conferences they have found
helpful. If time permits, they will take questions (may send them ahead of time).
John Huebner and Ed Schuppe have 67 years of pastoral experience between them and both
served in mission settings as well as growing parishes before accepting their current calls.
Worship
501 CREATING IRRESISTIBLE ENVIRONMENTS
[GJ - Very Reformed and anti-Lutheran.]
(Reaching People Through Contemporary Worship )
Pastor John Parlow (john.parlow@stmark-depere.org)
Explore transferable principles that will help you build a church for outsiders to come to and
hear truth that makes a difference now and for eternity. Now is the time to shed ethnic
rationalizations, personal preferences, and doomsday attitudes that are offered as excuses for
outreach failures. The truth is the Gospel is timelessly relevant, the church and its
representatives may or may not be relevant; the Gospel is timelessly efficacious, the church
and its representatives may or may not be effective. Let's talk about building ministries that are
dangerously Christian.
John Parlow serves as the lead pastor at St. Mark in De Pere, Wisconsin. St. Mark worships
over 1200 people and is currently building a 25,000 sq. ft. addition for children/family ministry
and a 6th weekend worship service that will offer an "upper room" atmosphere.
502 A MOVIE IS WORTH A MILLION WORDS
(Using Movie Clips For Sermons And Church Presentations)
Pastor Nathan Krause (nckrause1@verison.net)
[GJ - As I recall, Nathan was the guy in the front row of the class in 1987. He propped up his Triglotta under his chin and fell asleep every day. This is the guy to teach Movie Clips.]
In this day and age of visual communication and entertainment there is no better way to leave
a lasting impression with worshippers and group attendees than with the perfect movie clip.
Learn how to find, manipulate and use video clips for worship and presentations.
Nathan Krause has been honing his experience with the use of visual message delivery and
movie clips for the past 8 years serving Abiding Shepherd in Cottage Grove, WI – a mission
congregation of the ELS that has grown to almost 300 members.
503 OH THE DRAMA OF IT ALL!
(Drama In Worship For Beginners)
Pastor John and Angela Stelljes (butterfly.peapod@gmail.com)
Props, people, lights, scripts, cues, transitions. . .and God's Word. If you are thinking about
doing drama in worship but don't know where to begin, this workshop is for you! In the midst of
the drama that comes with doing drama in worship learn some tips, tools and techniques for
focusing on the one thing needful.
Angela and John Stelljes studied theatre in college, and have performed and provided
technical expertise for numerous performance companies. They have utilized drama in ministry
settings around the country. John is currently tent minister at King of Kings in Maitland, Florida.
Their most recent production was the birth of Jonah Stelljes on January 22nd.
504 DRAMALOGUE
(Advanced Drama In Worship)
Pastor John and Angela Stelljes (butterfly.peapod@gmail.com)
You've written sketches for the church? Perhaps you've played a shepherd boy more than
once. Want to share what you've learned about drama in worship with others? Come join us for
an in-depth dialogue of what works and what really doesn't when using drama in worship.
Bring scripts and experiences to share with others.
Angela and John Stelljes studied theatre in college, and have performed and provided
technical expertise for numerous performance companies. They have utilized drama in ministry
settings around the country. John is currently tent minister at King of Kings in Maitland, Florida.
Their most recent production was the birth of Jonah Stelljes on January 22nd.
505 SEEING VISIONS
(Developing Your Worship Arts Ministry)
Peter Schaewe (pschaewe@sjlwels.org)
In this highly visual age, imagery can be an effective tool for making connections to the Word
and for holding the attention of worshipers. This presentation is meant to inspire you and your
church’s visual arts ministry by showing examples of contemporary worship art, by discussing
how to establish a creative, collaborative team of “artists,” and by providing a little hands-on
creative experience (No, artistic skills are not required. Come for the inspiration!).
Peter Schaewe is a staff minister at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Jefferson, WI. He has
served as the Worship Arts Chairman for the WELS National Conference on Worship, Music,
and the Arts in 2002 and 2005, and is presently working on art for the 2008 conference.
506
IN THE BEGINNING…YOUR GUIDE TO STARTING YOUR OWN
ALTERNATIVE WORSHIP EXPERIENCE
[GJ - Here is an alternative service for WELS. The Lutheran Hymnal. The historic liturgy, 16 centuries old and dating back to Old Testament liturgical worship. Non-feminist hymns. Non-feminist creeds. A real sermon, not one of Nathan Krause's reel sermons. Closed communion rather than open communion.]
Pastor James “Ski” Skorzewski and Staff Minister Brian Davison
(james.skorzewski@stmarcus.com, brian.davison@stmarcus.com)
Changes are taking place in the worship world. There still remains a strong interest in blended
and contemporary worship among many in our midst. A number of WELS congregations have
been conducting blended or contemporary services for years. What have they learned about
getting started? This workshop will provide help and guidance from someone who has
undertaken the process at St. Marcus in Milwaukee. Topics to be discussed include how to
begin a blended/contemporary service in a small/traditional congregation so that everyone is
blessed; recruiting musicians, vocalists, and technical persons; equipment needs; stage
presence; best music to use at the start; copyright matters; music/worship sources (websites,
friends, etc…); use of contemporary liturgies; establishing a WELS network for those
interested in helping each other with materials, ideas, and encouragement; and the awakening
need for more joyful experiential worship in our midst.
“Ski” currently serves as the associate pastor as St. Marcus Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Milwaukee, WI.
Brian serves as staff minister in the area of worship.
507
WHAT DO YOU MEAN, “BLENDED WORSHIP?”
[GJ - Mark means diluting the liturgical service until the Baptists and Pentecostals whoop for joy.]
Pastor Mark Jeske (majeske@ameritech.net)
Is it better to keep contemporary and traditional Lutheran worship separate, or can they be
combined? How do you bring about change in a congregation fearful of change? What are the
comparative strengths of traditional and contemporary styles? Is it essentially un-Lutheran to
have a praise band? What are the various flavors of "contemporary"? Is Gospel just for black
folks? Are drumming and stained glass compatible?
Mark is in his 27th year as pastor of St. Marcus Lutheran, which has experienced much change
and growth in its church and large school in downtown Milwaukee. He is also seen by more
than 150 thousand viewers every week as the speaker for Time of Grace Television Ministries,
plus additional contacts through their radio and publishing ministry and the Armed Forces
Network. You may have seen him as the enthusiastic pianist for the “United Voices of Praise”
touring gospel choir.
