Pastors, their families, and congregations are exhausted. This has been a time of too many challenges and too many decisions. And, yet, God remains faithful even in the hardest of times. God’s faithfulness enables and enlivens us for such a time as this. When we are exhausted, God gives us rest. When fearful, God declares, “Fear not!” When confounded by this world, God comforts us with His faithfulness. Because of who God is, we are able to be a faithful presence in this world. “And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14.
When & Where
Bellaire
October 10, 2021 - October 13, 2021
Shanty Creek Resort5780 Shanty Creek Rd
Bellaire, MI, 49615
Presenters
Keynote Speaker
Rev. Dr. Timothy E. Saleska
Rev. Dr. Timothy E. Saleska is Professor of Exegetical Theology and Dean of Ministerial Formation at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Previously, he served as acting placement counselor, editor of Concordia Theology Online, and Director of the Master of Divinity and residential certificate programs. Before joining the Seminary, Saleska served as the pastor of Peace Lutheran Church, Cincinnati and St. Paul Lutheran Church, Napoleon, OH.
Keynote Speaker
Dr. T. David Gordon
Dr. T. David Gordon is Professor of Religion and Greek at Grove City College, where he has taught since 1999. Prior to that, he taught for 13 years at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in S. Hamilton, MA; and for nine years he was pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashua, NH. He is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America.
Dr. Gordon has contributed to a number of books and study Bibles and has published scholarly reviews and articles in journals. He maintains a webpage at www.tdgordon.net.
Speaker
Rev. Dr. Gregory P. Seltz
Rev. Dr. Gregory P. Seltz is the Executive Director of the Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty (LCRL) in Washington, D.C. Prior to this position, he served as the Speaker of the Lutheran Hour®. Before that, he served as professor of Theology and Director of the Cross-Cultural Ministry Center at Concordia University in Irvine, Calif.; Executive Director of Life’s Journey Ministries; founding pastor of Church For All Nations in New York City; starter of a mission church in Dallas, Texas; and pastor of a large congregation in Tampa, Fla.
Speaker
Rev. Dr. Carl C Fickenscher, II
Rev. Dr. Carl C. Fickenscher II is Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions and Chairman of the Pastoral Ministry and Missions Department of Concordia Theological Seminary (CTSFW). He is also Director of Pastoral Formation Programs at the seminary.
Dr. Fickenscher is Editor of Concordia Pulpit Resources, the Synod’s preaching journal published by Concordia Publishing House, and Chairman of the LCMS Preach the Word Project, celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. He has published numerous articles, essays, sermons, and curricular pieces. Fickenscher served congregations in Michigan and Texas before accepting the call to CTSFW in 1999.
Speaker
Seth R. Hinz
Seth Hinz has worked for 12-plus years in Communications within The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod for churches, schools, universities, districts, and national ministries. He currently serves as Brand, Marketing, & Creative Director at Pathfinder Church and St. John School in Ellisville, Mo.
Speaker
Joshua B. Kittleman
Joshua Kittleman is an Assistant Professor in Family Life Ministry at Concordia University Ann Arbor and has served there since 2017. In his role, Kittleman helps prepare students to serve in congregations as Directors of Family Life Ministry (DFLM). Prior to his time at Concordia, he served as a DFLM at St. John’s, Adrian and at Peace, Shelby Township. He is particularly passionate about helping congregations partner with families to help pass their faith in Jesus on to the next generation.
Speaker
Ryan Tucker, JD
Ryan Tucker, JD serves as senior counsel and director of the Center for Christian Ministries with Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF). He oversees all litigation efforts to maintain and defend the constitutionally protected freedom of churches, Christian ministries, and religious schools to exercise their rights under the First Amendment.
Tucker began his work at ADF in 2017. Prior to joining ADF, Tucker engaged in private practice for over 16 years. Tucker earned his Juris Doctor at Baylor Law School and obtained his bachelor of business administration in management at Texas A&M University. As a member of the state bar in Texas and Arizona, Tucker is admitted to practice in the U.S. Supreme Court and multiple federal district and appellate courts.
Registration
Registration is closed.
Cost:
Note: District makes Emeriti lodging reservations.
Compassion Ministry
This year the compassion ministry will benefit pastors and their wives’ mind, body, and soul in four different ways: contribution to the Sower’s Fund, free counseling sessions, notes of encouragement to new pastors, and opportunities to exercise.
Sower’s Fund
The Sower’s Fund of the Michigan District, LCMS was initially established in February 1992 as a result of needs that arose for which there were no budget funds. These were various emergency needs, mostly of wives and children of professional church workers who had nowhere else to turn.
The Sower’s Fund is used today for immediate assistance for health care, counseling, shelter, etc. Requests for funds usually come to the President’s office through the Circuit Visitor or Congregation Ministry Facilitator who have been made aware of special emergency needs when no immediate assistance can be found from a local congregation, city, state, federal, health insurance, etc.
You will have an opportunity to contribute to the fund during the worship offering. If you would like to make a donation online, you can do so through Paypal (accepts credit cards as well).
Counseling
Counseling appointments will be available during the conference by licensed counselors. You can view their bios here. Sign up for a session today! Counseling Sign Up
Notes of Encouragement
Please consider writing a note of encouragement or tips for success to a new pastor. You can send that note to Debbie Hughes at Michigan District, LCMS; 3773 Geddes Rd; Ann Arbor 48105.
Physical Activity
As in previous years, there will be opportunities to go for walks. More details to come.
Additional Information
Hotel Information
Shanty Creek
5780 Shanty Creek Road, Bellaire MI 49615
Registration Link – www.shantycreek.com/reservations/mi-district-lutheran-church/
Deadline to register is September 10, 2021.
Room Costs:
- Guest Room or Studio Condo $125
- One Bedroom Parlor $160
- One Bedroom Condo $217
- Two Bedroom Condo $332
Area Attractions, Restaurants, and More
If you are looking for additional information about the area, please visit the Traverse City Tourism Website.
Additional Free Time Opportunity at Mammoth Distillery
Blending Experience – $125 per person for the class and 750ml Infinity Whiskey bottle. $80 for any additional bottle of Infinity Whiskey.
Each individual receives a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to design their own bottle of Infinity Whiskey. The class allows the guest to manipulate their own recipe almost like a snowflake, one of a kind. They will be presented with 14 year Rye, 17 year Rye, 14 Straight Bourbon, 17 year Bourbon, and either a 17 year Rye aged in Scotch barrels or 10 year Bourbon aged in Ice Wine barrels. Once the guest settles on their blend, we will bottle it on-site with a private label.
Mixology – $40 per person
Each individual has a personal station with a variety of Bar Utensils. Each guest is then walked step by step through making 3 to 4 classic and craft cocktails. After each cocktail guests are given time to enjoy the cocktail they have completed. The number of cocktails included in the class is designed around the time the group has. Unlike the Blending Experience, the Mixology class is enjoyable regardless of class size.