Register Online at The Augustana Ministerium web site
Who helps pastors in need? The Augustana Ministerium has been helping
pastors in financial straits since before it was formally
incorporated, all the way back to October of 2004 (as well as by
'being there' to support them in meetings, etc., when called upon to
do so). In the past twelve months, God has blessed us to provide
another $40,000.00 in aid.
Along with this aid, we provide for the education of pastors and laity
alike, so that there may continue to be a "distinctively Lutheran
Ministry of Word and Sacrament to Lutheran congregations." Thus, you
are invited to join the Ministerium (or its Confraternity) and to
donate to further our aid efforts, as well as to join us for our
2013 Theological Conference and Plenary
August 20–22, 2013
The Ninth Annual Theological Conference and Plenary Session of The
Augustana Ministerium will be held August 20–22, 2013 at the Super 8
Conference Center in Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007 (Chicago/O’Hare
area; a free shuttle is provided 24 hours per day for hotel guests
flying in for the Conference), hosted by St. Philip Lutheran Mission
of Lake County, Illinois, (served by the Rev. Tony Oncken of Salem
Lutheran Church of Malone, Texas). Lodging details are available on
our Conference Lodging page.
This year’s conference will focus on practical aspects in the doctrine
of the Church and Her Ministry, especially with regard to the role of
pastors and laity in local and fellowship-wide church governance.
Topics and speakers include:
Congregational or Episcopal Polity: You’re Free to Do it My Way -
Pastor John Rutowicz, Niles, Michigan
Most confessional Lutherans agree that how churches decide to govern
themselves is not a matter of divine right, but of human right, and
thus falls within the realm of adiaphora. Yet it is not unheard of for
those who choose an episcopal arrangement to be labeled as Romanists,
or for those who choose a congregational arrangement to be labeled as
Baptists. This paper will demonstrate the extent to which church
polity is, in fact, a matter of adiaphora.
Lessons from Old World Polity - Pastor Jeffrey A. Ahonen, Ladysmith,
Wisconsin
Pr. Ahonen will explore the history of how the Lutheran Church has
governed itself in Europe since the days of the Reformation, and
present some insights as to how the European model(s) may or may not
be helpful for Lutheranism in America.
Pastoral Authority in the Governance of the Parish - Pastor Joshua
Scheer, Cheyenne, Wyoming
What tasks in the life of a parish are unique to the Office of the
Holy Ministry and how does pastoral authority interact with the
general governance of a parish?
The Proper and Godly Role of the Laity in the Governance of a Parish -
Pastor Eric Lange, Gresham, Oregon
Assuming a proper understanding of the Office of the Holy Ministry,
the pastor of the local parish still does not make all the governing
decisions in a parish singlehandedly, but can benefit from the counsel
and advice of experienced, mature laymen as he carries out his God-
given ministry. What are the proper functions of, for example,
congregational “elders” (in the modern sense of the word), church
councils, voters’ assemblies? Pr. Lange will discuss a Biblical and
godly model for the role of laymen in the governance and life of a
parish.
A Constitution that Serves the Saints - Pastor Eric Stefanski,
Harrison, Arkansas
While the Scriptures do not prescribe such things as “church
constitutions,” most, if not all, parishes have one that they follow
more or less religiously. But a poorly conceived constitution can end
up endorsing or even promoting practices that are at variance with the
Scriptures and the Book of Concord, especially in areas like church
discipline, the office of the pastor, and the governance of the
parish. Pr. Stefanski will identify some areas of concern that may be
prevalent in American Lutheran constitutions and present a model that
is as free of pitfalls as possible.
Topic facilitators may provide pertinent background information on
each topic for your conference preparation. A listing of such
materials, if any, will be made available via this website in advance
of the conference. Such advance preparation by attendees is strongly
encouraged for informative and beneficial discussion at the conference.
The theological portion of the program is open to members and non-
members, clergy and laity alike. The Plenary Session of the
Ministerium will be open to all attendees, except during an executive
session, should one be called. The cost of the conference will be $30.
(For members of The Augustana Ministerium or The Augustana
Confraternity, having paid your 2013 dues—$50 for Ministerium members,
$40 for Confraternity members—will cause this $30 fee to be considered
already paid. Thus, membership in the Ministerium or Confraternity is
an amazing value for those who are able to attend the conference…and
still a very good value for those who cannot attend!)
A web form is available for registrations.
Rev. Paul Rydecki, Dean of Education
The Augustana Ministerium
Make checks payable to:
The Augustana Ministerium
c/o The Rev. Gregory J. Schultz, Bursar
721 Payne Avenue
North Tonawanda, NY 14120
Administrative Council:
Rev. Kurt Hering, Superintendent;
Rev. Dr. Kent Heimbigner, Legate;
Rev. Joshua Sullivan, Recording Secretary; Rev. Gregory Schultz, Bursar;
Rev. Eric Stefanski, Dean of Communications; Rev. Paul Rydecki, Dean
of Education;
Rt. Rev. James Heiser, Dean of Missions; Rev. Andrew Eckert, Dean of
Pastoral Care;
Rev. Anthony Oncken, Dean of Pastoral Recruitment
Register Online at The Augustana Ministerium web site
________________________________________________________________________
The Rev. Eric J. Stefanski
Member of The Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America
Holy Trinity Ev.-Luth. Church (Unaltered Augsburg Confession)
P.O. Box 2612 - Harrison, Arkansas 72602
"A CAT only gets itself clean because its tongue is rough"
barzel bvarzel yachad w'ish yachad pne re'ehu - Mishle
21:17
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