Register Online at The Augustana Ministerium web site TODAY!
Please forward this message to anyone who might be interested in supporting
pastors who are hurting!
Why do we consider this conference one "not to be missed"?
It is neither due to the vanity of the Administrative Council, nor of any of
the presenters, nor even because we believe it will be another good conference
in our history of solid Lutheran conferences (although we do believe it will
be!), but because of what The Augustana Ministerium does beside the conference:
helping pastors in financial straits (and whatever other difficulty it is
able). Helping how much? Well over $150,000; in fact, in the past twelve
months, God has blessed us to provide another $40,000.00 in aid.
This aid is coupled with the education and resources we offer for pastors and
laity alike, so that there may continue to be a "distinctively Lutheran
Ministry of Word and Sacrament to Lutheran congregations." We want you both to
benefit from what we do and to be of benefit to others through The Augustana
Ministerium, so we invite you to join the Ministerium if you are a pastor, or
its Confraternity if you are not a pastor, 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
Register Online at The Augustana Ministerium web site TODAY!
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
Please forward this message to anyone who might be interested in supporting
pastors who are hurting!
Register Online at The Augustana Ministerium web site
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