Doing Good to All People: The Crucial Role of Compassion Ministry in a Congregation’s Plans to Reach the Community, Rev. Dan Sims and Rev. Ryan Kolander

Presentation Description

For many years Christian congregations almost universally enjoyed a good reputation in their communities. People tended to view the church as beneficial, an institution that does a lot of good. As fewer and fewer people claim to be Christians, that’s changing. More and more people see the church as irrelevant or even harmful. Too many today view Christians not as loving, caring people you can trust, but as annoying, preachy, judgmental hypocrites.

Did we do this to ourselves? Is it possible that we have been so concerned with contending for the truth that we have neglected loving people in need? Have we been so focused on carrying out the Great Commission that we have forgotten Jesus’ encouragement to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the sick, and visit the prisoners? The mission of the church is clear: Preach the Word. Proclaim the gospel to all creation. How does showing compassion to those in need fit in with that mission? How might it even serve the mission of making disciples?

In this presentation we will discuss the theology of compassion ministry and how it can serve the mission of the church. We’ll also explore examples and best practices for carrying out an active ministry of compassion in a local community. Participants will leave this sectional with ideas and encouragement for implementing or improving compassion ministry in their congregations.

Speaker Bio

Rev. Dan Sims

Dan Sims is a 1997 graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. Upon graduation, he was assigned to Risen Savior, a new mission in McFarland, Wis. In 2002, he accepted the call to serve Zion in Columbus, Wis. While at Zion, he also served as the secretary of the Western Wisconsin District. In 2016, he moved to Manitowoc, Wis where he served as pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church. In 2020, he accepted the call to be the first pastor to serve as director of WELS Christian Aid and Relief. Pastor Sims also served on the executive committee of the WELS Hymnal project.

Dan has been married to his wife Jennifer for 26 years. God has blessed them with three children: Marcus, George, and Josie. He enjoys camping, hiking, reading, cooking, movies, music, Formula 1 racing, and spending time with family and friends.

Rev. Ryan Kolander

Ryan Kolander is a 2016 graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. Before graduation, he served in various mission settings both in the US and abroad. In 2016, he was assigned to Palabra de Vida in Detroit, Mich. As he works with the gospel in a diverse community, he’s noticed the incredible impact that acts of compassion have on connecting with people. In 2022, he served as an essayist for the WLS Symposium on Compassion Ministry.