Breakout Presentations

Sessions

Attendees are allowed to select any breakouts they believe would be interesting and beneficial. Some attendees will select breakouts that touch on a variety of topics and issues. Others may want to focus on one topic, learning as much as possible from several breakouts.

If a congregation sends multiple attendees to the WELS National Conference on Lutheran Leadership, consider assigning each one a topic or issue. Those attendees can report back to their congregations, perhaps using what they learned to provide recommendations for congregational ministry efforts.

Below you will find breakouts that deal directly with presentation topics and issues.

Breakout Summaries 2026There are 69 breakout presentations presented by 80+ presenters. Download the breakout and professional development documents below for more information.

Rev. Mark Gabb & Sean Young

07. CLARIFYING CLERGY AND LAY ROLES: Leading Together in the Life of the Church

Rev. Mark Gabb & Sean Young

Participants will learn how to develop a culture of collaboration, maintain pastoral focus on the ...
13. THE EMOTIONALLY INTELLIGENT LEADER: Managing Yourself to Lead Others

13. THE EMOTIONALLY INTELLIGENT LEADER: Managing Yourself to Lead Others

Dr. Karen Fischer

This session explores how leaders can grow in emotional self-awareness, empathy, and self-regulation in order to lead others ...
17. FEEDBACK AND THE PULPIT: Turning Polite Praise into Meaningful Insights

17. FEEDBACK AND THE PULPIT: Turning Polite Praise into Meaningful Insights

Rev. Michael Schultz

This breakout will explore how pastors and congregations can move beyond surface-level comments toward honest conversations that strengthen ...
18. THE FOCUS TAX: How Much Are You Paying?

18. THE FOCUS TAX: How Much Are You Paying?

Kurt Nitz

Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or simply want to work more intentionally, this breakout will give you practical tools to ...
Rev. David Scharf & Rev. Jonathan Bauer

32. HOPE FOR THE CHALLENGED CHURCH: Diagnosing Decline and Charting a Path Forward

Rev. David Scharf & Rev. Jonathan Bauer

If your congregation is feeling stuck, this session will offer a clear-eyed path forward—one ...
45. POLITICS IN THE PEWS: Living in Two Kingdoms

45. POLITICS IN THE PEWS: Living in Two Kingdoms

Rev. Dr. Michael Berg

In this session we will refresh our understanding of two-kingdom theology and discuss practical ways to speak ...
49. PROBLEM-SOLVING AS CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP: Balancing Faith, Wisdom, and Action

49. PROBLEM-SOLVING AS CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP: Balancing Faith, Wisdom, and Action

Brent Nemmers

Participants will learn practical ways to identify issues, weigh options, navigate difficult conversations, and build consensus for lasting solutions ...
64. THE WEIGHT AND THE WONDER: Dealing with Guilt in Ministry

64. THE WEIGHT AND THE WONDER: Dealing with Guilt in Ministry

Rev. Don Patterson

This session will explore the biblical foundation for resilience in ministry, especially as it relates to the church ...
65. WIRED DIFFERENTLY: Understanding Personalities to Strengthen Ministry Teams

65. WIRED DIFFERENTLY: Understanding Personalities to Strengthen Ministry Teams

Marilyn Sievert

Attendees will learn how to adapt, communicate, and collaborate more effectively across personality lines ...