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.

Jim Rademan & Jamie Walta

05. BUILDING A COHESIVE SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TEAM: Leading Together in Lutheran Education

Jim Rademan & Jamie Walta

Participants will explore how to align around a clear mission and vision, ensuring that all leaders—both ...
06. BUILDING A CULTURE OF OUTREACH: A Game Plan for Every WELS Church

06. BUILDING A CULTURE OF OUTREACH: A Game Plan for Every WELS Church

Rev. Caleb Free

Participants will leave encouraged and equipped to help their church take meaningful steps toward a culture where outreach ...
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 ...
Dr. Kristi Meyer & Rev. Kyle Bitter

22. FROM BULLETIN TO BROADCAST: Modernizing Church Communication Without Losing Anyone

Dr. Kristi Meyer & Rev. Kyle Bitter

This session helps church and school leaders build a modern, multi-channel communication strategy that ...
25. FROM ORGANIC TO ORGANIZED: How Leadership and Operations Must Evolve as Churches Grow

25. FROM ORGANIC TO ORGANIZED: How Leadership and Operations Must Evolve as Churches Grow

Rev. Dennis Klatt

As congregations grow or contract in the number of souls and forms of gospel ministry, they may need ...
Rachel Halldorson & Rev. Ben Kratz

35. LEADERSHIP AS INFLUENCE: Shaping Culture and Lives Without a Title

Rachel Halldorson & Rev. Ben Kratz

This session helps participants understand the power of influence—how their words, actions, and presence can ...
36. LEADING WITH CONSENSUS IN YOUR CHURCH: From Votes to Voices

36. LEADING WITH CONSENSUS IN YOUR CHURCH: From Votes to Voices

Rev. Jonathan Schroeder

This session will help you understand how to lead with consensus while remaining fully grounded in biblical principles ...
42. ONE GOSPEL, MANY PEOPLES: Readiness for Cultural Diversity in the Church

42. ONE GOSPEL, MANY PEOPLES: Readiness for Cultural Diversity in the Church

Rev. Aaron Robinson

This session will look at practical ways to welcome and disciple people from different cultural, ethnic, and linguistic ...
43. OUR CONFESSIONAL LUTHERAN IDENTITY: Doctrine, Practice, and a Distinct Gospel Witness

43. OUR CONFESSIONAL LUTHERAN IDENTITY: Doctrine, Practice, and a Distinct Gospel Witness

Rev. Paul Prange

This session invites thoughtful, theological reflection on what it means to be Lutheran in both doctrine and practice ...
54. SACRAMENTAL IDENTITY FOR TODAY'S CHURCH: Timeless Gifts for Our Time in History

54. SACRAMENTAL IDENTITY FOR TODAY’S CHURCH: Timeless Gifts for Our Time in History

Rev. John Bortulin

This session features a conversation and re-examination of our Lutheran identity, giving participants something to take home for ...
58. SHADOW OF THE LEADER: Using the Culture Change Course Map

58. SHADOW OF THE LEADER: Using the Culture Change Course Map

Kurt Nitz

This breakout will go through those Post Workshop Resources, including a detailed walkthrough of the Culture Change Course Map, ...
61. UNSTUCK: Breaking Growth Barriers with Courage, Clarity, and Calling

61. UNSTUCK: Breaking Growth Barriers with Courage, Clarity, and Calling

Rev. John Parlow

This breakout is for leaders ready to break through the invisible ceiling and build something more ...
68. YOUR CHURCH'S STORY: Preserving History with Purpose

68. YOUR CHURCH’S STORY: Preserving History with Purpose

Susan Willems

Participants will learn how to collect and preserve their church’s history—from photos and records to personal stories—while focusing on ...
69. THE FUTURE OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH–MISSOURI SYNOD: One LCMS District President’s Perspective

69. THE FUTURE OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH–MISSOURI SYNOD: One LCMS District President’s Perspective

Rev. Dr. Allan Buss

WELS leaders will gain a clearer picture of how the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod’s challenges and opportunities intersect ...