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.

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 ...
08. COME AND SEE: Planning Worship so Members Will Invite Guests

08. COME AND SEE: Planning Worship so Members Will Invite Guests

Rev. Eric Roecker

This session will explore how to design services that are accessible to the first-time worshiper while also being ...
12. DIGITAL OUTREACH IN A POST-CHRISTIAN WORLD: Supporting Relational Evangelism Without Replacing It

12. DIGITAL OUTREACH IN A POST-CHRISTIAN WORLD: Supporting Relational Evangelism Without Replacing It

Michael Babler

This session helps leaders reframe digital outreach—not as a substitute for personal witness but as a tool that supports ...
24. FROM ENROLLMENT TO ENGAGEMENT: Making Your School a True Evangelism Effort

24. FROM ENROLLMENT TO ENGAGEMENT: Making Your School a True Evangelism Effort

Rev. Shaun Arndt

Participants will explore essential strategies for making school ministry a meaningful outreach effort ...
Rev. Dr. Ken Fischer & Landon Zacharyasz

30. THE GREAT COMMISSION IN LUTHERAN SCHOOLS: Nurture, Outreach, and School Growth

Rev. Dr. Ken Fisher & Landon Zacharyasz

We’ll discuss the importance of intentionalizing what is at the heart of Lutheran education—shaping ...
33. HOSPITALITY BOOTCAMP: Evangelism in Action

33. HOSPITALITY BOOTCAMP: Evangelism in Action

Dr. Lori Ryan

This session will highlight strategies for practicing biblical hospitality, outline common barriers and how to overcome them, and ...
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 ...
48. PREPARED TO GIVE AN ANSWER: Weaving Apologetics into Everyday Ministry

48. PREPARED TO GIVE AN ANSWER: Weaving Apologetics into Everyday Ministry

Rev. Caleb Bassett

This breakout will explore why apologetics matters now more than ever and how congregations can prepare their members ...
50. THE QUIET RETURN: Gen Z Men’s Renewed Interest in Christianity

50. THE QUIET RETURN: Gen Z Men’s Renewed Interest in Christianity

Rev. Joel Russow

This breakout equips church leaders, youth workers, and mentors with practical strategies to connect with Gen Z men, ...
53. RETHINKING EVANGELISM: Why Yesterday’s Methods Miss Today’s Hearts

53. RETHINKING EVANGELISM: Why Yesterday’s Methods Miss Today’s Hearts

Rev. Joseph Lindloff and Julie Lindloff

Attendees will learn how to shift from “hoping people visit” to building bridges where people ...
Joel Gaertner

57. SERVING THE UNDERSERVED: Reaching and Discipling People with Special Needs

Rev. Joel Gaertner

This breakout helps congregations become places where all people—regardless of ability—can experience belonging, hear the gospel clearly, and ...
62. USING COMMUNITY SERVICE TO MAXIMIZE THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL

62. USING COMMUNITY SERVICE TO MAXIMIZE THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL

Rev. Lucas Bitter and Meredith Bitter

This session will examine the community service-minded culture of post-Christian America and then bring in ...