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.

11. DEVELOPING A CLEAR PATH OF DISCIPLESHIP: A Proven Process for Congregational Membership and Leadership Development

11. DEVELOPING A CLEAR PATH OF DISCIPLESHIP: A Proven Process for Congregational Membership and Leadership Development

Rev. Matt Vogt

This breakout equips pastors and congregational leaders to design a customized “path of discipleship” for their unique ministry ...
21. FROM 20/80 TO 100 PERCENT: Breaking the Volunteer Bottleneck

21. FROM 20/80 TO 100 PERCENT: Breaking the Volunteer Bottleneck

Rev. Frank Italiano

This breakout will inspire attendees to move beyond volunteer scarcity and toward gospel-motivated abundance in their congregation’s life and ...
27. FROM TALK TO TRACTION: Making All Ministry Teams More Effective

27. FROM TALK TO TRACTION: Making All Ministry Teams More Effective

Dr. Todd Russ

Participants will learn how to design efficient, purpose-driven meetings that end with clear, actionable outcomes ...
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 ...
52. RAISING THE BAR: A Culture of High Expectations for Discipleship

52. RAISING THE BAR: A Culture of High Expectations for Discipleship

Rev. Donn Dobberstein

Attendees will learn how to cast a biblical vision to move members toward spiritual maturity, build a culture ...
56. SERVANT LEADERS: Young Adults Modeling Christ’s Way

56. SERVANT LEADERS: Young Adults Modeling Christ’s Way

Jeremy Bock

This session features a panel of young adults who will share personal experiences of what it means to live ...
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 ...