Keynote Videos
A Time for Courage – Rev. Chuck Westra & Rev. Leon Ehlert
Leadership always requires courage. People naturally resist change—even when that change is necessary for the sake of the gospel. Leaders must be willing to absorb resistance, not to preserve their comfort, but to serve Christ and his mission.
Character Formation as Cultural Strategy – Dr. Ryan Olson
Christian character doesn’t form by accident. It’s shaped—day by day, in community, through Word and habit. And in today’s rapidly shifting world, character formation is not only vital for personal faith but also essential for leadership and the long-term health of churches and schools. Leadership isn’t mainly about titles or positions. At its core, leadership is about character—the kind that earns trust, steadies culture, and points people to Christ. When such character is formed and sustained within a community, it becomes one of the most powerful forces for lasting gospel influence.
The Lost Habits of Leadership: Curiosity and Critical Thinking in Ministry – Chip Woods & Rev. Brett Krause
This keynote invites a rediscovery of two vital leadership habits: curiosity and critical thinking. These traits matter—not just in planning or problem-solving, but in shaping a culture that values thoughtful engagement over passive traditionalism. We will explore how curiosity opens doors to meaningful innovation while critical thinking prevents shallow or reactionary decisions.
Together, they create an environment where questions aren’t threatening and ideas are explored with humility and purpose. When curiosity and critical thinking thrive, zealous mission efforts move forward.
Conference Booklet
Keynote Presenter Materials
Women’s Ministry Bible Study Resources
Breakout Presenter Materials
01. The Art of Listening and Asking Questions: Unlocking the Heart of Ministry
Cindy Jansen
02. Artificial Intelligence and the Church: Embracing Tools, Avoiding Traps
Ryan Kirchoff
03. Beyond Cash: Smarter Ways God’s People Can Give
Kyle Bartsch
04. The Budget is the Plan: Aligning Strategy, Spending, and Stewardship
Janet J. Egan, CPA
06. Building a Culture of Outreach: A Game Plan for Every WELS Church
Rev. Caleb Free
07. Clarifying Clergy and Lay Roles: Leading Together in the Life of the Church
Rev. Mark Gabb and Sean Young
08. Come and See: Planning Worship so Members Will Invite Guests
Rev. Eric Roecker
10. Counting What Counts: Goals, Metrics, and the Spirit’s Work
Rev. Carlos Leyrer
11. Developing a Path of Discipleship: Proven Process for Membership and Leadership Development
Rev. Matt Vogt
12. Digital Outreach in a Post-Christian World: Supporting Relational Evangelism Without Replacing It
Michael Babler
13. The Emotionally Intelligent Leader: Managing Yourself to Lead Others
Dr. Karen Fischer
14. Faith Formation in Schools that Sticks: Building a Lutheran Worldview in the Next Generation
Melanie Giddings, Elizabeth Melott, and Rev. Ben Reichel
15. Faithful and Funded: Rethinking How We Support Lutheran Schools
Paul Patterson
17. Feedback and the Pulpit: Turning Polite Praise into Meaningful Insights
Rev. Michael Schultz
18. The Focus Tax: How Much Are You Paying?
Kurt Nitz
19. The Forgotten Generation: Ministry to Young Adults in Their 20s
Rev. Clark Schultz
20. Freely Given, Freely Give: Building a Culture of Gospel-Driven Generosity
Josh Birkholz
21. From 20/80 To 100 Percent: Breaking the Volunteer Bottleneck
Rev. Frank Italiano
22. From Bulletin to Broadcast: Modernizing Church Communication Without Losing Anyone
Dr. Kristi Meyer and Rev. Kyle Bitter
- 2024 Communications Survey Questions
- Communications Calendar
- Communications Coordinator Position Description December 2025
- Master Communications Plan original
- Master Communications Plan updated 12-2025
- News & Notes-3-2-1 good things format
- News & Notes standard format
- St. John’s Electronic Resources
23. From Christian Worship to the Foundation: Planning Smarter, Leading Better
Rev. Johnold Strey
24. From Enrollment to Engagement: Making Your School a True Evangelism Effort
Rev. Shaun Arndt
25. From Organic to Organized: How Leadership and Operations Must Evolve as Churches Grow
Rev. Dennis Klatt
27. From Talk to Traction: Making All Ministry Teams More Effective
Dr. Todd Russ
30. The Great Commission in Lutheran Schools: Nurture, Outreach, and School Growth
Rev. Dr. Ken Fisher and Landon Zacharyasz
31. Hearing is Straight from Today’s Youth: A Comprehensive Study of WELS Young People
Dr. Donald Kudek
34. The Lawsuit You Didn’t See Coming: Building a Legally Resilient School
Sam Nelson
38. A Lutheran Lens on Modern Hymnody: Evaluating the Theology, Use, and Impact of Modern Hymns
Prof. Aaron Christie
39. Ministering to Survivors of Sexual Abuse: Compassion, Care, and Christ
Rev. Steven Lange
44. Planning that Works: Strategic, Tactical, and Operational Planning
John Rathje
45. Politics in the Pews: Living in Two Kingdoms
Rev. Dr. Michael Berg
46. The Porn Pandemic in Our Pews: How Pornography Is Quietly Discipling Our Members and What to Do About It
Rev. Brad Snyder
48. Prepared to Give an Answer: Weaving Apologetics into Everyday Ministry
Rev. Caleb Bassett
49. Problem-Solving as Christian Leadership: Balancing Faith, Wisdom, and Action
Brent Nemmers
50. The Quiet Return: Gen Z Men’s Renewed Interest in Christianity
Rev. Joel Russow
51. Raising a Christ-Centered Child in a Me-Centered World: Practical Tools for Parents and Church Leaders
Dr. Rhoda Wolle
54. Sacramental Identity for Today’s Church: Timeless Gifts for Our Time in History
Rev. John Bortulin
55. Screens and Souls: Helping Members Understand the Spiritual Impact of Technology
Martin Spriggs
57. Serving the Underserved: Reaching and Discipling People with Special Needs
Rev. Joel Gaertner
58. Shadow of the Leader: Using the Culture Change Course Map
Kurt Nitz
All available materials associated with the Shadow of the Leader (SotL) program can be found at shadowoftheleader.com.
A summary of the currently available and forthcoming materials associated with the Shadow of the Leader Culture Change Course Map is provided below:
59. Small Church, Big Mission: Making a Kingdom Impact with Limited Resources
Rev. Wayne Uhlhorn
60. Staffing for Mission: When to Add Staff and How to Choose the Right Role
Nathan Paul
64. The Weight and the Wonder: Dealing with Guilt in Ministry
Rev. Don Patterson
65. Wired Differently: Understanding Personalities to Strengthen Ministry Teams
Marilyn Sievert
66. Women Teaching Women: From Learners to Leaders
Alycia Cameron
67. Young Women in WELS: Understanding the Crisis and Building Connections
Dawn Schulz
70. We Got Next: Preparing the Next Generation to Take the Lead
Dr. Phil Huebner
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WELS Congregational Services exists to encourage and equip congregations for faithful and fruitful gospel ministry.
