Those who serve in public ministry carry both profound privilege and heavy responsibility. Called workers navigate expectations from their congregations, schools, and communities—while also caring for their own spiritual and emotional health. At the same time, the relationship between called workers and lay leaders can be a source of great strength or great strain. These breakouts give space to explore the unique pressures on called workers, the importance of healthy collaboration with laity, and the support systems needed to help them thrive in long-term ministry.

Some congregations today are wrestling with sobering realities: declining attendance, aging membership, shrinking finances, and uncertainty about their future. For some, these challenges feel overwhelming. Members wonder if survival is impossible. These breakouts are designed for leaders in challenged churches who are asking hard questions about sustainability, mission, and the path forward. They offer biblical encouragement, honest assessment tools, and practical strategies that can help leaders discern a path forward.

Clear communication is vital for healthy congregational life. Without it, even the best ideas can stall. In today’s noisy world, churches must learn how to tell their story well—both internally among members and externally to their community. Effective communication builds trust and unites teams, serving the mission. These breakouts equip leaders to communicate, connecting with people in ways that inspire confidence and participation.

Increasingly, people are looking for their church to be not only a place they are fed spiritually but also where the Spirit knits members together in a true Christian family. This is especially true of young members, who are looking to be known, supported, and encouraged. Congregations that foster genuine community can become places of belonging, healing, and accountability—where discipleship takes root in relationships, not just programs. These breakouts focus on building that kind of culture: moving members beyond passive attendance to active life together in Christ.

The most important component of congregational health: that everything the congregation does is built upon the foundation of God’s Word. The second most important component of congregational health? Culture. Culture is the shared thought habits that frame the way a group of people behave and work. Congregational culture consists of things like assumptions, traditions, values, habits, unwritten ground rules, organizational structure, etc. A healthy congregational culture enables our best ministry efforts. The following breakouts deal with congregational culture in various ways.

Think of how much American culture has shifted in one generation. Marriage and fertility rates have dropped sharply. Polarization has deepened. Societal distrust in institutions is at all-time highs. And the fastest growing religious demographic is the “nones,” i.e., those who claim no religious affiliation. This is evidenced by the fact there are almost no Christian church bodies in America that are growing. This affects how we think about our ministry strategies. The following breakouts touch on some societal cultural issues with which our churches must engage.

Discipleship is the lifelong journey of following Jesus, being formed by his Word, and growing in love and service of God and neighbor. The following breakouts all deal with such discipleship efforts. Some discuss discipleship broadly. Others deal with discipleship within a specific demographic.

In a sense, everything your congregation does can serve evangelism. For example, well-done worship can present the gospel to unchurched guests. That’s evangelism. A well-run school is attractive to parents. That can allow for evangelism. The following breakouts are ones that deal directly with evangelism: congregational outreach efforts, the effort to equip members for personal witnessing, etc.

Congregations that handle finances wisely not only sustain their mission but also build trust and inspire confidence among members. Stewardship, however, is more than balancing budgets. It’s about cultivating a gospel-driven spirit of generosity, aligning financial decisions with mission priorities, and planning responsibly for the future. These breakouts equip church and school leaders with tools to strengthen financial practices, explore new funding models, and nurture a culture where giving flows not from guilt or obligation but from gratitude for Christ’s grace.

This is not a generic Christian leadership conference. It is a conference for confessional Lutherans, rooted in the treasures of faith handed down by our forefathers. Our heritage grounds us in the gospel and gives us clarity for ministry in today’s world. These breakouts remind us who we are as Lutherans—anchored in Word and sacrament, shaped by our confession, and called to carry forward what has been entrusted to us. They highlight the theological and cultural distinctives that shape our witness as the Lutheran church.

Healthy congregations need leaders who keep the focus on mission and inspire others. Congregations also need good management that ensures clarity of roles, healthy culture, and sustainable ministry systems. Neither leadership nor management in the church is about control or power but about stewardship—guiding people and resources in service to Christ. These breakouts will help participants see the need for both leadership and management and lay out best practices for both.

Congregations that plan well are better equipped to carry out their mission with clarity and confidence. Planning helps leaders align resources, establish priorities, and prepare for future opportunities and challenges. These breakouts address different aspects of congregational planning.

This track focuses on practical leadership growth that strengthens employees and delivers immediate value back to your workplace. In just a few days, participants sharpen skills in communication, strategizing, teamwork development, and management—all grounded in integrity and service. They return more motivated and better equipped to strengthen your organization. It’s a high-impact investment with minimal time away. Choose from these professional development presentations plus two Professional Development keynote presentations.

Lutheran schools have historically been a major ministry strategy in our congregations. At all levels, Lutheran schools provide a daily connection to God’s Word, enabling our schools to shape children’s faith and open doors to families who might not otherwise encounter the gospel. But today’s school ministries face new challenges—rising costs, complex family dynamics, cultural pressures, and questions of sustainability. These breakouts help participants think strategically about how their schools can remain mission-driven, financially healthy, and deeply rooted in a Lutheran worldview.

No congregation can carry out its mission through solo efforts. Ministry flourishes when God’s people—pastors, teachers, staff, and laity—work together as one body. But effective teamwork doesn’t happen automatically. It requires clarity of roles, healthy communication, mutual trust, and a shared vision. These breakouts provide tools to strengthen collaboration, resolve conflict, and cultivate a culture where leaders and members support one another in carrying out Christ’s mission. Whether you are part of a large staff or a small group of volunteers, these sessions will help your ministry teams lead with unity and purpose.

Technology is shaping the way people live, learn, and relate; the church cannot ignore its influence. Digital tools open doors for outreach and ministry efficiency, but they also bring risks of distraction, depersonalization, and shallow faith engagement. These breakouts help leaders discern how to use technology faithfully, keeping Christ at the center while navigating an increasingly digital world.

Some issues facing our churches don’t fit neatly into categories like planning or leadership. Yet they are very real in the lives of God’s people and carry huge implications for ministry. This track lifts up breakouts that you might not expect at a leadership conference but that deal with pressing, sometimes sensitive realities in WELS. By naming these challenges directly, we can better equip our congregations to respond with biblical clarity and gospel hope.

Service to Christ is not the same as service of congregation. God calls his people into many stations in life—parent, neighbor, citizen, worker—and in these vocations we serve as his “masks,” bringing blessings to others through ordinary tasks. The Lutheran doctrine of vocation reminds us that our daily callings are holy too. These breakouts help participants to see the importance of encouraging members to embrace their vocations with joy.

Many congregations struggle with the familiar pattern: a small percentage of people doing most of the work. Building a healthy culture of volunteerism is about more than filling slots. It’s about equipping and inspiring God’s people to see service as a joyful response to grace. These breakouts help participants learn some best practices for mobilizing members for meaningful service.

At the heart of congregational life is worship—where God serves his people through Word and sacrament, and his people respond in praise and prayer. The worship service is where the largest percentage of members have their faith regularly fed. It is also often the first experience guests have with congregational ministry. These breakouts address both the theology and practice of Lutheran worship. Together they invite leaders to treasure Lutheran worship as both heritage and mission.