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.
There are 69 breakout presentations presented by 80+ presenters. Download the breakout and professional development documents below for more information.
01. THE ART OF LISTENING AND ASKING QUESTIONS: Unlocking the Heart of Ministry
Cindy Jansen
This breakout session is an energizing invitation to rediscover two core leadership skills: asking masterful questions and listening with ...
02. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND THE CHURCH: Embracing Tools, Avoiding Traps
Ryan Kirchoff
Through discussion, reflection, and real-life examples, we’ll consider both the practical ministry opportunities and the potential pitfalls that come ...
03. BEYOND CASH: Smarter Ways God’s People Can Give
Kyle Bartsch
This breakout will show how WELS members can align their giving with both faith and wisdom ...
04. THE BUDGET IS THE PLAN: Aligning Strategy, Spending, and Stewardship
Janet J. Egan, CPA
This session will help attendees see their budget not merely as a spreadsheet but as a strategic ...
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
Rev. Caleb Free
Participants will leave encouraged and equipped to help their church take meaningful steps toward a culture where outreach ...
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 ...
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 ...
09. COMMUNICATING YOUR MISSION WITH CLARITY: Branding, Messaging, and Community Connection
Dr. Jeff Lemke
This session helps congregations, schools, and Christian organizations define and communicate their identity in Christ with purpose and ...
10. COUNTING WHAT COUNTS: Goals, Metrics, and the Spirit’s Work
Rev. Carlos Leyrer
When handled with humility, goals and assessments can help ministries stay focused and purposeful—while leaving the results where ...
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 ...
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 ...
13. THE EMOTIONALLY INTELLIGENT LEADER: Managing Yourself to Lead Others
Dr. Karen Fischer
This session explores how leaders can grow in emotional self-awareness, empathy, and self-regulation in order to lead others ...
14. FAITH FORMATION IN SCHOOLS THAT STICKS: Building a Lutheran Worldview in the Next Generation
Melanie Giddings, Elizabeth Melott, & Rev. Ben Reichel
This session explores how schools and churches can work together to instill a ...
15. FAITHFUL AND FUNDED: Rethinking How We Support Lutheran Schools
Paul Patterson
Participants will explore how to develop a tuition structure that balances the responsibility of the family and the meaningful ...
16. THE FAMILY ALTAR: Empowering Homes as the Primary Place of Youth Discipleship
Dr. Brandon Steenbock
Participants will leave with renewed vision and concrete ideas for shaping a congregation where faith isn’t just taught ...
17. FEEDBACK AND THE PULPIT: Turning Polite Praise into Meaningful Insights
Rev. Michael Schultz
This breakout will explore how pastors and congregations can move beyond surface-level comments toward honest conversations that strengthen ...
18. THE FOCUS TAX: How Much Are You Paying?
Kurt Nitz
Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or simply want to work more intentionally, this breakout will give you practical tools to ...
19. THE FORGOTTEN GENERATION: Ministry to Young Adults in Their 20s
Rev. Clark Schultz
This session explores how to bridge that gap and build a vibrant, gospel-centered ministry for young adults in ...
20. FREELY GIVEN, FREELY GIVE: Building a Culture of Gospel-Driven Generosity
Josh Birkholz
This session will give you tools to lead with integrity and inspire giving that reflects the gospel we’ve freely ...
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 ...
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 ...
23. FROM CHRISTIAN WORSHIP TO THE FOUNDATION: Planning Smarter, Leading Better
Rev. Johnold Strey
This session equips pastors, worship planners, and lay leaders to streamline worship planning, deepening member engagement and supporting ...
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 ...
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 ...
26. FROM SOCIAL CIRCLES TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH: Small Groups that Make Disciples, Not Just Friends
Rev. James Hein
This session helps leaders design small group ministries that do more than build friendships—they make disciples ...
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 ...
28. GOSPEL CONVERSATIONS IN THE LGBTQ WORLD: Meeting Impossible Standards with the Grace of Christ
Ben Dose
This breakout will explore these “impossible standards” in light of our unique Lutheran worldview ...
29. THE GRACE TO LEAD CHANGE WELL: Navigating Transition Without Losing Mission or People
Rev. Don Sutton
This session will explore how to overcome resistance, sustain hope, and create cultures where curiosity is encouraged—so teams ...
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 ...
31. HEARING IT STRAIGHT FROM TODAY’S YOUTH: A Comprehensive Study of WELS Young People
Dr. Donald Kudek
Attendees will learn what young people value, how they engage with the gospel, and what opportunities exist for ...
32. HOPE FOR THE CHALLENGED CHURCH: Diagnosing Decline and Charting a Path Forward
Rev. David Scharf & Rev. Jonathan Bauer
If your congregation is feeling stuck, this session will offer a clear-eyed path forward—one ...
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 ...
34. THE LAWSUIT YOU DIDN’T SEE COMING: Building a Legally Resilient School
Sam Nelson
Attendees will leave better equipped to recognize legal blind spots, implement protective structures, and support ministry with confidence and ...
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
Rev. Jonathan Schroeder
This session will help you understand how to lead with consensus while remaining fully grounded in biblical principles ...
37. A LEGACY OF LOVE: Inspiring Generosity that Endures Beyond This Life
Rev. Kurt Lueneburg, Rev. Daniel Wagenknecht, Patrick Ruehrdanz, & Terry Helton
This breakout session will discuss how we can inspire the ...
38. A LUTHERAN LENS ON MODERN HYMNODY: Evaluating the Theology, Use, and Impact of Modern Hymns
Prof. Aaron Christie
This session offers a thoughtful exploration of the modern hymn movement through a Lutheran lens ...
39. MINISTERING TO SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ABUSE: Compassion, Care, and Christ
Rev. Steven Lange
This session will help called workers, ministry leaders, and lay members understand how they can be the safe ...
40. MINISTERING TO AN AGING CONGREGATION: A Golden Opportunity!
Rev. David Rosenau
Whether your goal is to reach the next generation or to shepherd your seniors with grace and purpose, ...
41. ON THE CLOCK, STILL ON MISSION: Following Christ at Work
Chris Kestner
This breakout offers practical tools for navigating workplace boundaries while remaining unapologetically Christian ...
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
Rev. Paul Prange
This session invites thoughtful, theological reflection on what it means to be Lutheran in both doctrine and practice ...
44. PLANNING THAT WORKS: Strategic, Tactical, and Operational Planning
John Rathje
This session will explore how to involve the right people in each type of planning, how to communicate plans ...
45. POLITICS IN THE PEWS: Living in Two Kingdoms
Rev. Dr. Michael Berg
In this session we will refresh our understanding of two-kingdom theology and discuss practical ways to speak ...
46. THE PORN PANDEMIC IN OUR PEWS: How Pornography Is Quietly Discipling Our Members and What to Do About It
Rev. Brad Snyder
This session offers honest, gospel-centered guidance for pastors, teachers, and lay leaders to help those who struggle with ...
47. THE POWER OF DEEP CONNECTION: Engaging Women by Design
Sarah Proeber
Attendees will leave with actionable ideas to gauge momentum so women are known, supported, and sent for lasting kingdom ...
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 ...
49. PROBLEM-SOLVING AS CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP: Balancing Faith, Wisdom, and Action
Brent Nemmers
Participants will learn practical ways to identify issues, weigh options, navigate difficult conversations, and build consensus for lasting solutions ...
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, ...
51. RAISING A CHRIST-CENTERED CHILD IN A ME-CENTERED WORLD: Practical Tools for Parents and Church Leaders
Dr. Rhoda Wolle
This breakout will offer biblical encouragement and practical direction for raising Christ-centered children in today’s world ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
55. SCREENS AND SOULS: Helping Members Understand the Spiritual Impact of Technology
Martin Spriggs
Attendees will learn how to address the profound spiritual impact of technology with courage and wisdom ...
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 ...
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 ...
Challenged CongregationsCommunicationCulture-CongregationalLeadership-ManagementPlanningTeamwork-Team Building
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, ...
59. SMALL CHURCH, BIG MISSION: Making a Kingdom Impact with Limited Resources
Rev. Wayne Uhlhorn
This session equips leaders of small churches—whether rural, suburban, or urban—to maximize their mission potential without overextending their ...
60. STAFFING FOR MISSION: When to Add Staff and How to Choose the Right Role
Nathan Paul
This session helps church leaders move beyond assumptions to staffing decisions that are clear, strategic, and mission driven ...
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 ...
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 ...
CommunicationLeadership-ManagementPlanningProfessional DevelopmentTeamwork-Team BuildingVolunteerism
63. VISION THAT INSPIRES SERVICE: Communicating a Christ-Centered Future in Ways that Move God’s People to Action
Dr. Stacy Jensen
Participants will learn how to shape vision in ways that are firmly grounded in God’s Word, inspired by ...
64. THE WEIGHT AND THE WONDER: Dealing with Guilt in Ministry
Rev. Don Patterson
This session will explore the biblical foundation for resilience in ministry, especially as it relates to the church ...
65. WIRED DIFFERENTLY: Understanding Personalities to Strengthen Ministry Teams
Marilyn Sievert
Attendees will learn how to adapt, communicate, and collaborate more effectively across personality lines ...
66. WOMEN TEACHING WOMEN: From Learners to Leaders
Alycia Cameron
Participants will learn how to design Bible studies that engage both hearts and minds and lead discussions that encourage ...
67. YOUNG WOMEN IN WELS: Understanding the Crisis and Building Connections
Dawn Schulz
Participants will learn how to build trust across generations, offer mentorship without overstepping, and provide safe spaces for young ...
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
Rev. Dr. Allan Buss
WELS leaders will gain a clearer picture of how the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod’s challenges and opportunities intersect ...Hosted by
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