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.
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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, ...
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 ...


