Rev. Mark Gabb
Sean Young
Tuesday, Jan 24
3:15 – 4:30 pm
Leading Together in the Life of the Church
Is the pastor the operational leader, the visionary leader, the spiritual shepherd—or all of the above? (Is that even realistic?) The answer depends on your church’s size, culture, and the Spirit-given gifts of your people. This session helps you define and balance roles in a way that fits your unique context—whether you’re in a large congregation with many volunteers or a small church with a faithful core. We’ll explore the pastor’s essential responsibilities—preaching, teaching, administering the sacraments, and equipping the saints for ministry—while identifying where lay leaders can lead, serve, and support the mission.
Participants will learn how to develop a culture of collaboration, maintain pastoral focus on the means of grace, and prevent burnout through shared ministry and leadership. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of how clergy and laity can serve together, making the most of the Spirit’s gifts for the good of his Church.
Rev. Mark Gabb has more than two decades of leadership experience, having begun his ministry in 1999 in Marietta, Ohio, before accepting a call to Beverly Hills, Fla., in 2005. While in Florida, Pastor Gabb led a congregation with a Pre-K through Grade 8 school and helped establish a retirement community, broadening the congregation’s mission field on campus. Rev. Gabb also served as chairman of the South Atlantic District Mission Board and later as chairman for the Board for Home Missions. He has enjoyed working alongside many talented members and leaders in his congregations, district, and throughout WELS.
In January 2024, Rev. Gabb began serving as WELS Board for Home Missions administrator. He works closely with many pastors and dedicated lay members to start new missions throughout North America. He is married to Angie, a nurse. They reside in Oconomowoc, Wis., and have three adult children, two of whom are married.
Sean Michael Young has been a WELS member since being confirmed as an adult at St. Lucas (Milwaukee, Wis.) in 1982. After graduating from Bay View High School in 1981, Sean worked in restaurants before earning his BFA from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee in 1991.
After graduation, Sean served the UW system for 14 years at the campus and the system level, helping launch UW Learning Innovations to expand online education. He later directed operations for engineering and mechanical subcontracting firms before joining WELS in 2012 as director of WELS Missions operations, working until March 2025 when he accepted a call to serve as the director of mission advancement at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary.
Sean has been an active leader in each of the congregations he’s been a member of along the way. Sean married Kirsten Manzeck in 1986, and they have two children, Athena (Sam) and Neil (Kelsey).
