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Rev. Caleb Bassett

Tuesday, Jan 24

3:15 – 4:30 pm

Evangelism

48. PREPARED TO GIVE AN ANSWER

Weaving Apologetics into Everyday Ministry

In recent years, apologetics—the art of explaining and defending the Christian faith—has become a hot topic in churches and schools. Across society, skepticism toward Christianity is growing, and believers are feeling that pressure in classrooms, workplaces, and even among friends and neighbors. At the same time, many people who have little interest in “church shopping” remain open to meaningful conversations about life and purpose. The challenge is clear: Are our members equipped to respond when those conversations arise?

Apologetics is not about winning arguments. It is about pointing people to Christ with confidence, clarity, and compassion. It is not a niche subject reserved for a Bible class or an academic setting but a vital part of discipleship that can and should be woven into multiple areas of congregational ministry: sermons, catechism, youth ministry, Christian education, and everyday relationships. This breakout will explore why apologetics matters now more than ever and how congregations can prepare their members both to stand firm under challenge and to speak with gentleness and respect. Together we’ll consider practical ways to help Christians of every age be “prepared to give an answer.”

Rev. Caleb Bassett serves as pastor at Our Redeemer, Madison, Wis. Previously he served in San Diego County, Calif. He was a member of the executive committee of the WELS Hymnal Project and chairman of the project’s technology subcommittee. He has been a guest panelist on The White Horse Inn, a program and podcast on theology and culture, and has earned a fellowship with the International Academy of Apologetics, Evangelism, and Human Rights in Strasbourg, France. He currently serves as director of the WELS Institute for Lutheran Apologetics.

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Breakout Presentations

01. THE ART OF LISTENING AND ASKING QUESTIONS: Unlocking the Heart of Ministry

02. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND THE CHURCH: Embracing Tools, Avoiding Traps

03. BEYOND CASH: Smarter Ways God’s People Can Give

04. THE BUDGET IS THE PLAN: Aligning Strategy, Spending, and Stewardship

05. BUILDING A COHESIVE SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TEAM: Leading Together in Lutheran Education

06. BUILDING A CULTURE OF OUTREACH: A Game Plan for Every WELS Church

07. CLARIFYING CLERGY AND LAY ROLES: Leading Together in the Life of the Church

08. COME AND SEE: Planning Worship so Members Will Invite Guests

09. COMMUNICATING YOUR MISSION WITH CLARITY: Branding, Messaging, and Community Connection

10. COUNTING WHAT COUNTS: Goals, Metrics, and the Spirit’s Work

11. DEVELOPING A CLEAR PATH OF DISCIPLESHIP: A Proven Process for Congregational Membership and Leadership Development

12. DIGITAL OUTREACH IN A POST-CHRISTIAN WORLD: Supporting Relational Evangelism Without Replacing It

13. THE EMOTIONALLY INTELLIGENT LEADER: Managing Yourself to Lead Others

14. FAITH FORMATION IN SCHOOLS THAT STICKS: Building a Lutheran Worldview in the Next Generation

15. FAITHFUL AND FUNDED: Rethinking How We Support Lutheran Schools

16. THE FAMILY ALTAR: Empowering Homes as the Primary Place of Youth Discipleship

17. FEEDBACK AND THE PULPIT: Turning Polite Praise into Meaningful Insights

18. THE FOCUS TAX: How Much Are You Paying?

19. THE FORGOTTEN GENERATION: Ministry to Young Adults in Their 20s

20. FREELY GIVEN, FREELY GIVE: Building a Culture of Gospel-Driven Generosity

21. FROM 20/80 TO 100 PERCENT: Breaking the Volunteer Bottleneck

22. FROM BULLETIN TO BROADCAST: Modernizing Church Communication Without Losing Anyone

23. FROM CHRISTIAN WORSHIP TO THE FOUNDATION: Planning Smarter, Leading Better

24. FROM ENROLLMENT TO ENGAGEMENT: Making Your School a True Evangelism Effort

25. FROM ORGANIC TO ORGANIZED: How Leadership and Operations Must Evolve as Churches Grow

26. FROM SOCIAL CIRCLES TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH: Small Groups that Make Disciples, Not Just Friends

27. FROM TALK TO TRACTION: Making All Ministry Teams More Effective

28. GOSPEL CONVERSATIONS IN THE LGBTQ WORLD: Meeting Impossible Standards with the Grace of Christ

29. THE GRACE TO LEAD CHANGE WELL: Navigating Transition Without Losing Mission or People

30. THE GREAT COMMISSION IN LUTHERAN SCHOOLS: Nurture, Outreach, and School Growth

31. HEARING IT STRAIGHT FROM TODAY’S YOUTH: A Comprehensive Study of WELS Young People

32. HOPE FOR THE CHALLENGED CHURCH: Diagnosing Decline and Charting a Path Forward

33. HOSPITALITY BOOTCAMP: Evangelism in Action

34. THE LAWSUIT YOU DIDN’T SEE COMING: Building a Legally Resilient School

35. LEADERSHIP AS INFLUENCE: Shaping Culture and Lives Without a Title

36. LEADING WITH CONSENSUS IN YOUR CHURCH: From Votes to Voices

37. A LEGACY OF LOVE: Inspiring Generosity that Endures Beyond This Life

38. A LUTHERAN LENS ON MODERN HYMNODY: Evaluating the Theology, Use, and Impact of Modern Hymns

39. MINISTERING TO SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ABUSE: Compassion, Care, and Christ

40. MINISTERING TO AN AGING CONGREGATION: A Golden Opportunity!

41. ON THE CLOCK, STILL ON MISSION: Following Christ at Work

42. ONE GOSPEL, MANY PEOPLES: Readiness for Cultural Diversity in the Church

43. OUR CONFESSIONAL LUTHERAN IDENTITY: Doctrine, Practice, and a Distinct Gospel Witness

44. PLANNING THAT WORKS: Strategic, Tactical, and Operational Planning

45. POLITICS IN THE PEWS: Living in Two Kingdoms

46. THE PORN PANDEMIC IN OUR PEWS: How Pornography Is Quietly Discipling Our Members and What to Do About It

47. THE POWER OF DEEP CONNECTION: Engaging Women by Design  

48. PREPARED TO GIVE AN ANSWER: Weaving Apologetics into Everyday Ministry

49. PROBLEM-SOLVING AS CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP: Balancing Faith, Wisdom, and Action

50. THE QUIET RETURN: Gen Z Men’s Renewed Interest in Christianity

51. RAISING A CHRIST-CENTERED CHILD IN A ME-CENTERED WORLD: Practical Tools for Parents and Church Leaders

52. RAISING THE BAR: A Culture of High Expectations for Discipleship

53. RETHINKING EVANGELISM: Why Yesterday’s Methods Miss Today’s Hearts

54. SACRAMENTAL IDENTITY FOR TODAY’S CHURCH: Timeless Gifts for Our Time in History

55. SCREENS AND SOULS: Helping Members Understand the Spiritual Impact of Technology

56. SERVANT LEADERS: Young Adults Modeling Christ’s Way

57. SERVING THE UNDERSERVED: Reaching and Discipling People with Special Needs

58. SHADOW OF THE LEADER: Using the Culture Change Course Map

59. SMALL CHURCH, BIG MISSION: Making a Kingdom Impact with Limited Resources

60. STAFFING FOR MISSION: When to Add Staff and How to Choose the Right Role

61. UNSTUCK: Breaking Growth Barriers with Courage, Clarity, and Calling

62. USING COMMUNITY SERVICE TO MAXIMIZE THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL

63. VISION THAT INSPIRES SERVICE: Communicating a Christ-Centered Future in Ways that Move God’s People to Action

64. THE WEIGHT AND THE WONDER: Dealing with Guilt in Ministry

65. WIRED DIFFERENTLY: Understanding Personalities to Strengthen Ministry Teams

66. WOMEN TEACHING WOMEN: From Learners to Leaders

67. YOUNG WOMEN IN WELS: Understanding the Crisis and Building Connections

68. YOUR CHURCH’S STORY: Preserving History with Purpose

69. THE FUTURE OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH–MISSOURI SYNOD: One LCMS District President’s Perspective

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