Synod congregations, mission societies, districts, seminaries, and former missionaries should be receiving in February information about “New Directions ’05 — A Networking Conference for Mission Responders,” to be held April 28-May 1 at the St. Louis Airport Marriott. Theme of the conference is “Responding with Hearts Ablaze!”
The conference is sponsored by LCMS World Mission to help mission leaders in congregations and mission societies understand current mission trends, learn from mission experts, share experiences with one another, and become more involved in mission in their own communities and worldwide.
Anyone with an interest in mission work is welcome to attend the four-day conference, which will offer plenary presentations, small-group discussions, a cross-cultural “learning event,” how-to workshops, worship, and daily Bible study.
Major presenters and their topics include:
- Dr. Reggie McNeal, author, consultant, and director of the leadership team for the South Carolina Baptist Convention, “Responding to Tough Questions in our Churches.”
- Dr. George Hunter III, professor of evangelism and growth at Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Ky., “Responding to a Secular and Postmodern Society” and “Models for Congregational Mission Response.”
- Steve Saint, missionary and founder of Indigenous People’s Technology and Education Center, “Responding to Global Partners — How to Work Effectively with Indigenous Christians” and “The Cost and Results of Responding to God’s Mission Call.”
- Dr. Roland Miller, author and former professor of Islam and world religions at Luther College, University of Regina, Saskatchewan, “Responding to Islam.”
- Rev. B. Steve Hughey, director of the Mission Responders Network with LCMS World Mission, “New Mission Discoveries and Implications for Responders.”
The conference also will offer a dozen breakout sessions on topics such as responding to mission opportunities in Africa; using small groups; gauging congregational mission health; sharing lessons learned from Pentecost 2000+; helping elementary, high-school, and college students respond to God’s mission; learning from Ablaze!; and using Ablaze! resources.
Leading Bible studies will be Dr. Kent Hunter, author, consultant, and executive director of Church Doctor Ministries in Corunna, Ind.
Registration before March 15 is $200 and includes all meals. Lodging is extra. After that date, registration is $225 per person.
For more information, or to register online, go to www.lcmsworldmission.org/newdirections. Information also is available by calling (800) 433-3954, Ext. 1316, or sending an e-mail to newdirections@lcms.org.
Posted Feb. 2, 2005
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