This year’s LCMS National Children’s Ministry Conference is set for July 7-10 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Orange, Calif. Its theme is “Sandals to Sneakers,” based on Luke 2:52 — “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” 
The conference, hosted by the LCMS Pacific Southwest District, is designed for professional and volunteer teachers, directors of children’s ministry, directors of Christian education, pastors, directors of family ministry, early childhood directors and teachers, Sunday school teachers, care professionals for school-age children, vacation Bible school staff and others who minister to children.
Dr. David Walsh, founder of the National Institute on Media and Family, and Dr. Mary Manz Simon, an author, parenting specialist and consultant, will serve as pre-conference speakers on July 7.
The four-day conference will feature a variety of workshops designed to offer participants practical, tested ideas and techniques for effective ministries with children (early childhood through sixth grade).
Plenary sessions will be led by Rev. Todd and Kellie Stocker of Woodbury, Minn., and Michelle Thompson, director of Community Life and overseer of Children’s Ministry at CrossPoint Community Church (Westgreen), Katy, Texas. Rev. Stocker is campus pastor at Concordia University, St. Paul, Minn., and Kellie Stocker was a speaker at the 2010 National LCMS Youth Gathering.
Closing worship will be led by Dr. Michael Gibson, senior pastor at Christ Lutheran Church, Costa Mesa, Calif.
Conference participants also will have the opportunity to view an exhibit of artwork contributed by children in Lutheran congregations and schools across the nation and visit the “Ministry Market Place” where exhibitors will share resources and information.
“The conference program is designed to engage the imagination, refresh enthusiasm, give practical advice and sharpen ministry skills in various areas of children’s ministries,” said Rachel Klitzing, executive director of School Ministries for the Pacific Southwest District.
Cost of the conference ranges from $110 to $150, depending on the number of participants from an individual congregation.
For more information or to register for the conference or the pre-conference program, contact Klitzing at rachel.klitzing@psd-lcms.org or visit the website www.lcms.org/children.
Posted Dec. 22, 2010
