Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and Peace Officer Ministries Inc. (POM) are offering a workshop May 23-27 on “Christian Law Enforcement Chaplaincy — Theology and Practice.”
The five-day workshop, which will be held on the seminary campus, is designed to offer accredited training for chaplains, peace officers and pastors by focusing on effective Christian ministry to and through law enforcement.
Principles covered during the workshop include understanding law enforcement as vocation (God’s calling); distinguishing and properly applying Law and Gospel and God’s Two Kingdoms within a law enforcement context; addressing practical, legal, historical, cultural and missiological considerations; employing Christian stress management and officer spiritual survival strategies; and identifying characteristics of a competent Christian chaplain.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) course component meets DHS guidelines for first responders. Continuing Education Units will be awarded for full participation.
Rev. Steve Lee, founding chaplain of POM, will serve as the introductory speaker May 23. Other presenters include Stephanie Abernethy, wife of a slain Houston police officer; Michael Dahmer, a former police officer with expertise in homeland security; Dr. Denny Conroy, a licensed psychologist in St. Paul, Minn.; Daniel Dusseu, chief of police at Northern Virginia Community College; Steve Gielda, vice-chairman of the POM Board of Directors; Assistant Police Chief William Jones, Perryville, Mo.; Dr. Thomas Mijares, professor of Criminal Justice at Texas State University, Austin; Chad Montgomery, a detective with the Greensboro, N.C., police department; Rev. Frank Ruffatto, POM executive director and chaplain; and Steven Ruffatto, professor of Criminal Justice at Elizabethtown College, York, Pa.
Registration is $350 and includes most meals. Limited on-campus housing is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Housing is dormitory-style, with shared bathrooms and showers. Rooms are on the second floor and are not handicap-accessible. Rates are $40 per night for singles and married couples, and $25 per night for a shared room.
Deadline for registration is May 16. Walk-ins will not be accepted.
For more information, contact the seminary’s office of Continuing Education and Parish Services at 314-505-7486, send an email to ce@csl.edu or visit the seminary’s website at www.csl.edu to download a brochure.
Posted May 5, 2011
