‘Ambassadors’ sets first ‘Lifestyles of Reconciliation’ event

Who wouldn’t want to do all they could to promote peace in their churches, homes and workplaces?

Equipping more Lutherans to foster such peace is the aim of the first-ever “Cultivating Lifestyles of Reconciliation” conference planned for April 16-18 at Chapel of the Cross Lutheran Church in St. Peters, Mo. — just west of St. Louis.

It’s sponsored by Ambassadors of Reconciliation, an LCMS Recognized Service Organization that since 2004 has prepared reconcilers throughout the LCMS — there are currently 160 — and conducted numerous reconciliation seminars and training events nationwide each year.

Conference registration is from 4 to 7 p.m. April 16 and the closing session is scheduled to end at noon on April 18.

Between those times, there will be four “general” plenary sessions and participants will be able to choose from among more than 20 workshops to attend during five workshop sessions.

“Our conference is packed with inspirational speakers from around the world and dozens of educational workshops led by peacemaking experts and centered on God, His Word and His plan for cultivating lifestyles of reconciliation,” according to a statement on the Ambassadors website.

“Whether you are new to peacemaking or you have been through training and already serve as a reconciler, this conference is for you.”

“The target is really that broad,” Dwight Schettler, Ambassadors of Reconciliation’s vice-president for Advancement, told Reporter.

“Lay persons and clergy wishing to find out what reconciliation is all about will be able to attend workshops that introduce them to the topic, giving them very practical steps to take when they get back to their homes, churches and workplaces,” Schettler said. “Trained reconcilers will be able to dig deeper in more advanced workshops to hone their craft and calling.

“All will find the worship and fellowship of plenary sessions motivational.”

Scheduled speakers include:

Ted Kober, of Billings, Mont., who is president of Ambassadors of Reconciliation.

the Rev. Dr. Jose Pfallenzeller, professor of Systematic and Practical Theology at Seminario Concordia in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Dr. Beverly Yahnke, a licensed psychologist and chairman of the Department of Social Sciences at Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon, Wis., and executive director of Christian Counsel for DOXOLOGY: The Lutheran Center for Spiritual Care and Council.

the Rev. Bruce Zagel, director of Reconciliation Ministry for the Lutheran Church of Australia.

Schettler said that although their specific topics had not been identified at the time of this story, “all four speakers are presenting on the topic of biblical peacemaking and reconciliation. All are quite experienced in this area and have witnessed the power of the Gospel transforming lives and relationships where the situations are otherwise hopeless.”

The conference registration fee of $199 covers all sessions and materials and includes the lunch and banquet on April 17.

A conference rate of $95 (plus tax) per room, per night is available for lodging at the Hampton Inn in nearby St. Charles, Mo., and the Country Inn and Suites, St. Peters. And tickets may be purchased for shuttle service between those locations and the conference site.

For online registration and more details about this first Cultivating Lifestyles of Reconciliation conference and Ambassadors of Reconciliation, visit hisaor.org.

There is no registration deadline. However, conference participation is limited to the first 200 individuals who register.

For a schedule of other training events offered by Ambassadors of Reconciliation, click here.

Posted Dec. 9, 2014