Rural, Small Town Conference set for fall

Registration opens April 1 for the 2013 National LCMS Rural and Small Town Mission Conference, Oct. 31-Nov. 2 at the Kansas City Airport Marriott in Kansas City, Mo.

The conference — with the theme “Planting in a Changing World” — is designed for congregational leaders from all rural and small-town settings.

“What an exciting time it is to be engaged in Rural and Small Town Mission,” said the Rev. Todd E. Kollbaum, director of the Synod’s Rural and Small Town Mission office and a conference organizer.

“Making up over half of our beloved Synod’s congregations, rural and small-town congregations are positioned wonderfully by our Lord to be His hands and feet to an ever increasingly troubled world. To that end, I give thanks to God that through the Office of National Mission the LCMS is focusing on strengthening and revitalizing this most important part of our church body. It is my humble joy to be working alongside district and congregational leaders and pastors to endeavor to continue sharing the love of Christ where God has planted us.”

Speakers, in addition to Kollbaum, include:

• the Rev. Dr. Paul Maier, LCMS third vice-president, noted author and The Russell H. Seibert Professor of Ancient History emeritus at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Mich.;

• the Rev. Jonathan Fisk, pastor of Bethany Lutheran Church in Naperville, Ill., and “Worldview Everlasting” video blogger;

• Dr. Adam Francisco, associate professor of History and Political Thought at Concordia University, Irvine, Calif., and expert in Islamic worldviews; and

• Dr. Shannon Jung, professor at the Saint Paul School of Theology, Kansas City, and noted rural-ministry author.

Participants also may choose to attend breakout sessions on topics such as older adult ministry, inactive members, challenges and opportunities for Lutheran schools, vacation Bible school and Sunday school ideas, stewardship and human-care projects.

Conference registration is $200 and includes all sessions and materials, some meals and post-conference training.

Lodging is available at the Marriott for $83 per night, plus taxes. Call the hotel at 816-464-2200 or click here.

For more information or to register, visit lcms.org/rstm/conference, call 888-463-5127 or send an email to coordinator Amy Gerdts at amy.gerdts@lcms.org.

Gerdts encouraged those who want to attend the conference to register early. Deadlines are Sept. 15 for conference registration and Sept. 30 for hotel reservations.