Specialized Spiritual Care conference set for May

(LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)

LCMS Specialized Spiritual Care Ministry, formerly Specialized Pastoral Ministry, will host a conference in early May for those currently serving in Specialized Care contexts and those interested in learning more. The conference, which has options for both in-person (St. Louis) and online attendance, will begin at 1 p.m. Central time on May 6 and conclude at 3:15 p.m. Central time on May 7. In addition to presentations related to Specialized Care, the conference will offer several worship opportunities and an update from LCMS Specialized Spiritual Care Ministry staff.

Presenters include:

A panel of LCMS district presidents, including LCMS Missouri District President Rev. Dr. R. Lee Hagan and LCMS Northern Illinois District President Rev. Dr. Allan R. Buss;

Rev. Dr. Jared Yogerst, director of spiritual care at Providence Place Senior Care in Minneapolis, Minn.;

Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Gibbs, professor emeritus at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis;

Rev. Dr. Ross Johnson, director of LCMS Disaster Response;

Chaplain (Army Lt. Col.) Steven C. Hokana, assistant director of LCMS Ministry to the Armed Forces; and

Rev. Brian Heller, manager of LCMS Specialized Spiritual Care Ministry, and Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor, managing director of LCMS Human Care and Ministerial Support.

Topics include:

Spiritual care as a fire department chaplain;

Confessional chaplaincy in a secular setting;

Disaster response and the chaplaincy;

Resurrection Gospel and spiritual care; and

Liturgical participation and memory care.

Registration for the in-person conference, which will be held at the LCMS International Center in St. Louis, is $50 per person and includes supper on May 6 and lunch on May 7. The deadline to register is April 19, with participation limited to 110 people. Attendees will have access to view recorded sessions for 90 days after the conference ends.

Registration for the online attendance option is $25 and may be used by an individual, couple, family or group. Registration for online participation will remain open up to and throughout the conference and also provides access to view recorded sessions for 90 days after the conference ends.

Any professional church work student at a Concordia university or LCMS seminary may attend at no cost. For more information about this discount, send an email to specializedcare@lcms.org.

“We look forward to hosting this conference,” Heller said. “We hope it provides an opportunity for our community of Specialized Care church workers and those interested in serving in specialized contexts to gather, learn from one another and grow together as we spread the salvific message of Christ crucified to those entrusted to our care.”

Learn more and register.

Posted Feb. 8, 2024