[ The following conference having now been completed, you may find its audio files at http://augustanaministerium.org/essays ]
2010 Theological Conference and Plenary
May 17–19, 2010
Administrative Council:
Rev. Bruce Ley, Superintendent; Rev. Dr. Kent Heimbigner,
Legate;
Rev. Drew Newman, Recording Secretary; Rev. Gregory Schultz, Bursar;
Rev. Eric Stefanski, Dean of Communications; Rev. Dr. Steven Hein, Dean
of Education;
Rt. Rev. James Heiser, Dean of Missions; Rev. Dr. Micheal Strong, Dean
of
Pastoral Care;
Rev. Anthony Oncken, Dean of Pastoral Recruitment
The Fifth Annual Theological Conference
and Plenary
Session of The Augustana Ministerium will be held May 17-19,
2010, hosted by Charity Lutheran Church, 1101 S.W. Wilshire Blvd.,
Burleson, TX
and her pastor,
the Rev. Dr. Kent Heimbigner.
This year’s conference theme, “Lives in the
Balance,”
focuses on how Confessional Lutherans go about equipping people for the
world’s fight and the soul’s salvation. From education to citizenship,
apologetics to the proper use of the Law and the Gospel to steer people
away from both boredom and despair, the shape of the enemy’s weapons
and our response to them will be brought into view.
The theological portion of the program is open to
members and
non-members, clergy and laity alike. The Plenary Session of the
Ministerium will be open to all attendees, except during an executive
session, should one be called. The cost of the conference will be $30.
(For members of The Augustana Ministerium or The Augustana
Confraternity, having paid your 2010 dues—$50 for Ministerium members,
$40 for Confraternity members—will cause this $30 fee to be considered
already paid. Thus, membership in the Ministerium or Confraternity is
an amazing value for those who are able to attend the conference…and
still a very good value for those who cannot attend!)
We have a fine slate of speakers for this conference:
1. “Reclaiming the Old Lutheran Axiom: We Teach Our Own—To Keep our Baptized Children Alive.” Exploring the kind of education our children need today. What has happened to the priority of educating our own? What do our children need to become equipped for the spiritual warfare they will face in their world of today and tomorrow. Catechesis, yes...but more—what content and what kind of pedagogy is needed. Where is the responsibility of parents? Pastors? Our congregations? What about the classical model? Rev. Richard Sawyer, essayist
2. “Nurturing the Foundations of Faith: Equipping God’s People to Defend Against the Reasoned Arguments of Unbelief.” This topic would cover the importance and the needed focus for Christian Apologetics as a vital element of our equipping in the Gospel. For our youth? For our adults? For our pastors? Rev. Anthony Oncken, essayist
3. The Balanced Spiritual Diet of Full-Strength Law and Gospel, and the Deadly Signs of Imbalance (Boredom and Despair).” This is not to be simply a review of “Law/Gospel 101,” but rather, what are the common misunderstandings or failings we fall into here and what do we need to be clear on to keep them rightly divided and at full strength. Rev. Michael Henson, essayist
4. “Instilling Christian Citizenship: The Freedom of Grace and the Bondage of the Neighbor.” What do your people need to understand, and at the earliest ages, about the character of faith and life in both kingdoms? What are the common failings we have, the common misunder- standings our people have, and how do we make it clear in our preaching and teaching. Rev. Dr. Steven A. Hein, essayist
5. “The Seven Deadly Values of Contemporary Culture: The Shape of the Enemy’s Weapons against Our People Today” If our people are face with challenges from the world, the flesh, and the Devil—what are the seven most deadly temptations and afflictions that our people must contend with in their contemporary world. How can they best be armed to defend against them? Bishop James Heiser, essayist
Watch for more announcements coming soon, and check out the reading lists that have been posted to help you prepare for our conference!
Rev. Dr. Steven A. Hein, Dean of Education
The Augustana Ministerium
Make checks payable to:
The Augustana Ministerium
c/o The Rev. Gregory J. Schultz, Bursar
721 Payne Avenue
North Tonawanda, NY 14120