Lawyer, Lawn guy, layman, or pastor? What should I do with the rest of my life? Rev. George Borghardt Budig 110

Transcription

1 Session A Lawyer, Lawn guy, layman, or pastor? What should I do with the rest of my life? Rev. George Borghardt Budig 110 My grandparents were lawyers. Two of my three brothers are lawyers. The other makes the big bucks in the tech industry. Was I supposed to be a lawyer? What should you be? What does God want you to be and why does He want to you to be it? College? Junior College? Apprenticeship? Will God love you more if you're a pastor than if you were a lawyer? These and other questions about your future will be answered as we look at the doctrine of vocation. Pastor Borghardt serves Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bossier City, LA, is the President of Higher Things. revborghardt@higherthings.org Jesus Christ is the Exorcist Rev. John Dreyer Budig 130 In Mark, the first thing Jesus does is an exorcism. We will learn how we, as Christians, respond to spiritual temptations, struggles, and conflict in the face of a demonic and sinful world. We will discuss questions regarding exorcisms, possessed homes, and other claimed spiritual manifestations. What are superstitions? What is real and what is not? There is a real spiritual battle in a face of a sinful world but even more, we will learn how to see it in "the joy in the battle won" in Christ Jesus. Rev. Dreyer is the Director of Admissions for Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN. john.dreyer@ctsfw.edu 500 Years: From Reformation to... This??? Rev. Dr. Chris Ascher Lindley 317 Have you ever wondered what a Denomination is and why we have so many of them? Where do they come from? What do they believe? Put together an interactive 3D timeline to see how and why Christianity looks the way it looks. It s a quick overview of Church History that helps us understand the similarities and differences we have with other Christian churches. Pastor Ascher serves Resurrection Lutheran Church and Lutheran High School of Sioux Falls in Sioux Falls, SD. pastor@resurrectionsf.org Demons, Pigs, and Your Baptism Rev. Daniel Voth Lindley 412 In Mark chapter 5, Jesus heals a man of demons, casts them into pigs, and all 2,000 pigs are drowned and the people tell Jesus to leave... so what does this have to do with me and why should I care? Luther s Small Catechism teaches What benefit does Baptism give? It works the forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal life to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare. Rescues from death and the devil? We will look at a great account from the life of Christ Jesus which teaches us that rescue in an amazing way and it s meaning for your Baptized life. Pastor Voth serves Immanuel Lutheran Church in Grand Forks, ND. voth@immanuelgf.org Farting at the Devil: Standing Against the Devil s Temptation Rev. Sean Kilgo Marlott 1001 Martin Luther joked (maybe) that when the devil confronted him, he would in turn break wind in the devil s direction. Here, Luther expressed his great confidence in the face of the devil s temptations. But what was the source of this confidence? Why could Luther stand confidently in the face of all the devil s accusations? What does he go? It was because Luther had the great assurance of his sins being forgiven, an assurance he gained because the scriptures were clear. The clarity of the Bible was a major source of comfort for both Luther and the reformers, one it seems many today have forgotten (or never learned). Let s re-discover this joy together! Pastor Kilgo serves with the Northeast Kansas Partnership in Fairview, Sabetha, and Hiawatha, KS. sean.kilgo@ctsfw.edu

2 The Three Realms Rev. Steve Cholak Marlott 2001 You have a calling! Christ calls each of us into vocations. We suffer, live, learn, grow, and interact in three realms or kingdoms. We live, work, and do in all three of them at the same time and we are called to specific duties and responsibilities in each of these realms. The three realms collide in the Christian life. Our vocations have something to do with how we love and who we serve. Who can live in three kingdoms at the same time? You can! Pastor Cholak serves Immanuel Lutheran Church in Roswell, NM and is an American Sign Language Interpreter for the 2018 Higher Things conferences. revcholak@me.com Who s the Prince of Persia? And Other Awesome Questions and Answers about Angels and Demons Rev. Alex Post Marlott 2048 You see and hear lots of things about angels and demons. What s true? What s false? What does God teach us in His holy Word, the Bible? What are angels? What are demons? What do we know for certain about angels and demons? What are their names? What do they do? You can t usually see them. But you know they re there. The angels worship Jesus Christ with us. They teach us Christ. They defend us. Bring your questions. Bring your conceptions and misconceptions. You know you want to come to this sectional. Pastor Post serves Redeemer Lutheran Church in Marshalltown, IA. alexpost1226@gmail.com Prometheus and the Age of 'Science': How to be Pro-Life in a Culture of Death Rev. Matthew Durance Marlott 2074 The myth of Prometheus is often interpreted as a symbol of "striving too far with unintended consequences" as well as "human achievement and progress". Within our world modern science is often cited to justify things like samesex marriage, transgenderism, abortion, and Physician-assisted suicide. However, like the myth of Prometheus, all of these things have consequences that harm many individuals and are often not supported by science at all! In this session we will seek to discuss how to be pro-life and uphold a confessional belief regarding human life from conception to natural death while being equipped with a working knowledge on how science defends the pro-life position and is in fact pro-science". Pastor Durance serves Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Greenleaf, KS. pr.matthew.durance@gmail.com Women and the Church Sandra Ostapowich Strong 330 Nearly every Christian denomination has women serving as pastors today. Countless women sincerely believe they are called by God to serve Him in this way. In comparison, we seem so backwards and unenlightened because we don t believe in women s ordination. And, to be honest, sometimes the explanations we give for that position really do sound like we consider women to be second-class human beings. Is that really what the Bible teaches about women? Come and learn how to read the Bible like a Lutheran, finding Christ at the center of it all, and see how that sheds new light on the ways we view women s ordination, and women in general. Sandra Ostapowich is a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Plano, TX and is the Conference Executive for Higher Things. sandra@higherthings.org The IONs of the Faith Rev. Jason Toombs Summerfield 427 Luther often asked, What does this mean? It seems his question has been lost to a society where words mean whatever we want them to mean and what is needed most in our day is the definition of words. We will look at words that end in ion which pertain to the life of Jesus (Incarnation, Crucifixion, Passion, Exaltation, Resurrection, Ascension) as well as the life of the Church (Justification, Transgression, Redemption, Salvation), unpack what these words mean, look at the Scriptures, and see how we can help others understand what it means to be a Lutheran. Pastor Toombs serves Zion Lutheran Church in Downs, KS. jason.toombs@gmail.com

3 Instagram, Facebook and Jesus Rev. James Woelmer Wescoe 3139 What is the good, the bad and the ugly use of Social Media? What is the impact of Social Media on youth today? How has Social Media helped and/or destroyed relationships? How should we confess Christ in various forms of media? We will look at the use of Social Media in light of God's law and Gospel. Pastor Woelmer serves Faith Lutheran Church in Plano, TX. Best Friends For...NEVER! Restoring Broken Relationships Rev. Paul Warneke Wescoe 3140 Were you friends with someone and now you re not? Did you have an argument that drove a wedge between you and your former friend? Are they being so unreasonable that it would take nothing short of a miracle for the friendship to be restored? Guess what! God is in the business of working miracles. And there are passages of Scripture that deal specifically with this very matter. Join us as we study God s way of restoring broken relationships. Pastor Warneke serves Zion Ev. Lutheran Church and School in Hastings, NE. pastorwarneke@hotmail.com In Praise of Virtue: Why the Reformers read the Ancients and you should, too! Jocelyn Benson Wescoe 4001 Philip Melanchthon said, There has been no better or more outstanding painter of our nobler and more divine part than Homer. In this session, we will briefly explore why the Reformers lauded the ancients (Homer, etc.) and why you, too, should consider giving the ancients a read. Far from being the dry writings of dead guys, the pens of these ancient pagans overflow with wisdom, eloquence, praise of virtue, and condemnation of vice. In our day, just as in the days of the Reformers, we have much to learn from the Ancients! Jocelyn Benson is the Head Teacher for Wittenberg Academy. mrsbenson@wittenbergacademy.org Reaching out to differently-abled peers Deaconess Sarah Gaffney Wescoe 4007 We all know of someone with different abilities...maybe they are visually impaired, use a wheelchair or a device to communicate. Maybe it is that student who acts out in class that we think of as different. Could God intend for someone with disabilities to be our friend? Could He have a plan for us to share His love with someone who we perceive as being different"? This session will introduce youth to various disabilities, help them to understand how life can be different for someone with physical or cognitive disabilities, and learn easy ways to reach out to "differently-abled" peers in effective and appropriate ways. This session includes hands-on activities such as walking with a sight cane, dressing with hands that are disabled or feeling Braille or learn some wheelchair etiquette. Deaconess Gaffney is a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Grant Park, IL and serves with Voice of Care in Chicago, IL. deaconesssarah@voiceofcare.org Coveting. Calling. Contentment Rev. Jacob Gaugert Wescoe 4008 Current American society primes young people from early on to always seek their full potential and success in life be it in academics, reputation, and especially in financial and material success. Better grades, more likes and friends in social media, nicer cars, nicer and bigger homes, etc. What we often overlook with this constant encouragement is the discouragement and dissatisfaction this attitude forms toward the blessings and the people the Lord has already placed in our lives. This session will seek to instill in the hearers a contentment in their daily callings and situations in creation as blessed and baptized in Christ. Pastor Gaugert serves as a Missionary through the LCMS Office of International Mission in Dapaong, Togo (West Africa). jacob.gaugert@lcmsintl.org

4 Session B Lawyer, Lawn guy, layman, or pastor? What should I do with the rest of my life? Rev. George Borghardt Budig 110 My grandparents were lawyers. Two of my three brothers are lawyers. The other makes the big bucks in the tech industry. Was I supposed to be a lawyer? What should you be? What does God want you to be and why does He want to you to be it? College? Junior College? Apprenticeship? Will God love you more if you're a pastor than if you were a lawyer? These and other questions about your future will be answered as we look at the doctrine of vocation. Pastor Borghardt serves Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bossier City, LA, is the President of Higher Things. revborghardt@higherthings.org Jesus Christ is the Exorcist Rev. John Dreyer Budig 130 In Mark, the first thing Jesus does is an exorcism. We will learn how we, as Christians, respond to spiritual temptations, struggles, and conflict in the face of a demonic and sinful world. We will discuss questions regarding exorcisms, possessed homes, and other claimed spiritual manifestations. What are superstitions? What is real and what is not? There is a real spiritual battle in a face of a sinful world but even more, we will learn how to see it in "the joy in the battle won" in Christ Jesus. Rev. Dreyer is the Director of Admissions for Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN. john.dreyer@ctsfw.edu 500 Years: From Reformation to...this??? Rev. Dr. Chris Ascher Lindley 317 Have you ever wondered what a Denomination is and why we have so many of them? Where do they come from? What do they believe? Put together an interactive 3D timeline to see how and why Christianity looks the way it looks. It s a quick overview of Church History that helps us understand the similarities and differences we have with other Christian churches. Pastor Ascher serves Resurrection Lutheran Church and Lutheran High School of Sioux Falls in Sioux Falls, SD. pastor@resurrectionsf.org Demons, Pigs, and Your Baptism Rev. Daniel Voth Lindley 412 In Mark chapter 5, Jesus heals a man of demons, casts them into pigs, and all 2,000 pigs are drowned and the people tell Jesus to leave... so what does this have to do with me and why should I care? Luther s Small Catechism teaches What benefit does Baptism give? It works the forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal life to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare. Rescues from death and the devil? We will look at a great account from the life of Christ Jesus which teaches us that rescue in an amazing way and it s meaning for your Baptized life. Pastor Voth serves Immanuel Lutheran Church in Grand Forks, ND. voth@immanuelgf.org Farting at the Devil: Standing Against the Devil s Temptation Rev. Sean Kilgo Marlott 1001 Martin Luther joked (maybe) that when the devil confronted him, he would in turn break wind in the devil s direction. Here, Luther expressed his great confidence in the face of the devil s temptations. But what was the source of this confidence? Why could Luther stand confidently in the face of all the devil s accusations? What does he go? It was because Luther had the great assurance of his sins being forgiven, an assurance he gained because the scriptures were clear. The clarity of the Bible was a major source of comfort for both Luther and the reformers, one it seems many today have forgotten (or never learned). Let s re-discover this joy together! Pastor Kilgo serves with the Northeast Kansas Partnership in Fairview, Sabetha, and Hiawatha, KS. sean.kilgo@ctsfw.edu

5 The Three Realms Rev. Steve Cholak Marlott 2001 You have a calling! Christ calls each of us into vocations. We suffer, live, learn, grow, and interact in three realms or kingdoms. We live, work, and do in all three of them at the same time and we are called to specific duties and responsibilities in each of these realms. The three realms collide in the Christian life. Our vocations have something to do with how we love and who we serve. Who can live in three kingdoms at the same time? You can! Pastor Cholak serves Immanuel Lutheran Church in Roswell, NM and is an American Sign Language Interpreter for the 2018 Higher Things conferences. revcholak@me.com Who s the Prince of Persia? And Other Awesome Questions and Answers about Angels and Demons Rev. Alex Post Marlott 2048 You see and hear lots of things about angels and demons. What s true? What s false? What does God teach us in His holy Word, the Bible? What are angels? What are demons? What do we know for certain about angels and demons? What are their names? What do they do? You can t usually see them. But you know they re there. The angels worship Jesus Christ with us. They teach us Christ. They defend us. Bring your questions. Bring your conceptions and misconceptions. You know you want to come to this sectional. Pastor Post serves Redeemer Lutheran Church in Marshalltown, IA. alexpost1226@gmail.com The Entire History of Hymns (in 60 minutes or less) Rev. Robert Mayes Marlott 2074 In Col. 3:16, St. Paul says, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs..." And for a LONG time, Christians have done just that. But most of us don't know much about the rich and sometimes unusual history of hymns in Christianity. Do you know what was the earliest Christian hymn text that we know of outside Scripture? What did the earliest hymn tune sound like? What was distinctive about each age? And are hymns still being written today? Come hear Rev. Robert Mayes, who himself has written a few texts and composed over 57 different hymn tunes, on this fascinating topic. Pastor Mayes serves Immanuel Lutheran Church in Beemer and Zion St. John Lutheran Church in Wisner, NE. revmayes@hotmail.com Women and the Church Sandra Ostapowich Strong 330 Nearly every Christian denomination has women serving as pastors today. Countless women sincerely believe they are called by God to serve Him in this way. In comparison, we seem so backwards and unenlightened because we don t believe in women s ordination. And, to be honest, sometimes the explanations we give for that position really do sound like we consider women to be second-class human beings. Is that really what the Bible teaches about women? Come and learn how to read the Bible like a Lutheran, finding Christ at the center of it all, and see how that sheds new light on the ways we view women s ordination, and women in general. Sandra Ostapowich is a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Plano, TX and is the Conference Executive for Higher Things. sandra@higherthings.org The IONs of the Faith Rev. Jason Toombs Summerfield 427 Luther often asked, What does this mean? It seems his question has been lost to a society where words mean whatever we want them to mean and what is needed most in our day is the definition of words. We will look at words that end in ion which pertain to the life of Jesus (Incarnation, Crucifixion, Passion, Exaltation, Resurrection, Ascension) as well as the life of the Church (Justification, Transgression, Redemption, Salvation), unpack what these words mean, look at the Scriptures, and see how we can help others understand what it means to be a Lutheran. Pastor Toombs serves Zion Lutheran Church in Downs, KS. jason.toombs@gmail.com

6 Best Friends For...NEVER! Restoring Broken Relationships Rev. Paul Warneke Wescoe 3140 Were you friends with someone and now you re not? Did you have an argument that drove a wedge between you and your former friend? Are they being so unreasonable that it would take nothing short of a miracle for the friendship to be restored? Guess what! God is in the business of working miracles. And there are passages of Scripture that deal specifically with this very matter. Join us as we study God s way of restoring broken relationships. Pastor Warneke serves Zion Ev. Lutheran Church and School in Hastings, NE. pastorwarneke@hotmail.com In Praise of Virtue: Why the Reformers read the Ancients and you should, too! Jocelyn Benson Wescoe 4001 Philip Melanchthon said, There has been no better or more outstanding painter of our nobler and more divine part than Homer. In this session, we will briefly explore why the Reformers lauded the ancients (Homer, etc.) and why you, too, should consider giving the ancients a read. Far from being the dry writings of dead guys, the pens of these ancient pagans overflow with wisdom, eloquence, praise of virtue, and condemnation of vice. In our day, just as in the days of the Reformers, we have much to learn from the Ancients! Jocelyn Benson is the Head Teacher for Wittenberg Academy. mrsbenson@wittenbergacademy.org How Lutheran Theology WORKS in the War Zone Rev. Dr. Kurt Taylor Wescoe 4007 Platitudes and cliché s don t work very well in the war zone. God s Word and Lutheran theology does! The life and death questions asked of a chaplain by those returning from battle or on their way into it are questions many of us ask at one time or another. How do I deal with what I ve experienced? Can God forgive me for what I ve done? Hear how those questions and others were addressed by an Air Force chaplain deployed to the Afghanistan war zone, and how they are answered for you. Rev. Dr. Kurt Taylor is an Associate Professor of Theology at Concordia University Wisconsin and continues to serve as an Air Force chaplain for the 217th Air Operations Group in Battle Creek, MI. kurt.taylor@cuw.edu Coveting. Calling. Contentment Rev. Jacob Gaugert Wescoe 4008 Current American society primes young people from early on to always seek their full potential and success in life be it in academics, reputation, and especially in financial and material success. Better grades, more likes and friends in social media, nicer cars, nicer and bigger homes, etc. What we often overlook with this constant encouragement is the discouragement and dissatisfaction this attitude forms toward the blessings and the people the Lord has already placed in our lives. This session will seek to instill in the hearers a contentment in their daily callings and situations in creation as blessed and baptized in Christ. Pastor Gaugert serves as a Missionary through the LCMS Office of International Mission in Dapaong, Togo (West Africa). jacob.gaugert@lcmsintl.org

7 Session C Dating and Marriage: Is Purple is the New White? Rev. George Borghardt Budig 110 Boys are blue. Girls are pink. Purple outside of marriage is bad. Blue blue and Pink pink are also shameless. Dating? How far is too far? Abuse? What makes a good boyfriend or girlfriend? Does God think he or she is the right one? How do I know? Why do brides wear white? Let s take a look at dating, relationships, marriage, and Christ and His church. Pastor Borghardt serves Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bossier City, LA, is the President of Higher Things. revborghardt@higherthings.org Mormonism Exposed Rev. Brent Kuhlman Budig 130 WARNING! What you'll learn in this sectional might just shock you! You've seen them walking or riding their bikes. Perhaps they've knocked on your door and been in your living room. Mormon missionaries! Are Mormons Christians? What do Mormons really believe? About God? Jesus? Salvation? And what's that they're wearing under their clothes? And why? Come find out. Pastor Kuhlman serves Trinity Lutheran Church in Murdock, NE. kuhlman.brent@gmail.com Organist Workshop I: Serving the Word with Music Bethany Johnson Burge Union For all you, organists (and those aspiring organists as well): this is for you! Come and discover how the organ leads and sings with the congregation. Learn about the art of leading congregational song, and open your ears to the ways in which the organ serves the music and the text of the liturgy and hymns. We will discuss how to register the instrument, learn about phrasing and breath, and explore the moods and tempos of hymnody. Bethany Johnson is a member of St. John s Lutheran Church in Topeka, KS and is the Organist for the Sanctified conference in Kansas. bethanyjohnson1717@gmail.com Why Are You Lutheran? Rev. Dr. Ron Bogs Lindley 317 What do you tell your friends when they ask, "Why are you Lutheran?" Do you know what you would say? Do you know why you are Lutheran? Because you were born Lutheran? Not only is being able to give an answer for your faith important, so is knowing why you believe as you do. Come and learn how to give an answer to "Why you are Lutheran?" and be able to ask, "Why are you...? Pastor Bogs serves St. Matthew Lutheran Church of Westfield in Houston, TX. bogshome@juno.com Death is Unnatural Paul Norris Lindley 412 Have you recently experienced the death of a friend, family member, or loved one? If so, you have you probably grappled with some of the worst emotional pain you have ever felt in your life. Why as faithful Christians do we still feel such emotional grief at a loved one's death? Is it okay to feel sad upon the death of a Christian loved one? We will explore the origins of death, and discover that even Jesus knows and understands our grief. We will examine the differences between a proper Christian funeral and the now popular Celebration of Life. You will learn of the certain promise of the Gospel, the comfort of the Lord s Table, and assurance of the resurrection in Christ! Paul Norris is a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Plano, TX. paul.norris@faithplano.org

8 Islam as a Christian Heresy Rev. Brian Kachelmeier Marlott 1001 Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. Muslims are multiplying faster than Methodists! Professional athletes are promoting their new Islamic lifestyle. Woman wearing head-coverings is becoming a common sight. Billboards are going up claiming that Jesus is a Muslim. Imams (Muslim clerics) are telling the world that they are the true followers of Jesus. Do you know what Islam teaches about Jesus? Did you know that Islam teaches about Jesus? Join us as we look at the "Christology" of Islam, that is, what Islam teaches about the person and work of Christ. Islam is not a world religion; instead, it is a Christian heresy. Learn about the basic beliefs of Islam which teach a different Jesus. The Jesus taught by Muhammad is not the same Jesus taught by the Apostles. Pastor Kachelmeier serves Redeemer Lutheran Church in Los Alamos, NM. bkachelmeier@msn.com How to Spend Riches That Aren't Yours (and Other Lessons from Parables) Rev. Bruce Keseman Marlott 2001 Come and find out why they call Pastor Keseman the Parable Guy. He'll help you learn to interpret Jesus' parables, cause you to roll your eyes at bad puns, teach you what the sanctification parables mean for you, and, yes, make sure you leave knowing how to make your God giddy while you spend riches that aren't yours. Oh, and by the way, those riches you ll spend belong to a king who has been known to kill his citizens. Warning: sophomores may leave this sectional feeling insulted (while simultaneously rejoicing that they now understand parables). Pastor Keseman serves Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church in Freeburg, IL. brucekeseman@att.net Churchmanship for Dummies Lutherans Chapter 3: Traditions Rev. Sean Daenzer Marlott 2048 Are you tired of That s how we ve always done it? Are you ready to bring Higher Things to your home church? Are you ready to be the change in your congregation? Warning: The speech you re planning right now may not go as well as you hope. Angry teenagers (like grumpy old Lutherans) are a dime a dozen. Anyone can complain, tear down, and start new; building up takes wisdom. It takes discernment. It takes churchmanship. Come learn your place in the church (you already have one!) and how to be a valuable member of your congregation as you tackle the sacredest of cows: traditions. (We ll catch you up on chapters 1 and 2 ) Pastor Daenzer serves Trinity Lutheran Church in Great Bend, ND. pastor@daenzer.org Yea, Though I Walk: Glory and Crosses, Sin and Suffering Vicar William Winter Snow 120 There are 7.5 billion people in the world and each one is a theologian. There are 7.5 billion theologians in the world, but there are only two theologies: one of glory, the other a cross. These two theologies are mutuallyexclusive. Yet, we are not only surrounded by, but also constantly bombarded with the siren call and empty promises of our own glory. Why is this, what are the differences, and do they even matter? How do these distinctions impact not only the Christian life, but also suffering? William Winter is a student at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN and is serving a summer vicarage with Higher Things this conference season. william.winter@ctsfw.edu Sex, Sexuality, and Baptism Sandra Ostapowich Stauffer-Flint 100 It s difficult to navigate our culture today, especially when it comes to matters of sex and sexuality. Some Christian churches have ridden the wave of culture and are totally on board with things like gay marriage and transgender ministers, and the only boundary placed on sexual activity is one of consent. However, the Bible says something else about these issues. God s way for humanity seems so restrictive in comparison. But is it, really? Learn how who we are in Christ affects our sexuality (maybe even in ways you wouldn t expect), and how to remain faithful about sex matters without being a jerk. Sandra Ostapowich is a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Plano, TX and is the Conference Executive for Higher Things. sandra@higherthings.org

9 Life-Long Christian with a Deep Dark Secret Rev. Aaron Fenker Strong 330 You re a Christian baptized! So, Christ lives in you and you in Him. But then there s things that make you to think, I can t possibly be a Christian because I... Then, fear, guilt, shame, and doubt overwhelm you. What can you do? Join Pastor Fenker to learn about Jesus gift of absolution for baptized sinners. Pastor Fenker serves Bethlehem and Immanuel Lutheran Churches in Bremen, KS. He is also a plenary speaker at the Sanctified conference in Kansas and is the Media Executive for Higher Things. aaronfenker@higherthings.org Justification and Sanctification: Are they really distinct? If so, how so? And, who cares? Rev. Dr. Jayson Galler Summerfield 427 Many people in other religions do not distinguish between justification, God s saving us for Jesus s sake through faith, and sanctification, our cooperating with God in living out holy lives full of good works. But, Lutherans, faithfully expressing what the Bible says, do distinguish between justification and sanctification. In this session we ll talk about this formal, logical distinction and how, even though we never find justification and its saving faith apart from sanctification and its evidence of good works, in a sense both our peace and joy now and our eternal lives depend on the distinction between them. Pastor Galler serves Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Kilgore, TX. pastor@pilgrimlc.org Family friend, Guest, Outsider... Where do I fit in when I worship at my BFF's church? Rev. Randy Sturzenbecher Wescoe 3140 The tension is there. You re at your friend s church and they invite you to communion. Do you take it? Do you not? Does it make any difference? And what do I say to my friend? The identity Christ has given us as He waters and words us into His Church makes all the difference when we are faced with a different confession at our BFF s church. Admission to the Lord s Supper is not based upon unity of that sacrament only. Our confession is formed by agreement with all of God s Word. Join us as we take up the topic of Closed Communion for all the right reasons! Pastor Sturzenbecher serves Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church and School in Black Hawk, SD and is the Chaplain for the Sanctified conference in Kansas. dslcpastor@divineshep.org Interpreting in the Church: It's Hands On Christina Hamilton Wescoe 4001 "Oh great. There she goes again. That weird lady in black waving her arms around up front. It's so distracting, I can t concentrate. Why does she have to do that?" Interpreting, what is that? Good questions. Curious? Want to know why interpreters are important in church, why they re needed, and what are they actually doing? Or, maybe you ve seen Deaf people before and want to know more. In this breakout, we will talk about the Deaf Community, American Sign Language, and religious interpreting. Step into another world and experience a Deaf person s point of view. See you there! Chris Hamilton is a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Tomball, TX and is an American Sign Language Interpreter for the 2018 Higher Things conferences. christina.hamilton_asl@yahoo.com How Lutheran Theology WORKS in the War Zone Rev. Dr. Kurt Taylor Wescoe 4007 Platitudes and cliché s don t work very well in the war zone. God s Word and Lutheran theology does! The life and death questions asked of a chaplain by those returning from battle or on their way into it are questions many of us ask at one time or another. How do I deal with what I ve experienced? Can God forgive me for what I ve done? Hear how those questions and others were addressed by an Air Force chaplain deployed to the Afghanistan war zone, and how they are answered for you. Rev. Dr. Kurt Taylor is an Associate Professor of Theology at Concordia University Wisconsin and continues to serve as an Air Force chaplain for the 217th Air Operations Group in Battle Creek, MI. kurt.taylor@cuw.edu

10 Session D Dating and Marriage: Is Purple is the New White? Rev. George Borghardt Budig 110 Boys are blue. Girls are pink. Purple outside of marriage is bad. Blue blue and Pink pink are also shameless. Dating? How far is too far? Abuse? What makes a good boyfriend or girlfriend? Does God think he or she is the right one? How do I know? Why do brides wear white? Let s take a look at dating, relationships, marriage, and Christ and His church. Pastor Borghardt serves Immanuel Lutheran Church in Bossier City, LA, is the President of Higher Things. revborghardt@higherthings.org Mormonism Exposed Rev. Brent Kuhlman Budig 130 WARNING! What you'll learn in this sectional might just shock you! You've seen them walking or riding their bikes. Perhaps they've knocked on your door and been in your living room. Mormon missionaries! Are Mormons Christians? What do Mormons really believe? About God? Jesus? Salvation? And what's that they're wearing under their clothes? And why? Come find out. Pastor Kuhlman serves Trinity Lutheran Church in Murdock, NE. kuhlman.brent@gmail.com Organist Workshop II: Wait! There s More? Let s Get Creative Bethany Johnson Burge Union Creativity lives inside every musician. Dare to discover how to depart from the written notes on the page or alter them according to the text. You will learn useful and basic techniques of improvisation, re-harmonizing hymns, creating hymn introductions, and incorporating other instruments and voices within your service music. Bethany Johnson is a member of St. John s Lutheran Church in Topeka, KS and is the Organist for the Sanctified conference in Kansas. bethanyjohnson1717@gmail.com Why Are You Lutheran? Rev. Dr. Ron Bogs Lindley 317 What do you tell your friends when they ask, "Why are you Lutheran?" Do you know what you would say? Do you know why you are Lutheran? Because you were born Lutheran? Not only is being able to give an answer for your faith important, so is knowing why you believe as you do. Come and learn how to give an answer to "Why you are Lutheran?" and be able to ask, "Why are you...? Pastor Bogs serves St. Matthew Lutheran Church of Westfield in Houston, TX. bogshome@juno.com Death is Unnatural Paul Norris Lindley 412 Have you recently experienced the death of a friend, family member, or loved one? If so, you have you probably grappled with some of the worst emotional pain you have ever felt in your life. Why as faithful Christians do we still feel such emotional grief at a loved one's death? Is it okay to feel sad upon the death of a Christian loved one? We will explore the origins of death, and discover that even Jesus knows and understands our grief. We will examine the differences between a proper Christian funeral and the now popular Celebration of Life. You will learn of the certain promise of the Gospel, the comfort of the Lord s Table, and assurance of the resurrection in Christ! Paul Norris is a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Plano, TX. paul.norris@faithplano.org

11 Islam as a Christian Heresy Rev. Brian Kachelmeier Marlott 1001 Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. Muslims are multiplying faster than Methodists! Professional athletes are promoting their new Islamic lifestyle. Woman wearing head-coverings is becoming a common sight. Billboards are going up claiming that Jesus is a Muslim. Imams (Muslim clerics) are telling the world that they are the true followers of Jesus. Do you know what Islam teaches about Jesus? Did you know that Islam teaches about Jesus? Join us as we look at the "Christology" of Islam, that is, what Islam teaches about the person and work of Christ. Islam is not a world religion; instead, it is a Christian heresy. Learn about the basic beliefs of Islam which teach a different Jesus. The Jesus taught by Muhammad is not the same Jesus taught by the Apostles. Pastor Kachelmeier serves Redeemer Lutheran Church in Los Alamos, NM. bkachelmeier@msn.com How to Spend Riches That Aren't Yours (and Other Lessons from Parables) Rev. Bruce Keseman Marlott 2001 Come and find out why they call Pastor Keseman the Parable Guy. He'll help you learn to interpret Jesus' parables, cause you to roll your eyes at bad puns, teach you what the sanctification parables mean for you, and, yes, make sure you leave knowing how to make your God giddy while you spend riches that aren't yours. Oh, and by the way, those riches you ll spend belong to a king who has been known to kill his citizens. Warning: sophomores may leave this sectional feeling insulted (while simultaneously rejoicing that they now understand parables). Pastor Keseman serves Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church in Freeburg, IL. brucekeseman@att.net Churchmanship for Dummies Lutherans Chapter 3: Traditions Rev. Sean Daenzer Marlott 2048 Are you tired of That s how we ve always done it? Are you ready to bring Higher Things to your home church? Are you ready to be the change in your congregation? Warning: The speech you re planning right now may not go as well as you hope. Angry teenagers (like grumpy old Lutherans) are a dime a dozen. Anyone can complain, tear down, and start new; building up takes wisdom. It takes discernment. It takes churchmanship. Come learn your place in the church (you already have one!) and how to be a valuable member of your congregation as you tackle the sacredest of cows: traditions. (We ll catch you up on chapters 1 and 2 ) Pastor Daenzer serves Trinity Lutheran Church in Great Bend, ND. pastor@daenzer.org Yea, Though I Walk: Glory and Crosses, Sin and Suffering Vicar William Winter Snow 120 There are 7.5 billion people in the world and each one is a theologian. There are 7.5 billion theologians in the world, but there are only two theologies: one of glory, the other a cross. These two theologies are mutuallyexclusive. Yet, we are not only surrounded by, but also constantly bombarded with the siren call and empty promises of our own glory. Why is this, what are the differences, and do they even matter? How do these distinctions impact not only the Christian life, but also suffering? William Winter is a student at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN and is serving a summer vicarage with Higher Things this conference season. william.winter@ctsfw.edu Sex, Sexuality, and Baptism Sandra Ostapowich Stauffer-Flint 100 It s difficult to navigate our culture today, especially when it comes to matters of sex and sexuality. Some Christian churches have ridden the wave of culture and are totally on board with things like gay marriage and transgender ministers, and the only boundary placed on sexual activity is one of consent. However, the Bible says something else about these issues. God s way for humanity seems so restrictive in comparison. But is it, really? Learn how who we are in Christ affects our sexuality (maybe even in ways you wouldn t expect), and how to remain faithful about sex matters without being a jerk. Sandra Ostapowich is a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Plano, TX and is the Conference Executive for Higher Things. sandra@higherthings.org

12 Life-Long Christian with a Deep Dark Secret Rev. Aaron Fenker Strong 330 You re a Christian baptized! So, Christ lives in you and you in Him. But then there s things that make you to think, I can t possibly be a Christian because I... Then, fear, guilt, shame, and doubt overwhelm you. What can you do? Join Pastor Fenker to learn about Jesus gift of absolution for baptized sinners. Pastor Fenker serves Bethlehem and Immanuel Lutheran Churches in Bremen, KS. He is also a plenary speaker at the Sanctified conference in Kansas and is the Media Executive for Higher Things. aaronfenker@higherthings.org Justification and Sanctification: Are they really distinct? If so, how so? And, who cares? Rev. Dr. Jayson Galler Summerfield 427 Many people in other religions do not distinguish between justification, God s saving us for Jesus s sake through faith, and sanctification, our cooperating with God in living out holy lives full of good works. But, Lutherans, faithfully expressing what the Bible says, do distinguish between justification and sanctification. In this session we ll talk about this formal, logical distinction and how, even though we never find justification and its saving faith apart from sanctification and its evidence of good works, in a sense both our peace and joy now and our eternal lives depend on the distinction between them. Pastor Galler serves Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Kilgore, TX. pastor@pilgrimlc.org Family friend, Guest, Outsider... Where do I fit in when I worship at my BFF's church? Rev. Randy Sturzenbecher Wescoe 3140 The tension is there. You re at your friend s church and they invite you to communion. Do you take it? Do you not? Does it make any difference? And what do I say to my friend? The identity Christ has given us as He waters and words us into His Church makes all the difference when we are faced with a different confession at our BFF s church. Admission to the Lord s Supper is not based upon unity of that sacrament only. Our confession is formed by agreement with all of God s Word. Join us as we take up the topic of Closed Communion for all the right reasons! Pastor Sturzenbecher serves Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church and School in Black Hawk, SD and is the Chaplain for the Sanctified conference in Kansas. dslcpastor@divineshep.org Interpreting in the Church: It's Hands On Christina Hamilton Wescoe 4001 "Oh great. There she goes again. That weird lady in black waving her arms around up front. It's so distracting, I can t concentrate. Why does she have to do that?" Interpreting, what is that? Good questions. Curious? Want to know why interpreters are important in church, why they re needed, and what are they actually doing? Or, maybe you ve seen Deaf people before and want to know more. In this breakout, we will talk about the Deaf Community, American Sign Language, and religious interpreting. Step into another world and experience a Deaf person s point of view. See you there! Chris Hamilton is a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Tomball, TX and is an American Sign Language Interpreter for the 2018 Higher Things conferences. christina.hamilton_asl@yahoo.com Reaching out to differently-abled peers Deaconess Sarah Gaffney Wescoe 4007 We all know of someone with different abilities...maybe they are visually impaired, use a wheelchair or a device to communicate. Maybe it is that student who acts out in class that we think of as different. Could God intend for someone with disabilities to be our friend? Could He have a plan for us to share His love with someone who we perceive as being different"? This session will introduce youth to various disabilities, help them to understand how life can be different for someone with physical or cognitive disabilities, and learn easy ways to reach out to "differently-abled" peers in effective and appropriate ways. This session includes hands-on activities such as walking with a sight cane, dressing with hands that are disabled or feeling Braille or learn some wheelchair etiquette. Deaconess Gaffney is a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Grant Park, IL and serves with Voice of Care in Chicago, IL. deaconesssarah@voiceofcare.org

13 Session E My Friend is Gay Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller Budig 110 We live in a time of great sexual confusion. The Supreme Court has attempted to re-define marriage. Individuals are re-defining their own gender. How do we think and pray rightly when the world is upside down? How do we rejoice in what is good? How do we love those who would live as enemies of the cross? How would the Scriptures have us address our friends and family who are tempted with same-sex attraction? How do we understand and speak clearly and kindly the Lord's word regarding homosexuality? Pastor Wolfmueller serves Hope Lutheran Church in Aurora, CO and is a plenary speaker at the Sanctified conference in Kansas. bwolfmueller@gmail.com The Gospel According to Carrie Underwood Rev. Brent Kuhlman Budig 130 American Idol winner and mega mega country star, Carrie Underwood, has some incredible songs. In this breakaway we'll watch a few of her videos. As we do we will learn what the Bible teaches about what that "Something" is "in the Water." In addition, get ready to be "Blown Away" with the biblical truth that, even though "there's not enough rain in Oklahoma to wash the sins out of that house," there truly is a divine gift that cleanses sinners from all sin. Pastor Kuhlman serves Trinity Lutheran Church in Murdock, NE. kuhlman.brent@gmail.com Pastor Kuhlman serves Trinity Lutheran Church in Murdock, NE. kuhlman.brent@gmail.com Rhythm of Faith: God s Gift of Music in Hymnody and Liturgy Bethany Johnson Burge Union Can you hear it? It s still beating the heart of Lutheranism flowing from the time of the Reformation and even now as we carry the songs of the Church, singing them with confidence and with our new heart of faith in Christ. Come and discover the meaning of the Church in Song and learn about the rich, Lutheran heritage of hymnody and the ways in which it brings us God s Word in its fullness. We ll use this practice to determine what makes a good hymn. Bring your voices, too! Bethany Johnson is a member of St. John s Lutheran Church in Topeka, KS and is the Organist for the Sanctified conference in Kansas. bethanyjohnson1717@gmail.com Sanctified in War? Rev. David Magruder Lindley 317 For three weeks in 1970, the Billboard number one hit was "War" - the title track for Edwin Starr's vinyl album. It asked the question: "War, what is it good for?" Starr sang that it was good for "absolutely nothing"! War is a tragic reality of life in a sin sick world. So, can a "sanctified" Christian serve in war? Can a Christian serve in the armed forces? Is there anything good to be found in war? Explore these questions with retired Navy Chaplain and Afghanistan War veteran. Pastor Magruder serves Peace with Christ Lutheran Church in Fort Collins, CO. pwcfcpastor@gmail.com Jonah, the Drama Queen Rev. Thomas Chryst Lindley 412 What's the deal with the reluctant prophet? Why did he run? How does he show us Jesus, even in spite of himself? Everyone learns in Sunday School that Jonah got swallowed by a big whale or fish. But you may not have heard what caused him to run away in the first place, or how God worked through Jonah in spite of Jonah's reluctance. The people of Nineveh were called to repentance by a four word sermon, and they turned from their sin! You'd think Jonah would be glad Pastor Chryst serves Messiah Lutheran Church in Keller, TX. tomchryst@yahoo.com

14 Fantastic Vocations and Where to Find Them Rev. Rich Heinz Marlott 1001 It's not just the Wizarding World with all the fun of abbreviations and acronyms (like O.W.L.s, N.E.W.T.s and more). In the LCMS, we have Pre-Sems, DCEs, LTEs, DPMs, and Deacs, coming from our CUs. Join Pastor Heinz as we explore some of the various callings to serve our Lord in His Church, and the Concordia system that rivals any Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, or Ilvermorny. Rev. Heinz serves as the Assistant Vice President for Mission & Ministry at Concordia University Chicago as well as the Worship Coordinator for Higher Things and the Chaplain for the Sanctified conference in Minnesota. What Does This Mean? How Christ is Glorified in the Liturgy Vicar Bradley Singer Marlott 2001 The liturgy is a language - one that is beautiful, regal, and points the faithful to Christ! For Christians today, the liturgy serves as a bridge, one that offers us Christ's gifts and that takes us from an earthly focus towards a focus on heavenly things. A true gift of the church, the liturgy has been an integral part of Lutheranism and one of its most beautiful forms, with parts within it that remain relatively unchanged over the course of centuries and thousands of years. In this sectional, we'll explore the liturgy, the meanings of its various components, and how they point us to Christ! Bradley Singer is a student at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO and is serving a summer vicarage with Higher Things this conference season. singerb@csl.edu How to Stay Lutheran in College Vicar Carl Wendorff Marlott 2048 College is a dangerous place to be a Lutheran. Everywhere you turn there are professors challenging your faith, peers pushing your boundaries, and every wind of doctrine tossing you around. Even at a Christian university it s a struggle to be a Lutheran. So how do you remain steadfast on campus while balancing your studies, work, family, and friends? In this session you ll learn how to maintain your Lutheran identity during your college years. Vicar Wendorff serves at Risen Savior Lutheran Church in Basehor, KS. carl.wendorff@ctsfw.edu Prometheus and the Age of 'Science': How to be Pro-Life in a Culture of Death Rev. Matthew Durance Marlott 2074 The myth of Prometheus is often interpreted as a symbol of "striving too far with unintended consequences" as well as "human achievement and progress". Within our world modern science is often cited to justify things like samesex marriage, transgenderism, abortion, and Physician-assisted suicide. However, like the myth of Prometheus, all of these things have consequences that harm many individuals and are often not supported by science at all! In this session we will seek to discuss how to be pro-life and uphold a confessional belief regarding human life from conception to natural death while being equipped with a working knowledge on how science defends the pro-life position and is in fact pro-science". Pastor Durance serves Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Greenleaf, KS. pr.matthew.durance@gmail.com Baal Versus The Church Rev. Warren Graff Snow 120 In the Old Testament, Baalism stands as antithesis to the Gospel. The Gospel proclamation is set in relief as the true prophets expose the doctrine of the Baal prophets, accusing Israel of departing the Torah s doctrine and abandoning Yahweh s gift of sacrifice at the Jerusalem Temple. We will analyze Baalism s doctrine of god(s) and creation, its doctrine of man, and its impact on the Israelite. In looking at Baalism s doctrine explicitly from the text of the Baal psalms and implicitly from the text of Israel s prophets, we will contemplate how this informs today s church. For Baalism s rejection by the Gospel stands as starkly in the Old Testament text as does the rejection of the Pharisee s doctrine in the New. Pastor Graff serves Grace Lutheran Church in Albuquerque, NM. wwgraff@gmail.com