@ Luther Crest Bible Camp, Alexandria MN

Welcome to this year’s Fall Theological Conference planned especially for Pastors, Deacons, TEEM Students, Interns, Synodically Authorized Lay Ministers, and paid staff youth coordinators. We are looking forward to all being together in person!

Check in starts at 4:30 p.m. with the welcome and the conference beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. The conference will conclude Tuesday with lunch. Click here for the full conference schedule. 

Registration:
Registration deadline: Monday, September 19

The registration fee is per person:
$135 regular registration
$85 per person reduced registration (only for grads awaiting first call, interns, on-leave-from-call, and retired pastors not serving in an interim position)
The registration fee includes the conference fee, Monday lunch, an optional Monday dinner, Tuesday lunch, and snacks. Breakfast will be provided for those staying at Luther Crest. Those staying off site will need to make their own breakfast arrangements.
Housing arrangements and cost will be separate from the FTC registration fee.

Click here to Register

Housing:
You are responsible for making your own housing arrangements.

Luther Crest has a variety of lodging options available, but mostly cabins with roommate assignments. If you would like to stay with a particular colleague(s), please reach out to them before contacting Luther Crest. If you do not specify a roommate, Luther Crest will assign you a roommate. Luther Crest will be able to help you find a cabin that fits your or your group’s needs. Luther Crest will take reservations by email only, and it will be on a first come, first serve basis. Email Tammie Sinibaldo at [email protected] to book your lodging starting August 15^th. www.luthercrest.org

Other Lodging Options:
Mount Carmel Ministries, Alexandria
Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center, Alexandria
AmericaInn by Wyndham, Alexandria
Hampton Inn & Suites, Alexandria

Cancellation Policy:
If you need to cancel your registration due to illness or an unexpended funeral, a full refund will be given. This conference will not be hybrid or recorded, so If you need leave during the conference there will be no refund.

By action of the 1988 Synod Assembly, this conference has been designated as an “official synodical event.” This means that all pastors and deacons under call or appointment are expected to attend. If you need to be absent, please email Bishop Dee Pederson at [email protected] and CC Kristin Bakeberg, [email protected] in your email.[clear-line]

Speakers:

Rev. Dr. Rachel Wrenn, Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies, Trinity Lutheran Seminary (Capital University) Rachel completed her candidacy here in Southwestern Minnesota and her first call was to Prairie Star Ministries.

“Your Breath, Your Body, Your Spirit
God’s Breath, God’s Body, God’s Spirit”

The Bible expresses many ideas using body images: “my nose burned hot;” “their hands fell slack;” “she poured out her throat.” We express many ideas using our bodies as well, though sometimes we may do so unconsciously. Rediscovering these biblical body images connects us more deeply to our own and to God’s own body, a connection that can rejuvenate our spirits and our ministry.

Rev. Dr. Nathan Swenson-Reinhold, an ELCA pastor with 17 years of ordained ministry experience, a Coaching Consultant, and a Coach Trainer for the ELCA.

“Finding Holy Power in Powerless Times:
Insights, groundings, and strategies for Christian leaders in challenging times”

We have all had the experiences recently of working through social, political, and religious situations where nothing we do as Christian leaders seems to move the mission before us forward and where we are criticized on all sides for any decisions we make. But even as the challenges around us ramp up, and the anxiety of the culture around us boils, there is a center and posture for our leadership that moves us from hopelessness to hopefulness. Come be inspired and empowered for the holy kingdom work that is before us all!

Bio: Our facilitator this year is Nathan Swenson-Reinhold. An ELCA pastor with 17 years of ordained ministry experience, he and his family relocated in early July to North Dallas, Texas, where his wife has become Preston Meadow Lutheran Church’s Pastor for Group Life. As for Nathan, he’s stepped into full time coaching and consulting with an emphasis on empowering church leaders and teams who power ministries towards greater hopefulness, resourcefulness, generosity, and strategic effectiveness.

Nathan is a graduate of Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio, and holds a doctorate in leadership and cultural architecture from Portland Seminary at George Fox University in Portland, Oregon. A coach trainer and facilitator of the ELCA, he holds a Professional Coaching Certification through the International Coaching Federation. At this point in his journey of serving the church, he has worked with over 147 congregations and church leaders.