Location: Holiday Inn & Suites Airport, 2040 W. Russell St., Sioux Falls, SD.

The 2023 Fall Theological Conference is planned especially for Pastors, Deacons, TEEM Students, Interns, Synod Authorized Lay Ministers currently serving a congregation, and paid staff youth coordinators.

In the liturgy of ordination, those called to rostered ministry commit, and ask God’s help, to preach, teach, and nourish God’s people with the word. We receive a stole as a sign of being obedient to Jesus and the responsibility entrusted to us. This call to ministry is one of serving the word.

This ministry then involves “serving-up” the word in worship through liturgy, preaching, and sacraments, in teaching, visitation, prayer, and conversation. We are called, as it were, to deliver the word to others

In the past three years, however, the opportunities and means of serving the word have changed significantly. It is in-person. And it is online. It is both/and. And as Lutherans, we embrace our heritage of “both/and” theology. Saint/sinner. Law/gospel. Free/bound.

When Jason Moore’s presentations on communication, worship, and church hospitality started circulating this year, he caught our attention. We spoke with him to learn more about what he means by both/and. We heard his theological perspective for in-person and online worship, reasons for continuing both in-the-building and online worship, ideas for repurposing in-person homework to reach people online, and thinking about what creates warmth and hospitality for people online and in-person. Wherever you are in this brave new world – longing for your old typewriter & cassette player or producing your own services – this Fall Theological Conference will help all of us think seriously about the “why” for our call to serve the word and share the story of the love of Jesus with ever-expanding circles of people who long to hear good news!

So come! Gather with friends you haven’t met yet, and those who are familiar. Come to Sioux Falls, October 8-10, 2023 for the SW MN Synod’s Fall Theological Conference and explore what it means to be people who embrace the “Both/And” of in person and online community, and what that means for our congregations and us as leaders in the church. Speaker, Jason Moore of Midnight Oil Productions, will help us explore the theological and practical implications of in-person and online worship and hospitality.

Last year we gathered at one of our great camps to the north. Each year, we’ll change things up a bit! So this year, we’re going southwest, and the venue will be the Holiday Inn, Airport, Sioux Falls. This hotel is accustomed to welcoming a big crowd, providing a place where you will be well-tended, includes nearby a golfing option, and provides opportunity to explore downtown Sioux Falls. We heard your pleas for more free time – so that will be provided!

We look forward to learning and growing together as people who serve the Word in this new time today.

Registration:
Registration deadline: Friday, September 22nd

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, snacks, and refreshments.

Click here to register.
Please pay online or send Payment to SW MN Synod, PO Box 499, Redwood Falls, MN 56283.

Housing arrangements and cost is separate from the FTC registration fee.
All attendees are responsible for their own housing arrangements. The synod office has reserved 100 rooms at the Holiday Inn & Suites Airport in Sioux Falls, SD where the conference will be held. The block of rooms is under the Southwestern Minnesota Synod block.Because of the limited number of rooms available, please consider having a roommate. You must book your room by September 8, 2023. After this date, the block of rooms is inactive.

Holiday Inn & Suites Airport
2040 W. Russell St.
Sioux Falls, SD
605-331-2040

Cancellation Policy:
If you need to cancel your registration due to illness or an unexpected 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.

Tentative Schedule: 
Click here to download and print the schedule. 

SUNDAY:
4:30-6:30 p.m. – On Site Registration
6:30 – Welcome and Introductions
7:00 – Session 1 – Jason Moore
8:15 – Break
8:30 – Evening Prayer
Social time. Snacks provided. Cash beverage service available until 10:30pm.

MONDAY:
Breakfast on your own in the hotel or elsewhere.
8:45 a.m. – Session 2 – Jason Moore
9:45 – Break. Coffee and Snacks Available (pastries, hard-boiled eggs, avocado toast)
10:00 – Session 2 – Jason Moore, continued
11:00 – Synod Ministries Updates
12:00 – Lunch – Gourmet Fajita Bar
12:45 – Bishop’s Time
2:00 – Free Time

TUESDAY:
Breakfast on your own in the hotel or elsewhere.
9:00 a.m. – Session 3 – Jason Moore
10:00 – Break. Coffee and snacks available (pastries, hard-boiled eggs, avocado toast)
10:15 – Session 3 – Jason Moore, continued
10:45 – Table Talk
11:15 – Conclusion
11:30 – Service of Holy Communion
Conference ends following Worship