Session List

Session Title: Alive in the Word
Presenter: Darin Aden

“I write to you, fathers, … I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you.”
- 1 John 2:14

It’s not that we doubt the power of God’s Word; it’s just that we want to feel that power in our lives.  We see the need and feel the desire for ourselves and other men to be stronger in the Word.  How can we start and sustain a men’s Bible study at our church?  We’ll hear ideas from other men’s ministries, voice our own questions and concerns, and share God’s encouragement with each other as we explore how we might become alive in the Word at our home congregations.

Session Title:    Band of Brothers
Presenter: Darin Aden

Too often men go it alone. Some would rather fail than admit they don’t have it all together or have all the answers. In truth, we need each other like a band of brothers  gathering men around God’s Word?  What can we do to foster a band of support and encouragement for men? We’ll hear ideas from other men’s ministries, share our own questions, and share God’s encouragement as we explore how we might start and sustain a men’s ministry “a band of brothers “at our home congregations.

Session Title:  Five Things About Marriage I Wish I Had Been Taught…Instead of Learned the Hard Way.
Presenter: Mark Henke

Typical men open the box containing the new tool, cast aside the instructions for assembly, and proceed with the “I’ll-figure-it-out-as-I-go” approach.  If you have used that same approach in your marriage…How’s that worked out for ya’? This session is designed for husbands (all are welcome, but especially those married less than 20 years) who still have open hearts willing to peek at God’s instruction manual.  We’ll discuss …men’s brains (waffles) and women’s brains (spaghetti)…. your sex life begins in the kitchen…. arming yourself in the war of words, and other issues valuable to men of His Word.

Session Title: I Can’t Forgive. Now What?
Presenter: Phil Merten

Resentment over the past can keep you from living in the present and moving into the future.  Holding on to those resentments puts you at odds with God, who is all about forgiveness.  But what happens when what you’ve suffered is unforgiveable? Chaplain Phil Merten of Wisconsin Lutheran Institutional Ministries has been working for over 20 years with people whose sobriety and survival depend on letting go of resentments.  In this session we’ll discuss what makes forgiveness so difficult and what help God gives to make it work.

Session Title:  LEARN LEADERSHIP FROM JESUS
Presenter: Paul Kelm

Seven leadership themes from the life and words of Jesus will be applied to the roles of Christian leaders and to the challenges of the church in our time.

Session Title:  Make Your Day Count
Presenter: Steve Stern

Time is precious.  As God’s people we need to use it wisely and minister to others effectively.  Chaplain Stern has three areas of life where we can make our day count if we see the opportunities that beckon to us.  These three areas are:  Affirming others, living fully, and walking with people in the valley of suffering.

Session Title:   Forceful Men, Lay Hold of the Kingdom
Presenter: Wayne Mueller

In Matthew 11, while describing John the Baptist, Jesus said the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, “and forceful men lay hold of it.” What Jesus meant by the kingdom and forceful men is the subject of this session. Have we in our touchy-feely, politically correct generation lost all the forceful men to advance the kingdom of God? Or, just as bad, do we think of forceful men only as those who through control and force of personality get things done in the church? Tune in, and stay tuned. We could be talking about you. And me.

Session Title:  It’s Easier to Ask for Forgiveness than Permission – Creating a Culture of Permission
Presenter: Tim Glende

Twenty percent of the members do 80% of the work?  Those percentages may not be exact, but they are close.  Why is that? Is it the members? Partly.  But many of our members never get involved or use their gifts to serve the Lord because…. there isn’t a culture of permission.  The early Christian Church shows us how important having a culture of permission is (Acts 2:42).  Those believers knew how vital a culture of permission was when opportunities for ministry arose (Acts 6:1).  In this session we will discuss how to create a culture of permission to impact and benefit each Christian and his congregation.

Session Title: Technology – Friend or Foe?
Presenter: James “Ski” Skorzewski

We are bombarded by technology. iPads, laptops, and cell phones are everywhere. Our kids text and have their phones wherever they are. We can’t seem to get away from technology. Is all this technology negative? Come to this session and see how we have learned to use technology to build relationships that allow us to share the Gospel message of Jesus.

Session Title: The Man I Want to Be
Presenter: Jason Ewart

Do you think you’re a man, but too often find yourself acting like a kid? Being a man begins with leading yourself and leading your family. If you haven’t mastered these attributes yet, then you’re stuck in boyhood. This basic training, Manhood 101, shows you how to be a responsible man without losing the fun of boyhood. If you’re ready to leave the boy behind, come discover what it means to be the man you want to be.

Session Title: The Peacemakers
Presenter: Kenneth Kremer

In the home, on the job, in the news, at school, in the marketplace, and sometimes even at church–there’s plenty of conflict to go around. The question is How do we deal with it? This workshop is a conversation about Christians in conflict. It is based on Kenn’s new book about the peacemaking process and people whom Jesus referred to as the peacemakers. We consider biblical principles for addressing conflict and biblical strategies that really work.