You will have an opportunity to attend three of the following sessions.
After you read through each session description, write down your first three choices and select them on the registration.
You can help us plan the sessions by knowing your first three choices when you register.
After you read through each session description, write down your first three choices and select them on the registration.
You can help us plan the sessions by knowing your first three choices when you register.
Description of the 8 Breakout Sessions:
1) Built to Serve in Every Walk of Life - Mark Neumann
Opportunities to serve abound in all walks of life. Usually, one does not even have to go looking as God simply drops them in front of us. Whether in Congress holding our ground on bills relating to biblical principles, or on a construction site asking the workers to not take the name of the Lord in vain, or the opportunity to expand Christian educational opportunities, or any of the many other walks of life we and others like us have been through, the opportunity to serve is always present. This session will be devoted to specific examples of service opportunities in various walks of life.
Opportunities to serve abound in all walks of life. Usually, one does not even have to go looking as God simply drops them in front of us. Whether in Congress holding our ground on bills relating to biblical principles, or on a construction site asking the workers to not take the name of the Lord in vain, or the opportunity to expand Christian educational opportunities, or any of the many other walks of life we and others like us have been through, the opportunity to serve is always present. This session will be devoted to specific examples of service opportunities in various walks of life.
2) Be Prepared to Give a Reason for the Hope that You Have - Aaron Bublitz
How do you respond to someone who says, “How can you believe in a God who would send people to hell?” Or, “If God is really loving, how can he allow suffering and evil to exist?” Or, “Science has proven that there is no god and no reason for religion.” Or, “The Bible is written by men has been changed many times.” How do we respond to these and other challenging objections to what we believe? In this session, we will discuss what’s really at the heart of these objections. We’ll talk about what our goal is in responding to them. (Hint: It’s not to get into an argument, it's to get to Jesus!) And, we’ll learn strategies to “put a stone in their shoe” to get them to re-think their view, and to consider ours.
How do you respond to someone who says, “How can you believe in a God who would send people to hell?” Or, “If God is really loving, how can he allow suffering and evil to exist?” Or, “Science has proven that there is no god and no reason for religion.” Or, “The Bible is written by men has been changed many times.” How do we respond to these and other challenging objections to what we believe? In this session, we will discuss what’s really at the heart of these objections. We’ll talk about what our goal is in responding to them. (Hint: It’s not to get into an argument, it's to get to Jesus!) And, we’ll learn strategies to “put a stone in their shoe” to get them to re-think their view, and to consider ours.
3) The Man God is Building You to Be (Teen and Young Adult Session) - Christopher Pflughoeft
Statistics tell us that there is an epidemic of problems among young men. Many young men feel dejected and lonely. Have you experienced such troubles? Part of the issue is that young men are receiving much different advice on what they ought to be like. Oftentimes, these words tear down young men. Other times, the standard that is set is unreachable. From Andrew Tate to Jordan Peterson, many voices tell young men what they ought to do and what they should be like. Young men, who gives you direction in your growth of being a man? In this session, we will see what God has to say about the man he is building you to be.
Statistics tell us that there is an epidemic of problems among young men. Many young men feel dejected and lonely. Have you experienced such troubles? Part of the issue is that young men are receiving much different advice on what they ought to be like. Oftentimes, these words tear down young men. Other times, the standard that is set is unreachable. From Andrew Tate to Jordan Peterson, many voices tell young men what they ought to do and what they should be like. Young men, who gives you direction in your growth of being a man? In this session, we will see what God has to say about the man he is building you to be.
4) Built to Serve While Working in an Unchristian Workplace - Jeff Weinstein
You spend a significant chunk of your life at work. But what if that workspace doesn't align with your Christian values? How do you serve Christ without alienating colleagues or becoming "that guy" who everyone avoids in the break room? Join Jeff Weinstein and a panel of fellow Christian men who work in various non-Christian environments. We'll discuss the challenges you face — from the moral dilemmas to the eye-rolls you get when you bow your head at lunch. You'll leave with actionable strategies to serve your faith and church without turning people off. Whether you're a vocal warrior for Christ or someone who prefers to keep faith matters private, there's a way for you to be effective and authentic. Let's show the world we're Built to Serve, no matter where we are.
You spend a significant chunk of your life at work. But what if that workspace doesn't align with your Christian values? How do you serve Christ without alienating colleagues or becoming "that guy" who everyone avoids in the break room? Join Jeff Weinstein and a panel of fellow Christian men who work in various non-Christian environments. We'll discuss the challenges you face — from the moral dilemmas to the eye-rolls you get when you bow your head at lunch. You'll leave with actionable strategies to serve your faith and church without turning people off. Whether you're a vocal warrior for Christ or someone who prefers to keep faith matters private, there's a way for you to be effective and authentic. Let's show the world we're Built to Serve, no matter where we are.
5) Built to Serve by Leading in Your Congregation - Phil Bischoff
I've always been fascinated by the dynamics of leadership within a church. This breakout will be a highly interactive session as we tackle the following questions: What does it mean to lead in a local congregation? What's the potential of empowering and engaging our men to lead? Why do some congregations struggle finding men to lead? How can called workers and lay leaders best share leadership within a congregation? Do we as a synod have any blind-spots when it comes to equipping men to lead?
I've always been fascinated by the dynamics of leadership within a church. This breakout will be a highly interactive session as we tackle the following questions: What does it mean to lead in a local congregation? What's the potential of empowering and engaging our men to lead? Why do some congregations struggle finding men to lead? How can called workers and lay leaders best share leadership within a congregation? Do we as a synod have any blind-spots when it comes to equipping men to lead?
6) How Mentoring Builds Healthy Congregations - Adam Mueller
Jesus' ministry always modeled the inseparable connection between faith and life. He spent a lot of time teaching his disciples, but this session will underscore that Jesus spent a lot of time with his disciples. Those of us who occupy pulpits or podiums will always proclaim the full counsel of God with zeal. However, we'll be careful to remember that ministry is both taught and caught. Mentoring by modeling ministry builds congregations eager to serve.
Jesus' ministry always modeled the inseparable connection between faith and life. He spent a lot of time teaching his disciples, but this session will underscore that Jesus spent a lot of time with his disciples. Those of us who occupy pulpits or podiums will always proclaim the full counsel of God with zeal. However, we'll be careful to remember that ministry is both taught and caught. Mentoring by modeling ministry builds congregations eager to serve.
7) Each One Bring One - Steve Gabb
A 2021 poll revealed that 66% of unchurched people say that they are ‘unlikely’ or ‘very unlikely’ to attend a worship service anytime soon. However, 79% of unchurched people say that if a friend really values their faith, they don’t mind talking about it with them. This is yet another confirmation that individual, one-on-one sharing and inviting is the most effective way to connect unchurched people with the Gospel. In this session, we’ll explore the blessings and challenges of connecting souls to their Savior as men of God who are built to serve as part of The Great Commission.
A 2021 poll revealed that 66% of unchurched people say that they are ‘unlikely’ or ‘very unlikely’ to attend a worship service anytime soon. However, 79% of unchurched people say that if a friend really values their faith, they don’t mind talking about it with them. This is yet another confirmation that individual, one-on-one sharing and inviting is the most effective way to connect unchurched people with the Gospel. In this session, we’ll explore the blessings and challenges of connecting souls to their Savior as men of God who are built to serve as part of The Great Commission.
8) Husbands: God's Unfinished Remodeling Project - Aaron Boehm
The goal of any remodeling project is to eventually see it through to completion. No one wants to live in a home or work in a business that is perennially under construction. We want to see the updated finished product.
Marriage, however, is one project that is never finished. That's because there is always work to be done, starting with self. While we don't truly ever "fix" a marriage, we can definitely improve ours - by allowing God to continually remodel us as husbands sacrificially serving our wives. May God enhance our joy in serving Jesus through marriage while he at the same time serves us through marriage!
The goal of any remodeling project is to eventually see it through to completion. No one wants to live in a home or work in a business that is perennially under construction. We want to see the updated finished product.
Marriage, however, is one project that is never finished. That's because there is always work to be done, starting with self. While we don't truly ever "fix" a marriage, we can definitely improve ours - by allowing God to continually remodel us as husbands sacrificially serving our wives. May God enhance our joy in serving Jesus through marriage while he at the same time serves us through marriage!