Convocation
Join us November 9-11 at the DoubleTree Resort at Lancaster/Willow Valley for fellowship, refreshment and stimulating conversation with Dr. Peter Steinke and Dr. Karl Krueger on the subject, "From Muhlenberg to Tomorrow."
Cost including room and meals is $340 (shared) or $415 (single) by Sept. 21, and $375 (shared) or $450 (single) thereafter. Registration deadline is Oct. 12.
- Download a registration brochure/scholarship application (Fillable document; please open in Acrobat Reader, type in your information, print and mail.)
Welcome from Bishop Burkat
Ecclesia Plantanda- “The Church Must Be Planted”- was the ministry motto of Dr. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, the patriarch of the American Lutheran Church. To honor the 300th anniversary of his birth, our convocation theme is “From Muhlenberg to Tomorrow.”
Our convocation speakers will together explore the many ways the issues Muhlenberg faced can guide and inform our ministry challenges today.
Pastor Karl Krueger will regale and delight us with glimpses of how Pastor Muhlenberg faced his adversaries and survived harrowing ordeals, as he claimed his call to mission. Dr. Peter Steinke will lead us in a lively and thoughtful conversation about the hazards of anxious systems and the blessings and potential of healthy congregations and leaders. You will not be surprised to learn that upon his arrival in America, Muhlenberg was tested in his life and ministry every which way. Dealing with theological divisions, church splits, cultural conflicts, scandalous pastors, financial difficulties, woefully unprepared leaders as well as grueling travel, physical exhaustion and threat of injury and disease that were constant encounters. Buoyed by his conviction that the God who called him would also guide and direct his ministry, he engaged diplomacy, patience, wisdom, catechesis, and faithful preaching and worship leadership to unify the Lutheran Christians in the new world for the sake of mission.
I look forward to our time part to engage in conversation, refection, fellowship and worship. Please invite your colleagues, especially those new to our synod, for a look back and a way forward as we thank God for our ministry in these challenging times.
Presenters
Dr. Peter Steinke is an internationally respected church consultant. He has been pastor, teacher, therapist, and a mentor for many. In 2004 the Inter-Lutheran Specialized Ministry organization gave him the CHRISIUS IN MUNDO Award. He received a Doctor of Letters Degree from Concordia Seminary in 2009. He has worked with troubled churches and organizations for more than 20 years and has helped churches and organizations with over 175 major conflicts. He has studied systems theory for many years and is able to bring to bear insights that change the way people think so unsolvable problems can be solved. He is the former Executive Director of Healthy Congregations, a system of training and workshops centered on the themes of systems thinking, responding to anxiety and change, leadership, and relationships. Dr. Steinke is the author of a number of books, including How Your Church Family Works, Healthy Congregations, Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times and A Door Set Open.
Rev. Dr. Karl Krueger graduated from LTSP in 1980. In addition to serving parishes in Philadelphia and Windsor, Ontario, he earned a Ph.D. in History at the University of Michigan. He returned to his alma mater in 1999 as the Assistant Librarian and was promoted to Director of the Library in 2002. In addition to administering the library, he teaches courses in church history and has published articles. On Sundays he supplies in congregations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. In 2007 he was selected from a national pool of candidates to participate in the NEH’s Summer Seminar: The Reformation of the Book. This five-week seminar met in the famous libraries of Antwerp, Belgium and Oxford, England. The lessons learned in this seminar were translated into a course entitled Book of Faith in Print and the Public Sphere (2010). This course will be offered online for the first time in 2013.
- Download a registration brochure/scholarship application (Fillable document; please open in Acrobat Reader, type in your information, print and mail.)
Wednesday, November 9th
DoubleTree check in time at 4 pm on Wednesday
11:00 am Registration
12:00 pm Lunch
1:15 pm Opening Devotions
1:30 pm Presenter: Dr. Peter Steinke
3:00 pm Break
3:15 pm Presenter: Rev. Dr. Karl Krueger
4:15 pm Free Time
6:15 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Worship – Holy Communion
Thursday, November 10th
7:30 am Breakfast
9:00 am Worship
9:45 am Presenter: Dr. Peter Steinke
11:00 am Break
11:15 am Presenter: Rev. Dr. Karl Krueger
12:30 pm Lunch
1:30 pm Free Time
6:15 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Conversation with Bishop Burkat
8:30 pm Closing Devotions
Friday, November 11th
7:30 am Breakfast
9:00 am Presenters: Bishop Claire Burkat,
Dr. Peter Steinke,
Rev. Dr. Karl Krueger
10:30 am Worship
11:15 am Lunch
Board of Pensions sign up outside of meeting room. Massage available by appointment. Sign up at rear of meeting room.
Registration information
Registration cost is $115 by Sept. 21, $150 Oct. 12.
Lodging/meals cost is $225/person, $300 for a single room.
- Download a registration brochure (Fillable document; please open in Acrobat Reader, type in your information, print and mail.)
Scholarships are available. To apply, fill out the form in the registration brochure and submit a check for the full amount of your convocation fees. If a scholarship is granted, you will be reimbursed in the amount of the award.
