“Never Confounded” Retreat Presentations
This retreat’s title, “Never Confounded,” is taken from Psalm 22:5 and from the Te Deum Laudamus. The titles for our presentations have all been taken from the petitions from the Te Deum (last 3rd of the canticle).
Save Your People ( J. Gernander)
Aid for a Guilty Conscience–Father Confessors &
Mutual Conversation and Consolation of the Brethren
Pastors are part of “people.” They need to be saved too, from themselves, from those who would hurt them and their reputation, from people within their congregations and communities. Like Paul, they can and should work with a clean conscience and be lifted up by their brother pastors.
Bless Your Heritage (D. Moldstad, 2 part)
Part I. Strong Homes (Faithful Children)
Ultimately, both of these parts boil down to family: the pastor’s family and the families of the congregation. St. Paul teaches St. Timothy and the Church that a pastor blessed with a family is to have his own house in order. This doesn’t mean tyranny, but a loving father who is present with his family and doesn’t neglect their spiritual, emotional, mental and physical needs. Obviously, life in the parsonage isn’t always easy. Kids rebel, finances are tight, demand at work is high. Pastors will need some encouragement and some accountability here, but they will also definitely need some relief from burdened consciences.
Part II. Strong Congregations (Parish Visitations)
The families of the congregation should not be neglected either. As the spiritual father of the congregation, it is good to know what the many families of the congregation need and provide them with knowledge, encouragement, and support. As the world, an agent of the devil, would tear families apart, the Church, as the agent of the Lord, would unite them. We see children leave the Church at an alarming rate. How can the families of the Church support and help each other to raise children in and keep them in the Church?
Govern Them (J. Mears)
Part I. Congregational Support for the Pastor & Assistance in the Work of the Church
The shepherd of the flock works hard to deliver Word and Sacrament in their faithful loyalty to the congregation and to the Divine Call. But how can the Pastor be open and willing to receive support from the congregation to serve well and thrive? What is a balanced approach in which a Pastor can decide how to manage his time and demands while also recognizing where he needs to take respite from the ministry demands in front of them? Does the Pastor need a sabbatical in order to feel refreshed and prevent burnout? In this discussion we will review important insights about how Pastors can communicate their needs to congregational leadership and develop honest reflection about the weight and challenges of the public ministry. We will discuss ways for Pastors to consider and communicate their own vulnerabilities and struggles. These insights can help develop an environment of honest and transparent considerations of a mutual path forward.
Part II. Congregational Conflict
Psalm 133:1 encourages us by stating “How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!” But the reality is that when sinners are working together in the work of a church ministry there will undoubtedly arise conflict and tension. When a congregation and the flock is in the midst of ministry turmoil the weight of the tension can land on the shoulders of the pastor serving the sheep. Pastors can feel pressure to take sides and align with select members within the congregation. However, by learning the best practices for reconciliation we can help the group negotiate agreements and work in unity when congregational ministry efforts are troubled. This discussion will help review and guide how the Pastor can facilitate an environment and culture that conveys forgiveness and grace from the blood of Christ. Within this discussion a Pastor can develop strategies to encourage the congregation to live out God’s Word in their daily lives. Pastors will be encouraged to develop relationships between members and how this is a critical component to healthy congregational life. Through these internal reconciliation efforts a congregation can create a model of harmonious love for the neighbor that can be a light to the world.
Lift Them Up Forever ( J. Gernander)
Focus on the End Things during Hard Times
The Church will be around until the end of the world. We know this from Jesus’ own mouth. It can be easy to despair about our society or our congregation as we see the evil seem to overwhelm everything. Hard times also come internally and within your personal life. Such situations can make it hard to keep motivated as you ask, “What is the use? Why am I even trying?” But St. Paul and other martyrs of the ancient Church show us a better way, to be heavenly-minded, relying on the promises of Jesus, both the persecutions we are to expect and on His promise of rest and peace hereafter.
Day By Day We Magnify You (D. Moldstad)
Making Plans and Setting Goals While Avoiding the Cult of Personality
A lot often rides on the pastor of a congregation making decisions and guiding the congregation in the way he considers wisest. With so many people relying on you to plan and implement their congregational activities/efforts and to get and see results, it is easy to fall into the temptation of thinking you are in control.
As shepherds under Christ, each one of us is replaceable. Lord willing, the congregation will continue long after we have served there. Just as the pastors before us have left their mark, inevitably, we will also. But how do we best serve the congregation, using the gifts and wisdom given to us, while keeping the focus on Christ? How might we examine ourselves and our work in the congregation to recognize if we are inadvertently taking too much of the limelight?
We Worship Your Name (T. Rank)
The Liturgy for a Pastor’s Healing and Comfort & The Habit of Prayer
Part I: As one who is regularly leading the congregation in the Divine Service, there is a temptation to think that you are doing this (only) for the congregation. One clue that this is not true is seen in the Salutation as the congregation expresses its desire that you also have the Lord with your spirit, a mini ordination, as it has been called. The Lord sanctifies His ministers during the Divine Service as well.
Part II: One duty that is laid upon all pastors at their installations is the duty to pray for their congregation. It is an injunction that is given for pastors by St. Paul as well. But it is all too easy to set this task aside or to put it off while other more visible tasks “need” to be done. Yet, this is an essential task to our office, while the other “needed” tasks tend to be more auxiliary to our office.
Keep Us This Day Without Sin (T. Rank)
“Taking Pains”: Devotional Discipline & Catechism Review
Part I: It can be emotionally painful to take on the burdens and sins of God’s people. It is painful to acknowledge our own sins, yet the Lord is gracious and merciful, abounding in steadfast love. Taking pains to have a clear conscience before God and man is the discipline of the Lutheran pastor.
Part II: The Confessions of the Lutheran Church are not just dry theological assertions. Throughout the Book of Concord, we come across phrases that clearly indicate the reason why teaching God’s Word correctly is so vital: it is for the comfort of burdened hearts. Pastors teach the Small Catechism year after year, but like the reformers, our goal is not just to be sure that the catechumens “know the right stuff,” it is to give them a foundation of correctly understanding the Word of God so that they may correctly apply the Law and the Gospel to themselves and others throughout their lives, so that they may be truly comforted when their conscience is burdened.
Let Your Mercy Be Upon Us (J. Mears, 2 part)
Part I. Burnout (Defined, Borne, Healed, Prevented)
The pastoral office and the shepherds that serve in the public ministry are struggling to consistently and faithfully serve in their calling. The work-related stress variables unique to the pastoral office have created a devastating situation in which pastors are feeling burnt out and exhausted. This discussion will help pastors become familiar with warning signs and symptoms of ministry burnout. We will create awareness of the emotional vulnerabilities and common challenges associated with the road to pastoral fatigue. Just as Elijah cried out that he had had enough and could no longer continue, we will find ways to lament to God while seeking rest and encouragement. We will cling to God’s promises and examine safeguards for vocational thriving.
Part II. Depression & Despair
Major Depression is a mental illness that the old evil foe uses as a primary weapon against the Pastoral office. The nature and onset of depression will be discussed within this presentation. The impact and functional consequences of depression can be seen casting a shadow over the life of those impacted and also those around them. Just as we see in research about the impact of depression creating an emotional dark cloud over a family, the same can be true when a pastor is struggling with dark thoughts of despair. Individuals who are depressed report that they tend to spend less time interacting with others, show less affection, and struggle with completing daily tasks. Armed with tools from the best practices of faith informed counseling theory you can prevent the devastating impact of depression. We will also examine the value and benefit of creating strong support networks and honest transparency for depressive tendencies within the parish ministry that you serve.
Let Me Never Be Confounded ( J. Gernander)
A Pastor’s Strength (Gospel) and Defense (Armor of God)
It is a temptation in our office to read and study the Scriptures only for the purpose of our next sermon, Bible class, or faculty study, and neglect our own personal devotional life. This is often how pastors can easily become burnt out as they try to give and give and give out of their own finite resources. But we have a God who is infinite. He strengthens us for the work that He has called us to do by forgiving, encouraging, and emboldening us through His Word. As the capstone of the conference, our pastors will be returning to their respective fields, we want to send them off encouraged and ready for the work ahead.
Day By Day We Magnify You (D. Moldstad)
Making Plans and Setting Goals While Avoiding the Cult of Personality
A lot often rides on the pastor of a congregation making decisions and guiding the congregation in the way he considers wisest. With so many people relying on you to plan and implement their congregational activities/efforts and to get and see results, it is easy to fall into the temptation of thinking you are in control.
As shepherds under Christ, each one of us is replaceable. Lord willing, the congregation will continue long after we have served there. Just as the pastors before us have left their mark, inevitably, we will also. But how do we best serve the congregation, using the gifts and wisdom given to us, while keeping the focus on Christ? How might we examine ourselves and our work in the congregation to recognize if we are inadvertently taking too much of the limelight?
We Worship Your Name (T. Rank)
The Liturgy for a Pastor’s Healing and Comfort & The Habit of Prayer
Part I: As one who is regularly leading the congregation in the Divine Service, there is a temptation to think that you are doing this (only) for the congregation. One clue that this is not true is seen in the Salutation as the congregation expresses its desire that you also have the Lord with your spirit, a mini ordination, as it has been called. The Lord sanctifies His ministers during the Divine Service as well.
Part II: One duty that is laid upon all pastors at their installations is the duty to pray for their congregation. It is an injunction that is given for pastors by St. Paul as well. But it is all too easy to set this task aside or to put it off while other more visible tasks “need” to be done. Yet, this is an essential task to our office, while the other “needed” tasks tend to be more auxiliary to our office.
Keep Us This Day Without Sin (T. Rank)
“Taking Pains”: Devotional Discipline & Catechism Review
Part I: It can be emotionally painful to take on the burdens and sins of God’s people. It is painful to acknowledge our own sins, yet the Lord is gracious and merciful, abounding in steadfast love. Taking pains to have a clear conscience before God and man is the discipline of the Lutheran pastor.
Part II: The Confessions of the Lutheran Church are not just dry theological assertions. Throughout the Book of Concord, we come across phrases that clearly indicate the reason why teaching God’s Word correctly is so vital: it is for the comfort of burdened hearts. Pastors teach the Small Catechism year after year, but like the reformers, our goal is not just to be sure that the catechumens “know the right stuff,” it is to give them a foundation of correctly understanding the Word of God so that they may correctly apply the Law and the Gospel to themselves and others throughout their lives, so that they may be truly comforted when their conscience is burdened.
Let Your Mercy Be Upon Us (J. Mears, 2 part)
Part I. Burnout (Defined, Borne, Healed, Prevented)
The pastoral office and the shepherds that serve in the public ministry are struggling to consistently and faithfully serve in their calling. The work-related stress variables unique to the pastoral office have created a devastating situation in which pastors are feeling burnt out and exhausted. This discussion will help pastors become familiar with warning signs and symptoms of ministry burnout. We will create awareness of the emotional vulnerabilities and common challenges associated with the road to pastoral fatigue. Just as Elijah cried out that he had had enough and could no longer continue, we will find ways to lament to God while seeking rest and encouragement. We will cling to God’s promises and examine safeguards for vocational thriving.
Part II. Depression & Despair
Major Depression is a mental illness that the old evil foe uses as a primary weapon against the Pastoral office. The nature and onset of depression will be discussed within this presentation. The impact and functional consequences of depression can be seen casting a shadow over the life of those impacted and also those around them. Just as we see in research about the impact of depression creating an emotional dark cloud over a family, the same can be true when a pastor is struggling with dark thoughts of despair. Individuals who are depressed report that they tend to spend less time interacting with others, show less affection, and struggle with completing daily tasks. Armed with tools from the best practices of faith informed counseling theory you can prevent the devastating impact of depression. We will also examine the value and benefit of creating strong support networks and honest transparency for depressive tendencies within the parish ministry that you serve.
Let Me Never Be Confounded ( J. Gernander)
A Pastor’s Strength (Gospel) and Defense (Armor of God)
It is a temptation in our office to read and study the Scriptures only for the purpose of our next sermon, Bible class, or faculty study, and neglect our own personal devotional life. This is often how pastors can easily become burnt out as they try to give and give and give out of their own finite resources. But we have a God who is infinite. He strengthens us for the work that He has called us to do by forgiving, encouraging, and emboldening us through His Word. As the capstone of the conference, our pastors will be returning to their respective fields, we want to send them off encouraged and ready for the work ahead.