2026 Fall Theological Conference
Voices in the Sacred Hills: Preaching through the Power of the Spirit
September 13, 2026 – September 15, 2026
Custer, SD
The 2026 Fall Theological Conference will be held September 13-15 in Custer, SD. The featured speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Ken Sundet Jones, Director of the Iowa Preachers Project and Gerhard O. Forde Professor Emeritus of Church History and Theology at Grand View University. Dr. Jones will speak on the theme “Voices in the Sacred Hills: Preaching through the Power of the Spirit.“
About the Rev. Dr. Ken Sundet Jones
Ken Sundet Jones is a native South Dakotan with a deep love for the SD Synod. He serves as Director of the Iowa Preachers Project, which partners with Mockingbird Ministries to foster the proclamation of the Gospel by connecting passionate preachers from across denominations, clarifying their calling, and surrounding them with God’s grace and freedom in Jesus Christ. Previously, Ken served as the Gerhard O. Forde Professor Emeritus of Church History and Theology at Grand View University, where he received awards for excellence and innovation in teaching and for scholarship. He holds a PhD in church history, specializing in Luther studies and the Reformation. He’s memorized the Small Catechism at least three times in his life and may finally have it down now.
Ken is the author of The Lutheran Toolkit and a contributor to By Heart, the Dictionary of Luther and Lutheranism, and various editions of The Lutheran Handbook. He is a frequent writer for both Mockingbird and 1517, and his work has appeared in Lutheran Quarterly, Lutheran Forum, and Loggia. For countless sins, he confesses “Mea culpa” and yearns for absolution every time he sits in a pew. In the midst of suffering, loss, and death, he remains a theologian of the cross who looks to Christ’s glory hidden on the cross.
Speaker:
Rev. Dr. Ken Sundet Jones
Director, Iowa Preachers Project
Gerhard O. Forde Professor Emeritus of Church History and Theology, Grand View University
About the Conference
The 2026 Fall Theological Conference will be held at Custer Lutheran Fellowship in Custer, SD.
Lodging
Each registrant is responsible for making lodging arrangements. Lodging is available for the Conference at the following locations:
- Outlaw Ranch, 12703 Outlaw Ranch Rd, Custer, SD 57730, (605) 673-4040. Rate information is available here.
- Best Western, 310 W Mt Rushmore Rd, Custer, SD 57730, 605-673-2275, https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotels-in-custer/best-western-buffalo-ridge-inn/propertyCode.42004.html
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 433 W Mount Rushmore Rd, Custer, SD 57730, 605-673-2500, https://www.ihg.com/hotels/us/en/reservation
- Rocket Motel, 211 Mt. Rushmore Road, Custer, SD 57730, 605-673-4401
- Bavarian Inn, 855 North 5th St., Custer, SD 57730, 605-673-2802, bavarianinnsd.com
Optional Activities
There are optional activities you can participate in on Monday, September 14, in the afternoon, including:
- Hot Air Balloon Rides on Monday morning at sunrise (blackhillsballoons.com)
- Wildlife Loop Tour on Monday morning
- Sacred Storm/Wambli Ska Tour on Monday afternoon
- Trails near Outlaw Ranch – Outlaw staff lead on Monday afternoon
- Unfinished objects/projects (UFOs) on Monday afternoon
- Camp service projects on Monday afternoon
- Crazy Horse Mountain on Monday afternoon
- Black Elk Peak Hike on Monday afternoon
- Bike Ride on Mickelson Trail (Outlaw provide bikes and transportation) on Monday afternoon
- Other activities participant choice – Custer packet from Chamber of Commerce
A sign-in sheet for the activities will be available at registration. Some of the activities will have an additional cost.
Schedule
Sunday, Sept. 13th
- We will also recognize Rostered Ministers/SAMs/Seminarians new to the SD Synod.
7:00 PM Casual Gathering at Outlaw Ranch, 12703 Outlaw Ranch Rd, Custer, SD 57730
- Food/Snacks and beverages will be available.
- Lemonade and water will be provided.
Monday, Sept. 14th:
9:00 AM Devotions/Opening Prayer/State of the Synod – CLF Sanctuary
- Bishop Constanze Hagmaier
- Pr. Renee Splichal Larson, Associate to the Bishop
- Pr. Jonathan Vehar, DEM/Associate to the Bishop
9:30 AM Session I: Dr. Ken Sundet Jones – CLF Sanctuary
10:30 AM Coffee Break – CLF Fellowship Hall
11:00 AM Session II: Dr. Ken Sundet Jones – CLF Sanctuary
Monday, Sept. 14th (continued):
12:00 PM – Portico Update – Pr. Timothy Schroeder – CLF Sanctuary
12:10pm Lutheran Church Faith and Hope of Nicaragua (ILFE) Update – Anghy & Celeste – CLF Sanctuary (Zoom)
12:15 PM – Lutherans Outdoors in SD Update – Nick Moser, Executive Director – CLF Sanctuary
12:30 PM Lunch – CLF Fellowship Hall
1:00 PM Free Time
- Some options for on-your-own activities are listed above
5:30 PM Social Hour at Outlaw Ranch
- Non-alcoholic beverages provided.
6:30 PM Meal at Outlaw Ranch
- State of the Synod (continued)
- Pr. Joel Pakan, Director for Rural Ministry
- Pr. Kari Webb, Director of Digital Community and Learning/Project Director, Journeying Together in Christ (Pasque Learning Community)
- Executive Director of Lutheran Planned Generosity of SD
- Pr. Renae Boehmer, Director for the Holy Playground Initiative
Tuesday, Sept. 16th:
9:00 AM Devotions, Announcements, Introductions – CLF Sanctuary
9:15 AM Session III: Dr. Ken Sundet Jones – CLF Sanctuary
10:15 AM Coffee Break – CLF Fellowship Hall
10:45 AM Sending Worship – CLF Sanctuary
Online Registration
- General Registration Fee – $125
- Interns/Seminarians/Part-Time/Retired/SAMs/Neighbors in Solidarity – $75
Please select the registration options to the right. Scholarships are available, especially for Neighbors in Solidarity, to cover registration and travel costs.
Registration closes Friday, August 14th.
