Senior Pastors Retreat 2024

2024 Senior Pastors Retreat

February 4, 2024 – February 6, 2024
Beginning at 5:00 PM

Registration Cost: $275
Registration closes January 16, 2024

About the Keynote:

The keynote speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Craig Nessan. Sessions are titled as followed:

1. Navigating Congregational Leadership through Polarizing Times: A Bonhoeffer Moment?
2. Who Is Jesus Christ for us Today? The Significance of Bonhoeffer for the Church’s Witness
3. Intentionally Christian: Revisiting the Meaning of Costly Discipleship

Pre-Reading Recommendation:

Reading: Clifford J. Green and Michael P. DeJonge, The Bonhoeffer Reader. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2013. Pages 282-285, 370-381, 449-485, 514-529, 749-756, 761-806, 816-817.

Craig L. Nessan, Intentionally Christian: A Study Guide to Bonhoeffer’s Writings for an Underground Seminary. Designed for Use by Pastors and Deacons: https://www.wartburgseminary.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Bonhoeffer_Intentionally-Christian_Study-Guide.pdf

Draft Schedule:

Sunday

5:00 – 6:00 PM – Arrival & Check-in
6:00 – 7:00 PM – Dinner
7:00 – 7:20 PM – Introductions & Welcome/Affinity Groups
7:20 – 7:50 PM – Opening Worship: Bishop Hagmaier
7:50 – 8:00 PM – Announcements & Schedule
8:00 PM – Social time, LPG hosts desserts

Monday

Breakfast on your own (fruit & pastries will be available later in the AM session)

8:45 – 9:00 AM – Morning Devotion: Pr. Jon Anderson
9:00 – 10:15 AM – Session I: Dr. Craig Nessan
10:15 – 10:45 AM – Break
10:45 – 12:00 AM – Session II: Dr. Craig Nessan
12:00 – 1:00 PM – Lunch – Deadline for signups
1:00 – 6:00 PM – Free-time
1:00 – 5:00 PM – 1-on-1’s with Bishop, Associates, Chaplain, and Kathy (20–30-minute slots)
6:00 – 7:45 PM – Dinner with film and conversation
7:45 – 8:00 PM – Evening Devotions: Pr. Jon Anderson
8:00 PM – LPG hosts desserts

Tuesday

Breakfast on your own (fruit & pastries will be available later in the AM session)

8:45 – 9:00 AM – Morning Devotions:  Pr. Jon Anderson
9:00 – 9:45 AM – Session III: Dr. Craig Nessan
9:45 – 10:15 AM – Resource sharing
10:15 – 10:30 AM – Break
10:30 – 11:30 AM – Q&A with Synod Staff
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM – Closing Worship: Pr. Jon Anderson
12:15 – 12:45 PM – Lunch
12:45 PM – Depart

Our Speaker:

Dr. Craig L. Nessan is the William D. Streng Professor for the Education and Renewal of the Church, and Professor of Contextual Theology and Ethics at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. Dr. Nessan served eleven years as a parish pastor in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and 23 years as Academic Dean at Wartburg Seminary. He holds degrees from Michigan State University, Wartburg Theological Seminary, and the University of Munich. He is the author of many books and articles. Craig and Cathy Nessan have six adult children, seven grandchildren, and a new puppy.

Our Chaplain:

The chaplain will be Pr. Jon Anderson. Pastor Jon Anderson serves as Director of Rural Ministry at Luther Seminary. He grew up on a dairy farm south of Belgrade, MN (Between Willmar and Sauk Rapids). His first ancestors in this country came to the area and family have lived on the land there since the late 1850s. His family farm is located on land that was the traditional homeland of the Dakota people. In his early ministry he served at camps and congregations in Texas and Minnesota. He served eighteen years as bishop in the Southwestern Minnesota Synod of the ELCA. As Director of Rural Ministry he provides leadership in the area of Luther Seminary’s Small Town and Rural(STaR) Ministry. Jon loves to see what his spouse Robyn will create next as a working artist. He is thankful for his three children, spouses and three grandchildren. Jon loves to garden. Planting seeds, growing plants and walking with people as they grow gives him joy. You can find his blog articles and course at www.faithlead.org.

Location:
Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center at Cedar Shore
1500 Shoreline Dr, Oacoma, SD 57365
Venue Website