Southern District Pastors’ Conference

The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod

2010 Pastors’ Conference

Plenary and Sectional Presenters

Updated: 04.10.10

PLENARY PRESENTERS – Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday

Tilahun Mekonnen Mendedo – Building on the Past, Shaping the Future.

The Rev. Dr. Tilahun Mekonnen Mendedo is president of Concordia College – Selma, Alabama. He is a graduate of Evangelical Theological College and Mekane Yesus Theological Seminary, both in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He was certified for pastoral ministry in the LCMS in 2003 and graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary (2007), where he earned a Ph.D. in Missiology. Prior to coming to the United States to work on his doctorate, Tilahun served as the Theological Training Center administrator and curriculum advisor for the five-million-member Ethiopian Evangelical Lutheran Church Mekane Yesus, the world’s second-largest Lutheran church body. He has done extensive work in church planting in Central Ethiopia and more recently in Mobile, Alabama. He has assisted in the translation of several of Luther’s works, including The Book of Concord, into his native Amharic language. Previously he was pastor of Faith in Mobile, Alabama. Tilahun was installed as president of Concordia College – Selma in January of this year.

Dien Ashley Taylor – Crossing Cultural Boundaries.

The Rev. Dr. Dien Ashley Taylor is pastor of Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Bronx, New York. He is a graduate of Concordia College – Bronxville (B.A. 1995), Concordia Seminary – St. Louis (M.Div. 2000), and Fordham University – The Bronx (2005), where he earned a Ph.D. in Religious Education. He has extensive experience in the church as a teacher, musician, and keynote speaker. In the Southern District, Dien serves as chairman of the Board of Regents of Concordia College – Selma.

Anthony Cook – Crossing Cultural Boundaries.

The Rev. Anthony Cook is Assistant Professor of Practical Theology and Director of Educational Technology at Concordia Seminary – St. Louis. He is a graduate of Concordia University – River Forest (B.A. 1990) and Concordia Seminary – St. Louis (M.Div. 1994). Previously he was pastor of St. John in Granite City, Illinois; district missionary pastor in Nevada, Iowa; and senior pastor of King of Kings in Mason, Ohio. Anthony has served at Concordia Seminary since 2005.

Kurtis Schultz – Southern District Frontiers in Mission and Ministry.

The Rev. Kurtis Schultz is President of the Southern District LCMS. He is a graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary – Fort Wayne (M.Div. 1979). Previously he was pastor of Christ the King in Enterprise, Alabama and First in Birmingham. He is a member of the Concordia Theological Seminary Board of Regents and active on the Council of Presidents. Kurtis has served as the Mission Leader of the Southern District since 2003.

SECTIONAL PRESENTERS: Session One – Wednesday Afternoon at 1:30pm.

Larry Stier – Every Pastor Needs a Friend: “Tell Me about Your Friend” (Cypress Room) – The importance of a good friend and friendship is discussed, including six essential qualities of friendship. The story of David and Jonathon and extra-biblical examples are cited. A time for sharing about friendship is coupled with concerns about pastors cultivating friendships within the congregation they serve. Dealing with the loss or betrayal of friendship will also be addressed. Larry Stier is a retired pastor in Shreveport, Louisiana, serving most recently as a VA hospital chaplain.

Jason Scheler – Learning Lab for Leaders (Magnolia Room) – What is the one new piece of information that would transform your ministry? What do you need when you leave this experience in order to make a real difference? Don’t go home without first seeing what God is doing. In this session we will seek to answer those questions, so that you will be equipped and encouraged to take the next need step when you get back home. Let’s get real and practical! Jason Scheler is pastor-planter of Hope – Santa Rosa Beach, Florida and addicted to learning and returning, who also serves as an international consultant/trainer for large and small congregations, single- or multi-sites.

Randal Ehrichs – Haiti – Mercy and Mission in the Midst of Misery (Pecan Room) – Blessed with the opportunity to serve as chaplain to a Mercy Medical Team in Haiti March 11^th – 22^nd, Randal will share his recent experience of bringing the love of Christ to those suffering in Haiti. The session will include his personal videos and slides and relate how the Human Care Division of our Lutheran World Relief is able to reach out in word and deed to the needy of God’s creation. Please come and see how you too might more extensively participate in the global acts of God’s mercy. Randal Ehrichs is pastor of Good Shepherd – Panama City, Florida and counselor for Circuit 15.

SECTIONAL PRESENTERS: Session Two – Wednesday Afternoon at 2:30pm.

Daniel Thies – Evangelical-Lutheran Piety: Style, Substance, or Both (Cypress Room) – A brief look at the historical connections from Luther’s early devotional works and worship reform to the development of his catechisms leads to an understanding of how piety is meant to affect doctrinal instruction in a Lutheran context, and conversely how practice should be free to be formed by instruction in the faith. Our contemporary liturgical usage therefore should constantly reflect and develop a contextual understanding of Law and Gospel. Daniel Thies is pastor of Eternal Trinity – Milton, Florida.

Gene Menzel – Mission Stew (Magnolia Room) – What are the components for a healthy mission that is supported by generous grace-response stewardship? Is the offering plate our only option for funding congregational mission? In this session, we will investigate some possible alternatives meant to encourage growth in stewardship beyond the everyday budget concerns. We are stewards of what God in his grace has entrusted to us. Gene Menzel serves as Executive Assistant for Parish Services – Southern District.

Doug Davis – Turning First-Time Guests into Fully-Engaged Members (Pecan Room) – Assimilation! You have seven minutes to make a positive first impression. Doug will lead a discussion of an assimilation process which engages the first-time guest from the moment they arrive in your parking lot. Doug Davis is pastor of Messiah Church, a launch large church plant in Prattville, Alabama.