Wisconsin Lutheran College's Center for Christian Leadership hosted its first conference for lay leaders and pastors on June 8 and 9. With 152 people in attendance, the conference focused on providing "a biblical, honest, and practical approach to the partnership of pastoral and lay leadership," says Rev. Paul Kelm, campus pastor at Wisconsin Lutheran College (WLC) and interim director of the college's new Center for Christian Leadership. WLC planned the conference in consultation with the WELS Commission on Congregational Counseling and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis.

The framework of the conference was established through an essay written by seminary professor Rev. E. Allen Sorum that discusses the partnership of pastoral and lay leadership. Many pastors attended the conference with lay leaders from their congregation.

Rev. Ken Brokmeier, pastor at Our Savior, Brookings, S.D., attended the conference with Our Savior’s member Matt Fenske. Brokmeier says, “It was nice to have some sessions that included everyone and others from which you could choose. As Matt and I selected workshops we did so with the goal of trying to avoid both of us attending the same workshop. For the most part we were able to accomplish this. It also gave us plenty of things to talk about on the 550-plus-mile drive home.”

Lori Lorig, coordinator of personal member ministry at Trinity, Crete, Ill., adds, “It was an outstanding opportunity for WELS pastors and lay men and women leaders to come together, network, and learn how to do ministry more effectively in order to build God’s kingdom.”

Kelm says that WLC’s Center for Christian Leadership plans to host similar conferences in the future and that attendees also clearly desire more leadership resources and consulting. WLC will continue to work with WELS Commission on Congregational Counseling and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary as future initiatives are developed