2024 Ohio Winkel for Laity Convocation Presenters and Presentations
1. Chris Eldridge, Pastor at Prince of Peace (Columbus, OH)? “Caring for the Church Worker: Its Necessity and What You Can Do”. This presentation seeks to provide scriptural, confessional, and historical encouragement for churches to recognize and be equipped to care for their church workers. Various studies show church workers suffer in numerous ways, but the church can assist their workers in providing care for them. This presentation seeks to generate conversation and encouragement as we come together to support our workers.
2. George Zoebl, Pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church (Columbus, OH), “Breaking Lutheran (LCMS Style)” What comes to your mind when you think of “liturgy”? Our Christian identity is most certainly in the way we worship. Why we do, what we do. 1 Peter 2:9 tells us that our liturgy “leitourgia” is done for the life of the world… God serving His people with His gifts made available by Jesus Christ. And that truth truly has something to say. It is said if you put two LCMS members in a room you’ll come up with three different opinions, however when it comes to the liturgy, unity prevails and rightly so. Find out the why”.
3. Richard Schneider, Pastor at Atonement Lutheran Church (Columbus, OH), “Demons and Spiritual Battles: How a Lutheran approaches them” “Though devils all the world should fill…” Hollywood keeps cranking out movies regarding “the ultimate battle between good and evil,” reflecting an obsession our society and even many Christians have with what the devil and his angels are up to. A biblical perspective on the devil, his angels, and spiritual battles prevents a person from becoming obsessed as well as being dismissive about the reality and activity of demons.
4. Wes Hromowyk, Pastor at Zion Ev. Lutheran Church (Columbus, OH), “Not Missing Opportunities: Getting Better at Catechesis and Evangelism in the Church and Home” Catechesis and Evangelism are two sides of the same coin. You cannot have one without the other. This presentation will offer an analysis of how we can do a better job of doing both, which is the essence of the Ministry of the Word to which pastors are called to serve. The tactical suggestion for improvement will focus on the acronym DEACON: Deliberate, Evangelical-minded, Applicative, Calculated, On-going, Nutritious catechesis.
5. Daniel Herb, Pastor at Messiah Lutheran Church (Middletown, OH), “Knowing What the Future Holds: Understanding Predestination” Most laity struggle with understanding and articulating the concept and teaching of predestination. There has been much debate in the Church regarding election and how to correctly understand it. This paper is a result of a parishioner asking about predestination. There is nothing new in this paper. It is an attempt to take what has been already written in the Scriptures, Confessions, and the Lutheran church fathers, and put into a narrative that is easily understood.
6. Joshua Ulm, Pastor at Ascension Lutheran Church (North Olmsted, OH), “Luther on Prayer” Martin Luther’s theology of prayer is informed by his theology of justification by faith. Full reliance on the merits of Christ for salvation causes Luther to base even his prayers on trust. This sectional examines The Large Catechism, Luther’s Little Prayer Book and his Treatise on Good Works, as well as select prayers to show how Luther’s theology of justification flows into his theology of prayer and his own prayer life.
7. Kevin Wilson, Ohio District President, “The Royal Priesthood: God’s Calling on Our Lives” The Priesthood of All Believers is a biblical doctrine that served as a cornerstone for the Reformation. While the doctrine’s influence waned in the centuries after Martin Luther’s death, changes in society are bringing the Royal Priesthood back to prominence. This presentation will explore how 1 Peter 2:9 impacts Christians today: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
8. Sean Willman, Senior Pastor at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (Hillsdale, MI), T“Weaker Vessels and Lords: Submission and Honor in the Christian Marriage According to 1 Peter 3” The Holy Scriptures give clear but sometimes uncomfortable direction to husbands and wives regarding their responsibilities and duties in marriage. Peter says the woman is the weaker vessel? The husband should be called lord? Too often this out-of-style language drives the Christian couple away from the Bible and toward secular marriage books. Don’t let that be you. Come and learn how these challenging words from Peter can help you have a happier, healthier, and more faithful marriage.
9. Timm Heath, Jr., Pastor at Zion Lutheran Church (Owego, NY), “The Archenemy & the Archangel: Investigating the Mystery of Lawlessness and the Mysterious Restrainer of 2 Thessalonians 2” The Apostle Paul's words in 2 Thessalonians 2:5-7 have baffled theologians for millennia. What is “the mystery of lawlessness”? Who (or what) is restraining it? In investigating these mysteries hearers will learn to navigate the hazards of spiritual conjecture and return to greater sensibility of the supernatural realities that surround us.
10. Richard Sovitzky IV, Pastor at Trinity (Logan/Sugar Grove, OH), “Walther on Marriage and Family: the Duties of Parents and Children, Husbands and Wives.” You may know C.F.W. Walther as a founder of our Synod and its first president. You may have heard of his lectures on Law and Gospel. But there is much more worth knowing of him. A prolific author and presenter, Walther touched on many topics throughout his long career. This presentation examines Walther’s convention essays on the Christian understanding of marriage and family in the American context. His insights are surprisingly fresh and speak powerfully to issues our society is confused about today.
11. Brett Cornelius, Pastor at Holy Cross (Vandalia, IL), “Closed Communion, Confessing Christ Together” Closed communion isn't merely about what a person believes about the Holy Supper. It's not just a matter of whether a person believes in the true presence. Rather closed communion is a confession we make together about the Gospel. The table is a place of unity. It is the place where the hidden Church is in a way visible, therefore unity at the table requires that we agree on the Gospel in all its articles.
12. Dan Golden, Pastor at St. Paul’s (Parkersburg, WV), “Ministry and Evangelism in Appalachia”