Mission Field: USA --- Church Planting

How can a harvest be secured from the ripening field of a church-sponsored child-care ministry? In this episode, Rev. Dan Prugh — Pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Tampa, FL, joins host Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore the steps your church can take. About Rev. Dan Prugh: Rev. Daniel Prugh currently serves Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and School in Tampa, FL. Over the last fourteen years, he has been part of early childhood ministries in three different churches. He served as an Associate Pastor of First Lutheran Church in Gainesville, FL, where a new early childhood center was dedicated the day he was installed in the congregation. He served as Senior Pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and Child Development Center in Midlothian, VA, where he joined an existing church and school start with a childcare center. His current call as Pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Tampa, FL, has a preschool and elementary school. Rev. Prugh has encountered the great joy of reaching many families with the Good News of Jesus. However, he has also encountered difficulties in serving in these complicated ministry settings. He is married to Jennifer Prugh, and his elementary aged children have personally benefited from church-sponsored childcare ministries. Sign up to receive email notifications of new podcast releases and other church-planting ministry news. Registration only requires your email address, name and zip code. Check the “Church Planting” option on the form. Sign up > mailchi.mp/lcms/resources

How does the new pastor follow a church-planting pastor once the new congregation has been successfully planted? Rev. Dr. John Fiene, Emeritus Senior Pastor of Advent Evangelical Lutheran Church, Zionsville, Indiana joins host Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to consider how a pastor succeeds a church planter in a new congregation. Rev. Dr. John Fiene About Rev. Dr. John Fiene: Rev. Dr. John Fiene has been a Church Planter of Grace Lutheran Church in Sandy City, Utah, and later, Advent Lutheran Church, Zionsville, Indiana. Both congregations, subsequent to their own founding, initiated successful new mission congregations. He currently serves as pastor at University Lutheran Chapel on the University of Colorado campus in Boulder, Pastor Fiene has served as Vice-President of the Indiana District of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Rocky Mountain District. He has taught on the subject of mission planting as an adjunct professor at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Indiana as well as various pastors' conferences. Pastor Fiene is happily married to Solvieg Fiene. They are blessed with four children and eight grand children

People don't talk about church planting if they know nothing about it. In this episode, Rev. Dr. Ken Schurb — Executive for Evangelism and Missions, Stewardship and Human Care at the Central Illinois District-LCMS, joins host Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore tools that are available to provide basic information to get the discussion started in your congregation. About Dr. Ken Schurb: The Rev. Dr. Ken Schurb has been an Administrative Assistant to the President of the Central Illinois District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod since the summer of 2017. Previously he served as a parish pastor for a total of 19 years in two congregations: Peace Lutheran Church in Berne, Indiana and Zion Lutheran Church in Moberly, Missouri. The Rev. Schurb was trained to be both a pastor and a Lutheran high school teacher. He graduated from Concordia Teachers College, Seward, Nebraska with B.A. and B.S.Ed. degrees. Then he attended Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, from which he holds not only an M.Div. degree but also an S.T.M. He studied the Reformation with Dr. James Kittelson at The Ohio State University, where he received his M.A. and Ph.D. Dr. Schurb taught at Concordia College, Ann Arbor, Michigan from 1992 to 1994. For the next seven years he worked as an assistant to LCMS President A. L. Barry at the Synod's International Center in St. Louis. Within the Synod, over the years he has also been a member of the (now defunct) Board for Youth Ministry, the Commission on Theology and Church Relations, the Committee on Convention Nominations, and the Concordia Historical Institute Board of Governors. While a parish pastor in Missouri, he served as a Vice-President of that District. He is currently the Book Review Editor of the Concordia Historical Institute Quarterly, and occasionally teaches on an adjunct basis for Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. Pastor Schurb and his wife Lana met in church in Columbus, Ohio. They have two children, a son-in-law, and three grandchildren. Sign up to receive email notifications of new podcast releases and other church-planting ministry news. Registration only requires your email address, name and zip code. Check the “Church Planting” option on the form. Sign up > mailchi.mp/lcms/resources

How does the current status of a congregations, both internally and externally, affect the strategic planning process? Rev. Todd Kollbaum, Director of Rural and Small Town Mission and Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Madison, NE, joins host Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore ministry planning. Rev. Todd Kollbaum About Rev. Todd Kollbaum: Pastor Kollbaum currently serves as Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church Madison, NE as well as Director of LCMS Rural & Small Town Mission.  He was installed at Trinity on July 28th of 2019 and has served as Director of  LCMS Rural & Small Town Mission since April 1, 2013.  Prior to that call, he served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cole Camp, MO.  Pastor has been happily married to Angela Kollbaum for over 30 years.  They are blessed with five children, three of whom are now married. Zachary (Clarissa), Jordan (Stephanie) and Emily (Dylan), Ryan (a Senior at Concordia University Nebraska) and Abigail (a Sophomore at  Lutheran High Northeast in Norfolk, NE).  They are also blessed to be grandparents to 2 year old Theodore Andrew born to Jordan and Steph and one year old Calvin Edward and 4 month old Elliot Neil born to Zach and Clarissa. Sign up to receive email notifications of new podcast releases and other church-planting ministry news. Registration only requires your email address, name and zip code. Check the “Church Planting” option on the form. Sign up > mailchi.mp/lcms/resources

The Holy Spirit works the same today as in any time in history—through the power of the Gospel! In this episode, Rev. Dr. Mark Wood — Director of LCMS Witness & Outreach Ministry and LCMS Revitalization Initiative, joins host Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore emerging insights on how to connect the eternal Gospel to our generation. Rev. Dr. Mark Wood About Rev. Dr. Mark Wood: The Rev. Dr. Mark A. Wood serves as the director of LCMS Witness & Outreach Ministry and the LCMS Revitalization Initiative. He is the creator of the Every One His Witness evangelism program and the re:Vitality revitalization program. Prior to joining the LCMS Office of National Mission in June 2014, he served as the founding pastor of Lamb of God Lutheran Church in Lithia, Fla., a daughter congregation of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Brandon, Fla., where he served as the evangelism pastor from 2000 to 2008. A second-career pastor, he served for six years on active duty service in the U.S. Air Force and then worked 14 years in the aerospace-defense industry, primarily in project management systems. A 2000 graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN, he also holds an associate's degree in computer programming, a bachelor's degree in business administration, and Doctor of Ministry degree with an emphasis in Church Planting and Renewal from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, FL. He is married to Mary Ellen, who works as a recruiter for a hospice and home health care personnel services agency. They have five adult children, six grandchildren, and three great-granddaughters. Sign up to receive email notifications of new podcast releases and other church-planting ministry news. Registration only requires your email address, name and zip code. Check the “Church Planting” option on the form. Sign up > mailchi.mp/lcms/resources

In this episode, Rev. Dr. Yared Halche — Facilitator for Inter-Ethnic Mission Engagement for the Southeastern District LCMS, joins host Rev. Dr. Mark Larson — Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to clarify the mission and vision of new work from a biblical perspective and how to incorporate these concepts into a working plan. About Rev. Dr. Yared Halche: Yared Halche was born and grew up in Ethiopia. He studied theology in Ethiopia, Norway and the United States. He earned his PhD in missiology from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN, in 2009. Yared is married to Bethel and the Lord has blessed them with two children. Yared started serving in the Lutheran Church of Ethiopia as a youth leader during the difficult communist era. His professional career started as a seminary teacher in south Ethiopia and continued as a missionary and mission developer in the United States. He served as a mission developer in Las Vegas, NV and regional director for African Immigrants Ministry in the West coast. He pastored a congregation in Indiana that has members from 17 different countries. He currently serves as a Facilitator for Interethnic Mission in the Southeastern District of the LCMS. Sign up to receive email notifications of new podcast releases and other church-planting ministry news. Registration only requires your email address, name and zip code. Check the “Church Planting” option on the form. Sign up > mailchi.mp/lcms/resources

Church plants often begin worship in shared spaces, such as schools and theaters. In this episode, Rev. Gaven Mize — Pastor at Augustana Lutheran Church in Hickory, NC — joins host Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore the importance of aesthetics in worship and how church plants can adapt to shared spaces. About Rev. Gaven Mize: Rev. Gaven Mize is the pastor of Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hickory, North Carolina. He holds a bachelor's' degree in Pastoral Ministry from Concordia University of Wisconsin and a master's degree from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne Indiana. Rev. Mize has recently defended his doctoral dissertation entitled, "Beauty Appreciation: Sensory Perception as Catechetical Aesthetics." Rev. Mize has presented papers at multiple symposia and has aid reinvasions and architectural catechesis for multiple churches in the LCMS. Sign up to receive email notifications of new podcast releases and other church-planting ministry news. Registration only requires your email address, name and zip code. Check the “Church Planting” option on the form. Sign up > mailchi.mp/lcms/resources

In the Great Commission, Christ calls us to make disciples of all peoples.  In our globalized world, the peoples of the world are coming to us. In this episode, the Rev. Dr. Matthew Buse, Executive Director at the Immigrant Mission Field Network, joins host Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore how we engage in diaspora mission to reach the newly arrived. Rev. Dr. Matthew Buse About the Rev. Dr. Matthew Buse: Rev. Dr. Buse currently serves as the Founder and Executive Director of the Immigrant Mission Field Network, which supports LCMS congregations in mission field engagement with as many diaspora communities as possible. He is a 2020 graduate of the PhD in Missiology program at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne. Prior to that, he served as Pastor in the Lutheran Church of Australia in parishes in Melbourne and rural South Australia. That arrangement came about after receiving a Master of Theology degree at Australian Lutheran College, Adelaide in 2008. He is a 2007 graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary. Rev. Buse and wife, Rachel, have been married for 18 years. They have two daughters, Mira and Alathea. The family lives in Fort Wayne, IN and are members of Ascension Lutheran Church. Sign up to receive email notifications of new podcast releases and other church-planting ministry news. Registration only requires your email address, name and zip code. Check the “Church Planting” option on the form. Sign up > mailchi.mp/lcms/resources

North America used to be more Christian; that's changing. We want to win it back. Is there a more effective narrative to explain the need for church planting? In this episode, Rev. Daniel Yang — Director of the Send Institute, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, former Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore a more effective narrative to explain the need for church planting. Rev. Daniel Yang About Rev. Daniel Yang: Daniel is the Director of the Send Institute, leading and overseeing all of its initiatives. Prior to directing the institute, he planted a church in Toronto where he also helped recruit, assess, and train church planters through the Send Network and the Release Initiative. Daniel has served on various church staffs including Northwood Church, led by Bob Roberts Jr., where he was trained as a church planter and involved in global and multi-faith engagement. Prior to church planting, Daniel was an engineer for eight years. He earned an M.Div. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Michigan, and is currently a Ph.D. Intercultural Studies student at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Sign up to receive email notifications of new podcast releases and other church-planting ministry news. Registration only requires your email address, name and zip code. Check the “Church Planting” option on the form. Sign up > mailchi.mp/lcms/resources

The less time a church planter spends looking at a computer screen, the better.  What tools can efficiently handle administrative tasks to maximize ministry time? In this episode, Mr. Peter Frank — Digital Product Owner at Concordia Publishing House, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore how to use digital tools to maximize ministry time. About Peter Frank: Peter Frank is full-time student at Concordia Seminary who also serves part-time at Concordia Publishing House as the Digital Product Owner. His responsibilities include leading Concordia Technology Solutions (CTS), the church management software division. A graduate of Concordia University Wisconsin, his background in theology, business, and technology gives him a unique perspective on software in the church. He is married and the father of two young children.

Resources are limited. How can ministries collaborate, merge or even “replant” to advance Christ's mission? In this episode, Rev. Todd Kollbaum — director of LCMS Rural and Small Town Mission, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore strategies to maximize resources for Christ's mission. Rev. Todd Kollbaum About Rev. Todd Kollbaum: Pastor Kollbaum currently serves as Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church Madison, NE as well as Director of LCMS Rural & Small Town Mission. He was installed at Trinity on July 28th of 2019 and has served as Director of LCMS Rural & Small Town Mission since April 1, 2013. Prior to that call, he served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cole Camp, MO. Pastor has been happily married to Angela Kollbaum for over 30 years. They are blessed with five children, three of whom are now married. Zachary (Clarissa), Jordan (Stephanie) and Emily (Dylan), Ryan (a Senior at Concordia University Nebraska) and Abigail (a Sophomore at Lutheran High Northeast in Norfolk, NE). They are also blessed to be grandparents to 2 year old Theodore Andrew born to Jordan and Steph and one year old Calvin Edward and 4 month old Elliot Neil born to Zach and Clarissa.

Church planters are passionate.  This passion, even with the best intentions, can lead to conflict. In this episode, Mr. Ted Kober, Senior Ambassador for Ambassadors of Reconciliation, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore biblical and effective strategies to resolve conflict and heal through a reconciliation process. Find the "Proclaiming God's Forgiveness" resource mentioned in this episode at aorhope.org/pgf. About Ted Kober: Ted Kober serves as Senior Ambassador for Ambassadors of Reconciliation (AoR). Since AoR's founding, he served as President until 2015. Ted has published articles, Bible studies, devotions, training courses, and books including Confession & Forgiveness, Go and Be Reconciled: What Does This Mean? and Built on the Rock: The Healthy Congregation. He teaches in congregations, church-worker conferences, schools, universities, and seminaries throughout the world. He has equipped church body leaders from more than 40 countries. A Certified Christian Conciliator™ since 1992, Ted consults and conciliates in cases ranging from personal disputes to lawsuits and church conflicts. Prior to reconciliation work, he owned or managed more than 30 different companies, and he resolved fifty-nine legal disputes in one estate. He has served on more than 50 boards of directors. He and wife Sonja live in Billings, Montana. They have one son and two grandchildren.

Jesus calls us to care for both the spiritual and physical needs of our neighbors. In this episode, Rev. Dr. Carlos Hernandez— director of LCMS Church and Community Engagement (Retired), joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore how assessing needs in the community gives opportunity to share the Gospel. About Rev. Dr. Carlos Hernandez: Pastor Hernandez is a life-long Lutheran, who attended Lutheran elementary and high school in Texas and California. He graduated from Concordia, Portland in 1963, Concordia Senior College in 1965 (B.A),  Concordia Seminary in 1969 (M.Div.) serving his vicarage at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Bronx, New York.  He also graduated from New York Theological Seminary in 1974 with a Master of Sacred Theology.  He received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Concordia University, Mequon, Wisconsin, 2012. He served as Pastor at Trinity and Zion, Wheatland and Douglas, Wyoming (1969-1973), Trinity, Watsonville, California (1974-1995), and Trinity, Glen Cove, New York (1995-1999).  He also served as Director, Districts and Congregations, LCMS World Relief and Human Care (1999-2017). He is married to Maureen (née, Remien) since December 21, 1968 and has five grown children and ten grandchildren. Sign up to receive email notifications of new podcast releases and other church-planting ministry news. Registration only requires your email address, name and zip code. Check the “Church Planting” option on the form. Sign up > mailchi.mp/lcms/resources

Church planting has historically been an important focus of both the national Synod and its districts.  So how it is going?  In this episode, Ryan Curnutt— Senior Research Analyst, Rosters, Statistics, and Research Services for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore the current trends and challenges in church planting in the LCMS. Ryan Curnutt About Ryan Curnutt: Ryan Curnutt is senior research analyst at LCMS Research Services. He has served the LCMS national office for 11 years. He was the lead researcher for the 2017 Millennials and the LCMS research. Ryan is married to Kristina with three daughters.  Sign up to receive email notifications of new podcast releases and other church-planting ministry news. Registration only requires your email address, name and zip code. Check the “Church Planting” option on the form. Sign up > mailchi.mp/lcms/resources

Gathering and deploying a team to launch various aspects of ministry is a key goal of a church planter. In this episode, Rev. Jim Woelmer — Senior Pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Plano, Texas, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore strategies and advice to build this core team. Rev. Jim Woelmer About Rev. Jim Woelmer: Rev James Woelmer is pastor at Faith Lutheran Church, Plano, Texas, 2002-present. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Concordia Theological Seminary in 1990. He served St. John Lutheran Church in Madison, Nebraska from 1990-2002. He received his Master of Family Life degree from Concordia University in Seward in 1999. Pastor Woelmer is the Texas District Circuit Visitor, Circuit 13, 2015-present. He is the secretary for the Randolph Foundation, 2014-present. He served as the Chairman of the Lutheran Mission Alliance, 2014-2019. He serves on the Board of Regents Concordia University Nebraska, 2016-present. He is the Dal-North Zone LWML Pastoral Counselor, 2017-present. He is on the steering committee for Multi-Ethnic Ministry in North Texas, 2017-present. He was involved in the establishment of two new congregations: St. John Lutheran Church in Frisco (2015) and Faith Lutheran Church in Wylie (2020). Pastor Woelmer enjoys jogging and gardening.  He and his wife have five children and seven grandchildren. Sign up to receive email notifications of new podcast releases and other church-planting ministry news. Registration only requires your email address, name and zip code. Check the “Church Planting” option on the form. Sign up > mailchi.mp/lcms/resources The "Mission Field: USA – Church Planting" podcast series, provided by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod's Office of National Mission, offers a theological background and best practices for launching new congregations and ministries within a Lutheran framework.

Financial resources for church planting never seem to go far enough. In this episode, Rev. Todd Kollbaum, Director of Rural and Small Town Mission, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore the challenges and benefits of a church planter holding a job in addition to planting a church. Rev. Todd Kollbaum About Rev. Todd Kollbaum: Pastor Kollbaum currently serves as Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church Madison, NE as well as Director of LCMS Rural & Small Town Mission.  He was installed at Trinity on July 28th of 2019 and has served as Director of  LCMS Rural & Small Town Mission since April 1, 2013.  Prior to that call, he served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cole Camp, MO.  Pastor has been happily married to Angela Kollbaum for over 30 years.  They are blessed with five children, three of whom are now married. Zachary (Clarissa), Jordan (Stephanie) and Emily (Dylan), Ryan (a Senior at Concordia University Nebraska) and Abigail (a Sophomore at  Lutheran High Northeast in Norfolk, NE).  They are also blessed to be grandparents to 2 year old Theodore Andrew born to Jordan and Steph and one year old Calvin Edward and 4 month old Elliot Neil born to Zach and Clarissa. Sign up to receive email notifications of new podcast releases and other church-planting ministry news. Registration only requires your email address, name and zip code. Check the “Church Planting” option on the form. Sign up > mailchi.mp/lcms/resources

Whether local or global, congregations can face times of crisis and change.  How can leaders inspire hope and overcome the paralysis of fear? Rev. David Fleming Rev. David Fleming— Executive Director for Spiritual Care at DOXOLOGY: the Lutheran Center for Spiritual Care and Counsel, and associate pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore biblically-based principles to address and even leverage such times for good. About Rev. David Fleming: Rev. David C. Fleming is DOXOLOGY's Executive Director for Spiritual Care and a DOXOLOGY Collegium Fellow. He remains a part time pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids, MI where he served as Senior Pastor from 1993-2019. He previously served in Warrenville, IL, a Chicago suburb, and is a 1986 graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN. He serves on the Concordia University Wisconsin Board of Regents. Rev. Fleming co-wrote “God's Love at Christmas”, the 2010 Advent-Christmas resource from Concordia Publishing House and has written several articles for Seelsorger, DOXOLOGY's pastoral care journal. Fleming and his wife, Jo Marie, née Wunderlich, have three children and two granddaughters.     Sign up to receive email notifications of new podcast releases and other church-planting ministry news. Registration only requires your email address, name and zip code. Check the “Church Planting” option on the form. Sign up > mailchi.mp/lcms/resources

In this follow-up episode on the December 2020 podcast, "Why Should We Plant Churches?" Rev. Dr. Detlev Schulz— full professor of pastoral ministry and missions at Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, dean of graduate studies, director of PhD Missiology Program and co-director of International Studies, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore the guiding principles of church planting based on an article by church planting expert Daniel Sanchez. The Rev. Dr. Detlev Schulz About Rev. Dr. Detlev Schulz: Dr. Schulz joined the Concordia Theological Seminary (CTSFW), Fort Wayne, faculty in the fall of 1998. He serves as professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions, dean of Graduate Studies and director of the Ph.D. in Missiology Program. In 1984, Schulz earned his B.A. degree at the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. In 1988, he successfully completed his M.Div. studies at the Lutherische Theologische Hochschule in Oberursel, Germany. In 1990, he earned his S.T.M. degree at CTSFW. He then served in the Independent Evangelical–Lutheran Church in Germany (SELK) as vicar in Heidelberg, Germany, from 1990–1992. In 1994, he concluded his studies at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, by earning a Th.D. in Systematics. From 1994–1998, Dr. Schulz was a missionary in Serowe, Botswana, for the Lutheran Church Mission of the SELK.  He also served as a guest lecturer at CTSFW during the Fall Quarter in 1997. Sign up to receive email notifications of new podcast releases and other church-planting ministry news. Registration only requires your email address, name and zip code. Check the “Church Planting” option on the form. Sign up > mailchi.mp/lcms/resources

Planting churches is joyous indeed but it's not easy and requires commitment, energy and resources. Should it still be a priority? The Rev. Dr. Detlev Schulz — full professor of pastoral ministry and missions at Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, dean of graduate studies, director of PhD Missiology Program and co-director of International Studies, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore the biblical and practical reasons why new churches should be planted even today. The Rev. Dr. Detlev Schulz About the Rev. Dr. Detlev Schulz: Dr. Schulz joined the Concordia Theological Seminary (CTSFW), Fort Wayne, faculty in the fall of 1998. He serves as professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions, dean of Graduate Studies and director of the Ph.D. in Missiology Program. In 1984, Schulz earned his B.A. degree at the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. In 1988, he successfully completed his M.Div. studies at the Lutherische Theologische Hochschule in Oberursel, Germany. In 1990, he earned his S.T.M. degree at CTSFW. He then served in the Independent Evangelical–Lutheran Church in Germany (SELK) as vicar in Heidelberg, Germany, from 1990–1992. In 1994, he concluded his studies at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, by earning a Th.D. in Systematics. From 1994–1998, Dr. Schulz was a missionary in Serowe, Botswana, for the Lutheran Church Mission of the SELK.  He also served as a guest lecturer at CTSFW during the Fall Quarter in 1997. Sign up to receive email notifications of new podcast releases and other church-planting ministry news. Registration only requires your email address, name and zip code. Check the “Church Planting” option on the form. Sign up > mailchi.mp/lcms/resources The "Mission Field: USA – Church Planting" podcast series, provided by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod's Office of National Mission, offers a theological background and best practices for launching new congregations and ministries within a Lutheran framework.

Social media has become the new social marketplace.  We know people hang out there.  How do we connect with them to share the Gospel? In this episode, Seth Hinz— Brand, Marketing, & Creative Director for Pathfinder Church in St. Louis, Missouri, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore communications and social media strategies for outreach. Seth Hinz About Seth Hinz: Seth Hinz is the Brand, Marketing, & Creative Director for Pathfinder Church in St. Louis, Missouri (Nov 2018 – Present). He has also served as  the Web/Media Director for Michigan District, LCMS (2010 – 2018), where he grew the District's digital presence to be a thought leader for LCMS churches in Michigan and beyond in the areas of healthy workers and healthy congregations.  He has served as the Social Media Manager for the LCMS National Youth Gathering (2013, 2016, 2019).  He founded Lutheran Communicators – a Facebook group comprised of over 2,600 Lutherans interested in communication, social media, and creativity. He is a graduate of Concordia University Ann Arbor with a BA in Communications and Business Administration, and a Masters in Organizational Leadership and Administration.  He is the son, nephew, and grandson of LCMS pastors. Sign up to receive email notifications of new podcast releases and other church-planting ministry news. Registration only requires your email address, name and zip code. Check the “Church Planting” option on the form. Sign up > mailchi.mp/lcms/resources The "Mission Field: USA – Church Planting" podcast series, provided by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod's Office of National Mission, offers a theological background and best practices for launching new congregations and ministries within a Lutheran framework.

Christ's call to "make disciples" includes helping recently connected people to identify with and feel ownership in the ministry. In this episode, Rev. Dr. Heath Trampe, Senior Pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Minot, North Dakota, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore how ministries can integrate newcomers into the life of the Body of Christ. About Rev. Dr. Heath Trampe: Rev. Dr. Heath Trampe serves as Senior Pastor at Our Savior Lutheran church in Minot, North Dakota.  He earned his M.Div. (2010) and D.Min. (2015) from Concordia Theological Seminary.  His dissertation is entitled: “Forming Servant Leaders: Increasing Congregational Involvement in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.” Trampe has spoken as Plenary at the Synod RSTM Conference and has contributed as a Content Expert to the upcoming Re:Vitality module “Members of One Body.”  Trampe served as Secretary of Floor Committee #12 at the 2019 Synod Convention under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Roger Paavola.  He was recently assigned to the North Dakota District Witness Task force for Planting and Revitalizing Congregations by President Arie Bertsch. Trampe has been married to Andrea (Kahle) since 2005, and they have two sons: Jonathan (10) and Andrew (7). Sign up to receive email notifications of new podcast releases and other church-planting ministry news. Registration only requires your email address, name and zip code. Check the “Church Planting” option on the form. Sign up > mailchi.mp/lcms/resources

God can do immeasurably more that we ask or even imagine.  Even so, figuring out how to fund a mission looms large. In this episode, Rev. Mark Frith, LCEF Vice President of Ministry Support, and Casey Carlson, Missouri District Vice President for LCEF, join hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore one of the most daunting aspects of church planting, "From where will the fund come?" Rev. Mark Frith About Rev. Mark Frith: Rev. Mark Frith is Vice President, Ministry Support for Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF), serving the Central Region. In this role he and his teams serve and support the District LCEF Vice Presidents, their District Staff, congregations, schools, and other ministries with Ministry Clarity Processes, Stewardship, Campaigns, Architectural Counsel, and Laborers For Christ. Mark's experience in ministry includes parish pastor, district staff, and Lutheran Hour Ministries. He is married to his wife, Leigh. They are blessed to be the parents of their adult children, Aaron and Hannah Casey Carlson About Mr. Casey Carlson: Carlson serves as the LCEF district vice president – Missouri.  He has a B.S. in Finance from Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.  After 15 years of commercial banking experience between St. Louis, Missouri, and Des Moines, he joined LCEF in 2017. Besides being an avid sports fan, he enjoys serving others. In the past, he has served as treasurer for St. Paul Lutheran Church, Ankeny, and led two high school servant groups from Concordia, Kirkwood. Sign up to receive email notifications of new podcast releases and other church-planting ministry news. Registration only requires your email address, name and zip code. Check the “Church Planting” option on the form. Sign up > mailchi.mp/lcms/resources

The years at college are formative, shaping the worldview and faith of students for their entire lives. What is at stake? In this episode, Rev. Marcus Zill, Director of Campus Ministry and LCMS U for the LCMS, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore why campus ministry is vital for the future of the church and how your ministry can be involved. Rev. Marcus Zill About Rev. Marcus Zill: The Rev. Marcus T. Zill serves as the director of Campus Ministry and LCMS U. He facilitates connectivity among those engaged in campus ministry; oversees campus ministry conferences, training events and the development of related resources; hosts a campus ministry related radio program through KFUO called The Student Union, and provides support and consultation for the growing number of LCMS campus ministries and for those who wish to develop campus outreach. Prior to beginning work in this position in July 2014, Zill served for more than 15 years as the full-time campus pastor at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church and Campus Center in Laramie, Wyo., working with students at the University of Wyoming. During that time, he also helped found Higher Things, a youth-oriented Recognized Service Organization, and served for seven years as its Christ on Campus Executive. Zill and his wife, Bethany, have two sons, Sterling and Grant. The Zill family lives in Albuquerque, N.M.

Lutheran schools are perfect places for outreach to occur. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Schmidt, Director of LCMS School Ministry, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore how to unleash the powerful instrument that Lutheran schools can be for evangelism and discipleship. Dr. Rebecca Schmidt About Dr. Rebecca Schmidt: Dr. Rebecca Schmidt currently serves as director of School Ministry for The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS).  She earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education and a master's degree in classroom teaching from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan.  She completed a doctorate in educational leadership and supervision at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock, Arkansas.  She completed colloquy through Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Her professional experience includes teaching, directing early childhood programs, and serving as principal in Lutheran elementary schools in Michigan, Arkansas, and Missouri.  Schmidt and her husband, Russell, reside in St. Charles, Mo.  They are blessed with two married daughters and four grandchildren.

A place and space for ministry is a natural desire for those planting churches.  Unfortunately, what should be a blessing can become an unsustainable burden. Rev. Mark Frith, Vice President of Ministry Support, and Mr. Casey Carlson, Missouri District Vice-President for the Lutheran Church Extension Fund, join hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, share insights on this important topic. Rev. Mark Frith About Rev. Mark Frith: Rev. Mark Frith is Vice President, Ministry Support for Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF), serving the Central Region. In this role he and his teams serve and support the District LCEF Vice Presidents, their District Staff, congregations, schools, and other ministries with Ministry Clarity Processes, Stewardship, Campaigns, Architectural Counsel, and Laborers For Christ. Mark's experience in ministry includes parish pastor, district staff, and Lutheran Hour Ministries. He is married to his wife, Leigh. They are blessed to be the parents of their adult children, Aaron and Hannah Mr. Casey Carlson About Mr. Casey Carlson: Carlson serves as the LCEF district vice president – Missouri.  He has a B.S. in Finance from Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.  After 15 years of commercial banking experience between St. Louis, Missouri, and Des Moines, he joined LCEF in 2017. Besides being an avid sports fan, he enjoys serving others. In the past, he has served as treasurer for St. Paul Lutheran Church, Ankeny, and led two high school servant groups from Concordia, Kirkwood. Sign up to receive email notifications of new podcast releases and other church-planting ministry news. Registration only requires your email address, name and zip code. Check the “Church Planting” option on the form. Sign up > mailchi.mp/lcms/resources The "Mission Field: USA – Church Planting" podcast series, provided by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod's Office of National Mission, offers a theological background and best practices for launching new congregations and ministries within a Lutheran framework.

In this episode, Rev. Dr. Stephen Heimer, Pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in El Paso, Texas, and Mission Facilitator at Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steve Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore how mercy and outreach, both commanded by Jesus, work together to fulfill His mission. The Great Commission calls us to reach all people for Christ. The Great Commandmant calls us to love all people, especially the poor, in word and deed. About Rev. Stephen Heimer: Stephen Heimer is pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in El Paso, Texas, also teaching and leading worship each week at Iglesia de la Santa Biblia in Anapra, Mexico.  These congregations, working closely with Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care (YLM), provide help to people in need on both sides of the border. Stephen served on staff at YLM from 1996 to 2019 in areas of outreach, communications, and as Chief Operating Officer during a variety of natural, human, and economic disasters that affected the border region. Stephen is married to Krysia Heimer who has earned an MA in Christian Outreach from Concordia University St Paul. Both are founding members of Adelante Ministries and Mariachi San Pablo, sharing the Gospel and assisting congregations in evangelism and outreach throughout the United States and northern Mexico.  They are parents of five children ages 2 to 12.

In this episode, Rev. Dr. Lee Hagan, President of the Missouri District of the LCMS, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore how ministries take maximum benefit from strategic planning and how to learn from mistakes to move ministry forward. Rev. Dr. Lee Hagen About Rev. Dr. Lee Hagan: Rev. Dr. Lee Hagan currently serves as president of the Missouri District of the LCMS. Formerly, he served as senior pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Concordia, Missouri and as First Vice-President of the Missouri District. He is a 1992 graduate of Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska. He continued his studies at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, earning the Master of Divinity degree in 1996 and the Doctor of Ministry degree in 2011. He previously served as associate pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Evansville, Indiana from 1996-2002 before coming to Concordia. Most recently, he served as the interim director of LCMS Rural and Small Town Mission in 2011-2012. He has held served in a number of capacities at the district level including as Fourth Vice-President, Chairman of the Board for Congregational Services and member of the Board of Directors of the Missouri District and as a member of the Indiana District Youth Board and Youth Gathering Planning team. A frequent workshop presenter, Lee has spoken on topics such as youth and family ministry, witnessing and assimilation, as well as many issues related to rural and small-town ministry. He has written articles for Lutheran Witness and Reporter and served as an announcer for KFUO. He has led mission trips to the Bahamas, Guatemala, and in 2012 to Cambodia and China. He is married with two children. Lee enjoys reading, traveling, watching University of Kentucky basketball games, and spending time with his family.

In this episode, Rev. Dr. Mark A. Wood, director of LCMS Witness & Outreach Ministry and the LCMS Revitalization Initiative, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steve Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore sharing God's Word in a post-Christian culture. Reaching the lost is a challenge in any setting in our rapidly changing world with competing worldviews. About Rev. Dr. Mark Wood: The Rev. Dr. Mark A. Wood serves as the director of LCMS Witness & Outreach Ministry and the LCMS Revitalization Initiative. He is the creator of the Every One His Witness evangelism program and the re:Vitality revitalization program. Prior to joining the LCMS Office of National Mission in June 2014, he served as the founding pastor of Lamb of God Lutheran Church in Lithia, Fla., a daughter congregation of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Brandon, Fla., where he served as the evangelism pastor from 2000 to 2008. A second-career pastor, he served for six years on active duty service in the U.S. Air Force and then worked 14 years in the aerospace-defense industry, primarily in project management systems. A 2000 graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN, he also holds an associate's degree in computer programming, a bachelor's degree in business administration, and Doctor of Ministry degree with an emphasis in Church Planting and Renewal from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, FL. He is married to Mary Ellen, who works as a recruiter for a hospice and home health care personnel services agency. They have five adult children, six grandchildren, and three great-granddaughters.

In this episode, Rev. Dr. Robert Scudieri, President of Mission Nation Publishing, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steve Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore how the children and grandchildren of those won for Christ by missionaries sent from the US are now returning the favor. Right at the time when the church is being challenged the most, the Lord of the Church has sent us help from Asia, Latin America, Middle East and Africa! About Rev. Dr. Robert J. Scudieri: Pastor Bob Scudieri was born and raised in the New York City area where he attended public schools. Dr. Scudieri began studying for the holy ministry at Concordia College in Bronxville in September of 1962. After graduating from Bronxville with an Associate in Arts degree in 1964, he transferred to Concordia Senior College, Fort Wayne, Indiana. After graduating from Concordia, Fort Wayne in 1966 with a B.A. degree, he entered Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Upon his graduation from Concordia in 1971 (M.Div.), Pastor Scudieri shepherded the urban parish Redeemer Lutheran Church in Orange, New Jersey for four years before being called to Christ Memorial Lutheran Church in East Brunswick, New Jersey. During his tenure the parish grew from 600 to 1200 members. From 1984 to 1991, Dr. Scudieri served as the Mission and Stewardship Counselor for the English District LCMS, collaborating with congregations of the district to begin new missions and revitalize existing ones. In December of 1991 Scudieri was called to implement the Synod's Blueprint for the ‘90s, an effort to reach all ethnic groups in NA with the gospel, changing the face of the Missouri Synod. For the next eighteen years Scudieri headed new mission development, evangelism and church revitalization in North America for the LCMS, a position from which he retired from full time ministry on July 31, 2009. In retirement Pr. Scudieri continued to serve on several national boards, and, served Faith Lutheran Church as Mission Equipping Pastor from 2011 – 2014, when he left to pursue a dream of publishing biographies of missionaries. On January 6, 2016, Bob began his new mission called Mission Nation Publishing. The mission of Mission Nation Publishing is to strengthen the church in America by giving a voice to missionaries to America. Lutherans are the most homogenous ethnic group in America: 95% of Lutherans in America are White English speaking – but soon White English speaking people will be one of many minorities. We see the new missionaries to America as gifts God is giving to the church in America. Several books on mission have already been published, and thirty video interviews with missionaries are accessible on the Mission Nation Publishing website, MissionNationPublishing.com. The video interviews form the basis for a weekly blog that Bob writes and sends to over 2,000 people. A new initiative has begun to form a national network of churches that see America as a mission field – churches who see the future and are eager to reach an ethnic group different from their own. Dr. Scudieri and his wife Lynn love spending their time their time with two adult children and four beautiful grandchildren.

Three experts in the field of substance abuse, Rev. Dr. Dennis Goff— Director of Ministry Programs of The Lutheran Foundation in Fort Wayne, Indiana, along with Tom Allman— Vice President of Addiction Services with Park Center (An Affiliate of Parkview Health) in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Rachel Blakeman— Community Research Institute Director for Purdue University in Fort Wayne, Indiana, join hosts Rev. Dr. Steve Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore resources and insights on the often lethal epidemic of substance abuse in our country, and how the church can bring hope and life. About Rev. Dr. Dennis Goff: Since 2016, Goff has been the Director of Ministry Programs for The Lutheran Foundation in Fort Wayne, IN.  He comes to the position after nearly 30 years as a parish pastor in the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS) serving congregations in Louisiana, Florida and Minnesota.  He also worked for Capital Funding Services of the Lutheran Church Extension Fund.    A graduate of Concordia College, Ann Arbor MI and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis MO., Goff also holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis MO in homiletics with an emphasis on Biblical Storytelling. He has been a regular instructor with Concordia Seminary, St. Louis's Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) program.  Currently, Goff is also called as Assistant Pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne. The work of The Lutheran Foundation in Fort Wayne is focused on grant funding for the Lutheran community and being a community advocate for mental and behavioral health and wellness.  Part of that work is being carried out by the creation of a website by The Lutheran Foundation called Look Up Indiana.  This website is a “one stop shop” for all things related to mental and behavioral health throughout the state of Indiana.  Additionally, The Lutheran Foundation is bringing the message of mental health education to the faith community through a series of conferences, workshops and training events.  Goff initiated the first area wide church and mental health conference called Speak Up in the fall of 2017.  The second Speak Up Conference is scheduled again in Fort Wayne on October 7, 2019.  Goff believes that if national statistics indicate that one in four in the population (25%) of people are living with a mental health concern, that also means one in four in our churches.  It's time for the church to “speak up” about mental wellness and reduce the stigma around mental illness.    

In this episode, Rev. Yared Halche, Facilitator for Mission Engagement with the Northern Region of the Southeastern District of the LCMS, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steve Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore the unique opportunities and challenges to begin churches among the various ethnic groups in our country today. About Rev. Yared Halche: Rev. Yared Halche was born and grew up in Ethiopia. He studied theology in Ethiopia, Norway and the United States. He earned his PhD in missiology from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN, in 2009. Yared is married to Bethel and the Lord has blessed them with two children. Yared started serving in the Lutheran Church of Ethiopia as a youth leader during the difficult communist era. His professional career started as a seminary teacher in south Ethiopia and continued as a missionary and mission developer in the United States. He served as a mission developer in Las Vegas, NV and regional director for African Immigrants Ministry in the West coast. He pastored a congregation in Indiana that has members from 17 different countries. He currently serves as a Facilitator for Interethnic Mission in the Southeastern District of the LCMS.

In this episode, Rev. Tim Droegemueller, Senior Pastor of Living Faith Lutheran Church in Cumming, Georgia, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steve Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore how to harness the power of catechesis and assimilation in the discipleship process. About Pastor Tim Droegemueller is a sinner who was given new life through the power of God's Word and Spirit in Holy Baptism. His only desire is to preach Christ and Him crucified to all, faithfully teach the Word of God, and to see people brought into full fellowship with our loving God through Jesus and His gifts of grace. He and his wife, Susan, have six children: Jacob, Luke, Isaac, Elijah, Matthew, and Anna. Along with pastors and laypeople in the North Georgia area, he works with the Kairos Network to start new churches. The Kairos Network is a church planting network from the confessional Lutheran perspective. He also serves on the Board of National Mission for our Synod and the mission advisory Council of the Florida Georgia District.

In this episode, Rev. Geoff Robinson, Executive Counselor for Outreach with the LCMS Indiana District, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steve Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore the importance of using models of church planting that are not only sustainable but can be replicated to allow for the multiplication of many more. About Rev. Geoffrey L. Robinson: Rev. Geoffrey L. Robinson has served as the Executive Counselor for Outreach for the Indiana District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod since August 1, 2007. His areas of service are: Mission development, Evangelism, Parish Revitalization, Senior Adult Ministry, Parish Nurses, and Lutheran Early Response Teams. He is also the Indiana District Outreach Counselor for the LWML. Rev. Geoffrey L. Robinson served 25 years in the parish ministry prior to receiving and accepting the call to become the Executive for Outreach for the Indiana District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Rev. Robinson also has served in various synodical and district positions. He has served as circuit counselor of the Hutchinson Circuit in Kansas, Secretary of the Central Illinois District, Assistant Secretary of the Central Illinois District, Rural Ministry committee chairman of the Central Illinois District, Stewardship Commission chairman of the Central Illinois District, Mission Commission Chairman of the Central Illinois District, Finance and Management Commission Chairman of the Central Illinois District, Congregational Life commission member for the Central Illinois District, and he served as a member of the floor committee on Missions for the 2004 syndical convention. Rev. Robinson is married to Teresa (nee St. Onge) Robinson. They have been blessed with four children, two son-in-laws, one daughter-in-law and twelve grandchildren.

There is a great debate in the church today: “What is the mission of the church?” This podcast discusses how to resolve the confusion between “getting the message right,” and “getting the message out” by focusing on the historic, credal confessions of the church which center on the Gospel, and which steadies the church for faithful witness, particularly amid the daily vocations of everyday life. In this episode, Rev. Dr. Lucas Woodford, President of the Minnesota South District of the LCMS, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steve Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore the mission of the church. About Rev. Dr. Lucas Woodford: Rev. Dr. Lucas Woodford is president of the Minnesota South District, LCMS. He is a graduate of Concordia University, St. Paul (1998) and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (M.Div. 2002 and S.T.M. 2003). He has 15 years of parish ministry experience in Wisconsin and Minnesota. He holds a D.Min. in Christian outreach from Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne (2011). His project dissertation was published as Great Commission, Great Confusion, or Great Confession?: The Mission of the Holy Christian Church (Wipf & Stock, 2012) available on Amazon. Pres. Woodford has been published in The Lutheran Witness, LOGIA, and Seelsorger. He recently coauthored Church Leadership & Strategy: For the Care of Souls (Lexham Press, 2019) available on Amazon. Pres. Woodford serves as a fellow with DOXOLOGY. Pres. Woodford and his wife, Rebecca, are parents to Isabella (2003), Thaddeus (2007), Aletheia (2009), Ekklacia (“Klaci”, 2011), Soteria (2014), and Titus (2017). He enjoys reading, writing, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family.

In this episode, Rev. William Weedon, Director of Worship for the LCMS and International Center Chaplain, joins host Rev. Dr. Steve Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, to explore the unique perspective and advantage of our church to advance the mission of Christ through the sacraments while church planting. About Rev. William Weedon: William Chancellor Weedon has served as the Director of Worship for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and Chaplain of the Synod's International Center in St. Louis since 2012. He is author of the books Celebrating the Saints (CPH, 2016), Thank, Praise, Serve and Obey (CPH, 2017) and a new children's book See My Savior's Hands (CPH, fall of 2018). He and his wife, Cindi, stay busy trying to keep up with their eight beautiful grandchildren.

In this episode, Rev. John Fiene, pastor and church planter, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steve Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore the theological, organizational and practical questions about the important qualities and skills related to church planting. About Rev. John Fiene: Rev. Dr. John Fiene has been a Church Planter of Grace Lutheran Church in Sandy City, Utah, and later, Advent Lutheran Church, Zionsville, Indiana. Both congregations, subsequent to their own founding, initiated successful new mission congregations. Pastor Fiene has served as Vice-President of the Indiana District of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Rocky Mountain District. He has taught on the subject of mission planting as an adjunct professor at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Indiana as well as various pastors' conferences. (And yes, Pastor Fiene the Elder is the father of Pastor Hans Fiene the Younger, who is the author of Lutheran Satire.)

In this episode, Rev. Todd Kollbaum, director of Rural and Small Town Mission for the LCMS Office of National Mission, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steve Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore the differences and similarities between urban and rural church planting and what urban and rural cousins can learn from each other to strengthen the impact of their ministries. About Rev. Todd Kollbaum: Pastor Todd Kollbaum was installed as Director of LCMS Rural & Small Town Mission on April 1, 2013. Prior to that call, he served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cole Camp, MO since August of 2004. Pastor Kollbaum is a 2004 graduate of Concordia Seminary St. Louis, MO and a 1990 graduate of Dana College in Blair, NE and is currently working on his PhD in Missiology at Concordia Theological Seminary Ft. Wayne. Pastor has been happily married to Angela Kollbaum for nearly 29 years. They are blessed with five children, three of whom are now married. Zachary (Clarissa), Jordan (Stephanie) and Emily (Dylan), Ryan (a sophomore at Concordia University Nebraska) and Abigail (an eighth grader at St. Paul's Lutheran School in Concordia, MO) The Kollbaums currently reside in Concordia, MO.

In this episode, Rev. Larry Vogel, Associate Executive Director of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR), joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steve Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore how the current demographics in the United States today are profoundly affecting the church and the implementation of its mission. About Rev. Larry Vogel: Rev. Larry Vogel is the Associate Executive Director of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR). He has served in the public ministry of the LCMS for 35 years: as a worker-priest teacher on the Rosebud Lakota Sioux Reservation; as a missionary/pastor in Queens (NYC) and part-time chaplain at St. Albans VA Hospital (now VA Community Living Center); as pastor of Martin Luther Chapel and School, Pennsauken, NJ; and, since 2009, on the staff of the CTCR. His responsibilities include writing, editing, speaking about, and contributing to the LCMS position on various theological questions and societal issues, and representing the Synod in discussions with other church bodies. He is also involved in training church workers to deal with issues of domestic violence in their congregations and communities. Larry and his wife Betsy have three married children and eight grandchildren.

In this episode, Rev. Dr. Detlev Schulz, Professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steve Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to introduce the definition and explore the purpose of missiology as the biblical foundation for the formation of new churches today. About Rev. Dr. Detlev Schulz: Dr. Schulz joined the Concordia Theological Seminary (CTSFW), Fort Wayne, faculty in the fall of 1998. He serves as professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions, dean of Graduate Studies and director of the Ph.D. in Missiology Program. In 1984, Schulz earned his B.A. degree at the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. In 1988, he successfully completed his M.Div. studies at the Lutherische Theologische Hochschule in Oberursel, Germany. In 1990, he earned his S.T.M. degree at CTSFW. He then served in the Independent Evangelical–Lutheran Church in Germany (SELK) as vicar in Heidelberg, Germany, from 1990–1992. In 1994, he concluded his studies at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, by earning a Th.D. in Systematics. From 1994–1998, Dr. Schulz was a missionary in Serowe, Botswana, for the Lutheran Church Mission of the SELK.

Rev. Tim Droegemueller, Senior Pastor of Living Faith Lutheran Church in Cumming, Georgia, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steve Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore how the three-fold emphasis of the Synod, “Witness, Mercy, Life Together,” integrates biblical concepts into the DNA of future church plants. About Rev. Tim Droegemueller: Pastor Tim Droegemueller is a sinner who was given new life through the power of God's Word and Spirit in Holy Baptism. His only desire is to preach Christ and Him crucified to all, faithfully teach the Word of God, and to see people brought into full fellowship with our loving God through Jesus and His gifts of grace. He and his wife, Susan, have six children: Jacob, Luke, Isaac, Elijah, Matthew, and Anna. Along with pastors and laypeople in the North Georgia area, he works with the Kairos Network to start new churches. The Kairos Network is a church planting network from the confessional Lutheran perspective. He also serves on the Board of National Mission for our Synod and the mission advisory Council of the Florida Georgia District. Sign up to receive email notifications of new podcast releases and other church-planting ministry news. Registration only requires your email address, name and zip code. Check the “Church Planting” option on the form. Sign up > mailchi.mp/lcms/resources

In this inaugural episode, Rev. Dr. Detlev Schulz, Associate Professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, joins hosts Rev. Dr. Steve Schave, Director of LCMS Church Planting, and Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Manager of Church Planting in the Mission Field: USA initiative, to explore how our doctrinal understanding of the church (ecclesiology) informs the very purpose and practical strategies for mission in our world today. Based on biblical promise, hear how God has sent His church on its mission with power and authority and why church planting remains a central activity of the church today. About Rev. Dr. Detlev Schulz: Dr. Schulz joined the Concordia Theological Seminary (CTSFW), Fort Wayne, faculty in the fall of 1998. He serves as professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions, dean of Graduate Studies and director of the Ph.D. in Missiology Program. In 1984, Schulz earned his B.A. degree at the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. In 1988, he successfully completed his M.Div. studies at the Lutherische Theologische Hochschule in Oberursel, Germany. In 1990, he earned his S.T.M. degree at CTSFW. He then served in the Independent Evangelical–Lutheran Church in Germany (SELK) as vicar in Heidelberg, Germany, from 1990–1992. In 1994, he concluded his studies at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, by earning a Th.D. in Systematics. From 1994–1998, Dr. Schulz was a missionary in Serowe, Botswana, for the Lutheran Church Mission of the SELK.