“Orbiting Christ” Conference Schedule

Orbiting Christ: Belonging, Believing, Behaving

A Free Online Conference on Adult Faith Formation

June 1 – 3, 2021

Please note: All times are CDT.

This conference is made possible at no cost through a Vital Worship Grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Grand Rapids, Michigan, with funds provided by Lilly Endowment Inc.

Tuesday, June 1        |           Belonging through Community and Liturgy 

1:00 – 2:15 pm            Orbiting Christ: Formation through liturgy and community

The presentation by pastoral leaders Rev. Drs. Scott Bruzek (St. John’s, Wheaton, IL) and Dien Ashley Taylor (Redeemer, The Bronx) will unwrap Article VII of the Augsburg Confession in which the Church is both the visible expression of Christian community and the vehicle fostering a sense of belonging for those journeying to discipleship. Without the liturgy as the place where the Word is preached and sacraments administered, there can be no community in Christ. In baptism one is joined to Christ and the Church and in Holy Communion one becomes what one eats—the very body and blood of Christ. The session will conclude with Q & A time for the participants.

2:15 – 2:45 pm            Break

2:45 – 5:00 pm            Breakout Sessions on community and liturgy

   There will two hour-long breakout sessions on practical topics with a 15 minute break in between each.

5:00 – 5:15 pm            Closing Prayer

Wednesday, June 2   |           Believing through Teaching and Preaching

9:45 am – 10:45 am    Faith that comes through hearing: Teaching and Preaching Christ

The presentation by pastoral leaders Rev. Timothy Droegemueller (Living Faith, Cumming, GA) and Daniel Eggold (Grace, West Lafayette, IN) will explore the distinctive tasks of proclaiming Christ as Savior and Lord (kerygma) and teaching about Christ. The leaders will also delve into the distinction of personal faith (fides qua) and the core content of believing (fides quae) and how the distinction impacts the catechumenate. The session will include time for Q & A with participants.

10:45 a.m. – Noon      Brunch Break

12:00 – 2:30 pm          Breakout sessions on teaching and preaching

   There will two hour-long breakout sessions on practical topics with a 15 minute break in between each.

2:15 – 2:30 pm            Closing Prayer

Thursday, June 3      |          Behaving through Witness and Service

10:00 – 11:00 pm        Called into Christ’s Orbit: Formed for Witness and Service

The presentation by diaconal leaders Deaconess Raquel Rojas and Dcs. Dr. Rhoda Schuler will draw the participants into the daily practice of Christian life for laity. Using biblical themes and texts, the leaders will illustrate how witness and service can function in today’s post-Christian culture to attract the seeker and form the new disciple. The session will conclude with a Q & A time for the participants.

11:00 – 12:00 pm        Brunch Break

12:00 – 2:15 pm          Breakout Sessions on witness and service

  There will two hour-long breakout sessions on practical topics with a 15 minute break in between each.

2:15 – 2:45 pm            Wrap up and Closing Prayer

Topics and Leaders for Breakout Sessions

Tuesday’s Breakout Sessions on community and liturgy

• Implementation timing and strategy: When and how to start an adult catechumenate process (Rev. John Bussman, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Cullman, AL)
• Graceful and beautiful liturgy: A practical guide (Rev. James Wetzstein, Valparaiso University Pastor)
• Hospitality as the on-ramp to community (Rev. Dr. Scott Bruzek, St. John’s Wheaton, IL)
• TBA

Wednesday’s Breakout Sessions on preaching and teaching

• Developing a Learning-Centered Approach to Adult Education (Dr. Heath Lewis, DCE, Concordia University, St. Paul, MN)
• Preaching and the catechumenate: An integrated approach (Rev. Dr. Dien Ashley Taylor, Redeemer, The Bronx)
• The one-year lectionary: A guide for the catechumenate (Rev. Timothy Droegemueller, Living Faith, Cumming, GA)
• The Gospels, the three-year lectionary, and the catechumenate (TBA)

Thursday’s Breakout Sessions on witness and service

• Lay involvement in the adult faith formation process: A panel discussion (Lay members of St. John’s, Wheaton & Living Faith, )
• Shifting from a membership to a discipleship mindset (Rev. Dr. Kent Burreson, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis)
• The role of sponsors in adult faith formation (Deaconess Raquel Rojas, Redeemer, The Bronx)