Post-Christian America: How did we get here? How do we respond?

Missouri District Pastors’ Conference
October 20-22, 2024

Margaritaville Lake Resort – Osage Beach

The 2024 Missouri District Pastors' Conference will focus on the sweeping cultural shifts that have taken place and the Church’s response.  The conference will help us to understand the changes that have taken place in our culture, while holding fast the truth of God’s Word.  Our plenary speakers will be Dr. Russell Dawn, president of Concordia University Chicago and Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann, professor at Concordia Seminary.  Dr. Dawn will focus on how the changes in our culture and what contributed to those changes, while Dr. Biermann will focus on the Church’s response.  We hope you are able to join us for this time together!

Scroll below for more information. Click the button below to register. Registration closes October 4.

General Information

  • The Pastors’ Conference begins on Sunday, October 20th with Divine Service at Christ the King – Lake Ozark (1700 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Lake Ozark, MO 65049). There is no evening program after the service.
  • The conference programs will begin on Monday morning, October 21st and conclude shortly after noon on Tuesday, October 22nd.
  • Registration will be open in the hotel lobby on Sunday afternoon from 4:00-6:00 p.m., Sunday evening from 8:00-9:30 p.m., and Monday morning from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
  • Exhibits will be open from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 21st and 8:00-10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 22nd.

Sectional Guide

The Sectional Guide for the 2024 Pastors' Conference is now available.  Click here to read/download it.

Registration

Registration is now open.  Click the button above to complete registration.  The registration fee covers program, Monday lunch, refreshments on Monday evening and coffee & tea during conference breaks.

  • All participants: $ 145.00
  • Emeritus, Vicars, and Guests: $65.00

The deadline to register for the conference is October 4, 2024.  If paying by check, all fees must be paid in full prior to the conference.

Housing is not included in the conference registration fee.  Rooms at a discounted price are available below – see “Lodging Information”.

Cancellations

A full refund of the registration will be given if cancelled prior to October 4, 2024.   After the deadline, no refunds will be given, as final numbers will have been given to the hotel.  No Shows will still be responsible for paying their registration fees.

Lodging Information

Housing is not included in the conference registration.  A block of rooms has been reserved at Margaritaville Lake Resort (formerly Tan-Tar-A) in Osage Beach at a discounted rate starting at $144.00 per night (plus tax).  There are a limited number of suites also available.  One bedroom ($244.00) and two bedroom suites ($344.00), plus tax.

Hotel reservation deadline:  Friday, September 20, 2024, or until the room block is full.

CLICK HERE to make hotel room reservations

Reservations can also be made by phone: 800-826-8272, with group code: MODLCMS.

When checking in at the hotel, remember to bring your tax exempt letter and pay either with a church credit card or church check, to avoid the state sales tax.   Personal credit cards will not receive this exemption.  Local taxes still apply. Reservations are from 4:00 p.m. the day of arrival until 11:00 a.m. the day of departure.

Excused Absences

Participation is strongly encouraged at this conference.  If you cannot attend, please submit a request for an excused absence.  Excused Absences may be emailed to: events@mo.lcms.org or by mail:

Missouri District Pastors’ Conference
Attn.: Sue Thompson
660 Mason Ridge Center Drive, Suite 100
St. Louis, MO  63141-8557

About the Speakers

Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann
The Waldemar A. and June Schuette Professor of Systematic Theology
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

A Concordia Seminary, St. Louis faculty member since 2002, Dr. Biermann teaches doctrinal theology with a special interest and emphasis centered on ethics and the correct role of the Law in the life of the believer.  Outside of his Seminary responsibilities, he serves as a frequent speaker at various gatherings of the church at many levels and has helped produce material for congregational small group Bible studies.  He has authored four books: Courageous Fathers of the Bible, A Case for Character, Wholly Citizens, and Day 7.  Dr. Biermann and his wife, Jeannalee, have three adult children: Jasmine, Justine, and Jess; and eleven grandchildren.

Dr. Russell Dawn
President
Concordia University, Chicago

Dr. Dawn is the 12th president of Concordia University Chicago. He holds three degrees from Oxford University, including a doctorate in historical theology. He also holds advanced degrees in law and business from the University of Colorado. An award-winning historian of Lutheran higher education, he has taught in History, Political Thought, Theology, and Religious Studies. Prior to his academic career, he practiced corporate law in Denver, Colorado. He and his family are members of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Forest Park, Illinois. He is devoted to his wife and two daughters, dotes on his three small dogs, and is dedicated to swimming, sarcasm, and the Oxford comma.

Schedule

Click Here for Printable Schedule
Click Here for the Sectional Guide

Sunday, October 20

4-6:00 p.m.   Registration  Margaritaville Lake Resort Lobby
7:00                Divine Service  Christ the King Lutheran Church, Lake Ozark
                        Preacher: Rev. Dr. Lee Hagan
8:00-9:30     Registration  Margaritaville Lake Resort Lobby

Monday, October 21
7:00 a.m.         Morning Walk/Run (Optional)  Meet outside of lobby.
8:00-9:00         Registration
8:00-5:00         Exhibitor area open all day
8:30                 Welcome & Announcements  Paradise C
                          (all main sessions are in Paradise C)
9:00-9:30         Opening Devotion: Rev. Erik Rottmann
9:30-10:15       Plenary 1: Dr. Russell Dawn
10:30-11:15     Plenary 2: Dr. Russell Dawn
11:15-11:30     Greetings
11:30-12:45     Lunch (provided)  Windgate Hall  Exhibits Open
12:45-1:30       Plenary 3: Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann
1:45-2:30         Plenary 4: Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann
2:30-3:00        Panel Discussion: Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann & Dr. Russell Dawn
3:00-3:30         President’s Report
3:30-5:30         Happy Hour! Gemutlichkeit!  Windgate Plaza    

 

Tuesday, October 22

7:00 a.m.          Morning Run/Walk (Optional)  Meet outside of lobby.
8:00-10:30      Exhibit area open
8:00-8:25        Opening Devotion: Rev. Wade Mattsfield  Paradise C
8:25-8:40        Conference Business
8:45-9:30        Sectional A
9:45-10:30      Sectional B
10:45-11:30     Sectional C
11:30                Closing Devotion: Rev. Dr. Gregory Truwe  Paradise C 

Questions?

Contact Sue Thompson
314-590-6200
sue.thompson@mo.lcms.org