St. John and Concordia host national worship conference

Concordia University, Nebraska and St. John Lutheran Church, both in Seward, Neb., hosted a national worship conference for The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod from July 27-29. The conference welcomed pastors, musicians and laypeople interested in the field of worship and church music.   

Presenters includd Dr. Carlos Messerli, Paul Bouman and LCMS President Rev. Matthew C. Harrison, along with faculty members at Concordia Nebraska, those from other LCMS congregations and schools, and from Concordia Publishing House. 

The conference schedule included daily worship, four plenary events, three in-depth seminars during which attendees will learn about a single topic they select, five breakout sessions on a variety of topics, and time for fellowship and visiting vendor displays.

The conference was similar to the former LCMS Commission on Worship's Institutes on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music held in recent years, according to a statement on the "Worship" page of the LCMS website (link).

The statement explains that plans were laid aside for a commission-sponsored institute this summer, "in light of Synod restructuring, including the elimination of the commission and significant personnel changes at the [LCMS] International Center."  It also expresses "our deep desire that by working with the Synod's agencies, schools and seminaries, we will be able to revitalize this event" within the next three years. 

See also:  Further information available at www.seward2011.org.