National conference on special ministries
Filed Under: , conference, CSM, Special Ministries
For the first time in eight years, the Commission on Special Ministries is hosting a national conference on special ministries, which will be held in Milwaukee, Wis., Oct. 3-5. WELS members from across the United States can attend presentations, ministry huddles, and panel discussions to learn practical and effective ways to serve people with special needs.
"It's not just for called workers or those with special needs, it's for everyone," says Rev. Carl Ziemer, administrator of Special Ministries. "Every individual in every congregation has opportunities within their extended family or in their community to demonstrate Christian love by assisting someone with special needs. We hope this conference will inspire, encourage, and enable people to do ministry in their own congregations."
Presentations will focus on health and wellness, special education, mental health care, prison ministry, called worker care, military services, and ministry to the visually impaired and deaf and hard of hearing. "We learned from the conference in 2000 that there is benefit in presenting on all areas of Special Ministries," says Ziemer. "By having the wide range of offerings, people will learn about other disabilities and rub shoulders with people who have different struggles. Oftentimes they'll see that their congregation has people with several other special needs."
In 2000, approximately 150 people attended; Ziemer hopes more will participate in this year's conference, especially since it has not been determined when another national conference can be held. "People have opportunity, in one weekend, to be exposed to the many areas of ministry," says Ziemer. "Congregational life is ever-changing, and we need to continually reevaluate, reassess, and refocus our ministries to be relevant. We don't want to miss opportunities to demonstrate Christian love and gain that audience for the gospel."
For more information, or to register online, visit www.wels.net/jump/smconference
