Councils As Leaders 2026

Who: This event is open to council members, church staff, lay leaders, and rostered ministers.
When: Saturday, March 14, 2026
Time: 9 AM to 3:30 PM
Where: St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin
Cost: $20 per person (non-refundable) 
Registration deadline: March 2

Councils as Leaders equips and empowers the people of the synod with practical tools and collegial connections to support them as they participate in God’s mission within their congregations and communities. This event is open to council members, church staff, lay leaders, and rostered ministers.

Invite Your Congregation

Consider sharing this opportunity with your leaders! Use the Printable bulletin insert or  Promotional video (watch or download).

Agenda

9-9:30 AM: Coffee and fellowship
9:30-10 AM: Bishop's Welcome
10:10-11:10 AM: Workshop Session One
11:10-11:30: Break and Resource Fair
11:30 AM-12:30 PM: Workshop Session Two
12:30-1:30 PM: Lunch & Resource Fair
1:30-2:30 PM: Affinity Groups
2:40-3:10 PM: Congregation Recap Time
3:10-3:30 PM: Closing Commissioning

Workshops

Bringing the ELCA Social Statement on Civic Life and Faith to your Congregation

Facilitator: Dr. Stewart Herman
Sessions One and Two

The ELCA Churchwide Assembly 2025 has adopted a social statement on faith and civic life, the relationship of religious organizations and political authority, and related matters. Social statements are the ELCA’s primary documents to address significant social issues. They are intended to aid reflection, shape conscience and set forth the ELCA’s teaching and policy on the major social issues and questions of contemporary life. Join Dr. Stuart Herman to learn about this social statement and how you might engage with it in your congregation for meaningful dialogue about this topic.

Conversation with Council Presidents

Facilitators: three current and former Presidents: Chris Cordes (First, Kenyon); Lisa Queen (Our Savior’s, Owatonna); Karen Kleinwort (Faith, Dodge Center); Brian Ehlert (Good Shepherd, Wells); Kathy Chatelaine, facilitator
Session One

Church council leaders serve with faithfulness, creativity and courage. The role of president can be particularly challenging – and rewarding! Led by current and past council presidents, this workshop will provide you with an overview of best practices for presidents. Come to learn and share ideas!

Disability & Ministry

Facilitator: Deacon Amanda Sabelko
Session One

Ministry with people living with disabilities is essential work, but too often treated as optional. 1 in 4 people experience a disability at any given moment, and almost everyone will experience disability during their lifetime. In this workshop, you learn about the importance of this work and leave with practical action steps for your context. 

Reaching the Goldfish

Facilitator:  Ashley Corbett
Session One

In case you didn’t know, the attention span of a goldfish is 9 seconds. The average human attention span is shorter. (And getting shorter.) What this means for ministry leaders trying to get messages to people is that it is really hard. (And getting harder.) We will look at what we know about human nature, learn how to identify our audiences, and explore different ways to share effectively. While you won’t walk away with all the answers, the intention is that you will have new ideas and strategies to reach your goldfish… I mean people.

Vibrant Communication Through Stories

Facilitator: Rev. Dr. Scott Olson
Session Two

Help your communications come alive through the power of story. This workshop will demonstrate how congregational communications can have a greater impact when we share ways God has shown up on our lives. We believe that God continues to work in, with, and through us to accomplish God's mission to love and bless the world. The stories must be told. See how temple talks, newsletters, annual reports, and even ministry spending plans (aka: budgets) communicate God's powerful presence. 

Providing a Quality Call for Rostered Ministers

Facilitators: Rev. Cole McCormick, Rev. Lisa Meshke, and Rev. Alison Bondy
Session Two

This workshop will give you statistics, background, and strategies to help your congregations provide a quality call for your rostered minister(s) and insight into allyship.

Discerning Your Congregation's Call: How a Clear Mission, Vision, and Values Help Shape Faith Communities

Facilitators: Rev. Todd Buegler and Rev. Tim Bowman
Session Two

Vital, dynamic, and mission-focused congregations are clear about both their "why" and their "how." In our time together, we will reflect on practices that help leaders hear where God may be calling their congregation now and into the future. Then, we will focus on how to live out that vision in everyday ministry through a thoughtful and integrated strategic planning process.

We will explore practical ways to align mission, vision, and values with decision-making, ministry priorities, and community engagement so they become more than words on a page.

This workshop is designed to be both reflective and practical, offering tools and perspectives that help congregations lead with purpose, remain rooted in their identity, and serve their communities with clarity, collaboration, and hope.

Taking Excellent Care: Faithful Finances for Courageous Councils

Facilitator: Rev. Emily Carson
Session One

A steward is one who takes excellent care of what has been entrusted to them. In this workshop, council leaders and treasurers (and any interested pastors, deacons and lay leaders) will explore financial best practices and stewardship strategies. Participants will gain tools, language, and confidence to lead congregational financial ministries with integrity, transparency, and hope - ensuring that resources are aligned with ministry, mission and values.

Reimagining Youth Ministry

Facilitators: Rev. Sam Mailleue and Rev. Brittany Mailleue

This will be a conversation that engages in an authentic approach to meet our youth where they are in ways that they function in the world. The demands on our youth are high, so we must reimagine how we, as the church, can support them in a fast-paced, over-scheduled life. How can we help them reclaim sabbath?