Coram Deo in Atlanta, GA

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Available Sectionals:

A Quick Review of the Old Testament

Rev. Peter Kolb
Journey through the Old Testament coram Deo style. Remember all those Old Testament stories you learned in Sunday School and confirmation classes? We will put them in order so that you have a better understanding of the Old Testament. This will be a great opportunity to see how those in the Old Testament lived before God (coram Deo), and how we live before God today. Pastor Kolb serves Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Vandalia, IL.

Adam to God: “Is Eve Lutheran?”

Rev. James Woelmer
Adam had no choice. Eve was the only one. Should you only marry a Lutheran? What if your “significant other” is a Methodist, a Baptist, or Roman Catholic? What if they are Mormon or Muslim? We will look at the blessings of having a common faith and confession when it comes to marriage, and the challenges of an inter-faith marriage. Pastor Woelmer serves Faith Lutheran Church in Plano, TX.

Alcohol & Drugs—The True Cost to Abusers and their Families

Rev. Ron Rock
Often the insidiousness and human devastation caused by substance abuse completely escapes us. This breakaway session will be led by a pastor who has had a family member fall into the world of addiction and from which recovery proved to be very difficult. The presentation will cover not only the “life” of the abuser but also the “life” of the family and those others who love the abuser and continually hope and pray for the abuser’s recovery. Learn how the Gospel proves to be the source of strength and hope for all—abusers and their loved ones. Pastor Rock serves Zion Lutheran Church in Beecher, IL.

Before God in the Liturgy

Mr. Jonathan Kohlmeier
In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—that’s how we stand before God in the Divine Service. Come find out how we are “Coram Deo” in the church’s worship, whether we are standing, sitting, or kneeling. We’ll walk through the liturgy and order of service and see how in each part, we stand before God in Christ Jesus. Jonathan Kohlmeier is a member of Mount Zion Lutheran Church in Greenfield, WI and is the Assistant Webmaster for Higher Things. 

Breaking Hearts—Healing Hearts: The Christian and Suicide

Rev. Ken Lueke
Suicide causes grief and pain, not only to our families and friends, but to God, as well. Can a true Christian commit suicide? Can a person who commits suicide go to heaven? What comfort can we receive to resist the temptation to end our own lives, or the grief we deal with because of it? These are some of the things we will discuss and, from God's Word anchored in the Gospel, find our strength and hope. Pastor Lueke serves Our Savior Lutheran Church in Bad Axe, MI.

Bridezilla or The Bride of Christ

Rev. David Speers
We live in a world in which we are encouraged to make a life for ourselves.  This attitude contradicts the life that God wants us to have in Christ. As His bride, He is intent on making of us something beautiful (cf Eph 5). We are tempted and sometimes fall into monstrous, embarrassing behaviors, and yet, Christ calls us to be His bride! Pastor Speers serves St. Paul Lutheran Church in Altamont, IL.

C.S. Lewis and Narnia: Imagination in Service of the Gospel

Rev. Eric Skovgaard
Jesus commands us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. What does it mean to love the Lord with our mind? C.S. Lewis was convinced that stories were an effective vehicle—like a Trojan horse—for getting Biblical truth behind the walls we erect to keep God out of our lives. We will explore how Lewis used his God-given imagination in service of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. How can we use our minds and imaginations before the face of God. Pastor Skovgaard serves Elm Grove Lutheran Church in Elm Grove, WI.

CHRIST ON CAMPUS: Campus Ministry – Just Add Water (adults)

Christ on Campus Team
Have a college near you? Would you like to learn how to begin a campus ministry outreach at a local college on a shoestring budget? Get some help getting started from those who do it full time. This sectional is designed to be tailored to your specific campus situation and provide practical help and support.

CHRIST ON CAMPUS: College Survival 101

Rev. Marcus Zill
Life in college can be both terribly exciting and extremely frightening all at once. This sectional is designed to help you better understand the undercurrents of today’s college context, develop a framework to handle the many challenging things you will face, and give you some helpful hints as to how to choose a college and remain connected to the life of the Church during your college years. Pastor Zill serves St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church & Campus Center in Laramie, WY and is the Christ on Campus Executive for Higher Things.

Dating, Relationships, and THAT

Rev. George Borghardt
Young love. The butterflies. The long conversations in text and on the phone. Holding hands. Cooties. And then, there’s THAT—you know—that thing that God wants only in marriage. How do you know he’s the one for you? How do you know she is? What’s the Bible say? This sectional will take a look at dating, relationships, and THAT too. Pastor Borghardt serves Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in McHenry, IL and is the Conference and Deputy Executive of Higher Things.

Divine Inception

Rev. Rich Heinz
With the blessed repetition of His Gifts, the Lord plants His Word in your hearts and minds. No need for a technological device to enter into your dreams; He is able to call, gather, enlighten, and sanctify you through His holy liturgy. The results of His gifts then carry over into your entire life. Explore connections from the hit movie, Inception, to open discussions with others about God’s reality, which is very different from the world. (And don’t forget your “totem” of Christ crucified and risen, given to you at Baptism!) Pastor Heinz serves St. John’s Lutheran Church in Chicago, IL and is the Coram Deo Worship Coordinator.

Feminist, Fundamentalist, Or...?

Ms. Sandra Ostapowich
Submit, obey, be quiet. Don’t cut your hair. Don’t wear makeup. Don’t wear jewelry. Cover up. There are a lot of instructions for women in the Bible, and we really don’t like most, if not all, of them. If we rebel against them, we’re feminists. If we follow them blindly, we’re fundamentalists. So what’s the Lutheran perspective on these passages? Bring your Bibles and your questions to this frank discussion of all those verses we love to hate. Sandra Ostapowich is a member of University Lutheran Chapel in Minneapolis, MN and is the Conference Coordinator for Higher Things.

God's Fingerprints on Creation

Rev. Charles St-Onge
If God made the universe, did He leave his fingerprints behind? Can we tell that an awesome and all-powerful (yet merciful) God created all things—including us? Have our scientific studies, from theoretical physics to molecular biology, revealed that we live in the presence of a holy God? Delve into the deepest realms of existence to see if the heavens truly do declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1), and what that means for us in our daily lives. Pastor St-Onge serves Memorial Lutheran Church Houston, TX.

Heresies through History

Rev. David Kind
Arius, Simon Magus, Pelagius, Montanus, Cerinthus—all men who will never have the title "Saint" attached to their names. These are the heretics; the men whose teachings threatened to destroy Christianity, and ruined the faith of thousands. And their teachings are still alive today. Take a whirlwind tour of four centuries of heresy in the Church and, along the way, discover what tools the Church uses to deal with false teaching, how God used heresy to clarify the Church's teachings, and how to avoid heresy today. Pastor Kind serves University Lutheran Chapel in Minneapolis, MN and is a member of the Higher Things Board of Directors.

Hymns of the Church

Mr. Mark Bender
The hymnody of the Church is a rich treasury of collective prayer and praise, encouragement and exhortation in response to saving work of the Triune God in Jesus Christ, communicated to us through Word and Sacrament. Most hymns are poetic in nature. The economy of verse requires precise packaging of text within this structure. Several hymns, including “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”, will be presented, and the rich imagery and doctrine they contain will be unpacked. Mark Bender is the Organist for Coram Deo—Atlanta

Law, Gospel, and Homosexuality

Rev. Ted Crandall
Some Christians hatefully respond to those struggling with same-sex attraction, teaching that homosexuality is the unforgivable sin. Others embrace homosexuality, claiming that Bible passages have been misinterpreted or that the prohibitions against homosexual behavior simply have no authority over us today. But what does God think of same-sex attraction? How can we speak the truth of God's Law with love? The cross, which makes us holy in God's sight, gives us the strength to say "No" to sinful desires and "Yes" to God's loving plan for our sexual lives. Pastor Crandall serves Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Beaufort, SC.

Love Wins? Bell’s Hell

Mr. Chris Rosebrough
Maybe you’ve heard about Rob Bell’s view of hell. Is he a faithful teacher of God’s Word or does he teach a form of universalism? And what exactly is his “gospel”? We’ll compare and contrast Rob Bell’s teachings to the Bible and see if the doctrine in Love Wins, Velvet Elvis and his Nooma videos square with the Scriptures and the Church's confession from its beginning. Chris Rosebrough is the Treasurer for the Higher Things Board of Directors and is the President (Captain) of Pirate Christian Radio.

Mormonism Exposed!

Rev. Brent Kuhlman
WARNING! What you’ll learn in this breakaway might just shock you! You’ve seen them walking or riding their bikes. Perhaps they’ve knocked on your door and even been in your livingroom. Mormon missionaries! Are Mormons Christians? What do Mormons really believe? About God? Jesus? Salvation? And what’s that they’re wearing under their clothes? And why? Come find out. Pastor Kuhlman serves Trinity Lutheran Church in Murdock, NE. He is the Vice-President of the Higher Things Board of Directors and a Plenary Teacher for the Coram Deo conferences.

No Time for a Call

Rev. David Speers
We are quite connected, busy and focused on how to proceed with our lives. Everyone offers us advice on what to do, how to proceed, and yet, from the day of our baptism God, has been calling us to that LIFE that HE has prepared for us. Vocation, calling, is God's way of leading and guiding us in life to be His hands, feet, and mouth. He promises that our lives will become something beautiful, in His time. Come and learn about the connection between our lives, gifts and God's calling and His promise of a Good Life. Pastor Speers serves St. Paul Lutheran Church in Altamont, IL.

Qui cantat, bis orat: He Who Sings, Prays Twice

Dr. John Frantz
Whatever happened to the singing church? In song we pray, praise and give thanks before God, but we also proclaim our faith before our neighbor, and before the world. Singing is excited and sustained speech. As Christians our singing should be excited and sustained, because our LORD has saved us from sin, death and the devil. Join us as we will look into the why, the where, the what, and how we sing. Dr. Frantz serves as organist at Peace Lutheran Church in Goldsboro, NC and has a Doctorate in Music Composition.

Should I Go To College?

Rev. Kyle Mietzner
In today's world it is taken for granted that everyone will go to college. Our president has even said that more people going to college is the way to strengthen our nation. Those who don't go to college are looked down upon as stupid or lazy. Those who do go to college are considered smart and motivated. Could it be possible that both of these stereotypes aren’t true? Why do people expect you to go to college? Should you go if you don't want to? More importantly, does God want you to go to college? Pastor Meitzner serves Grace Lutheran Church in Greensboro, NC.

Talking to Your Non-Lutheran Friends about Jesus

Rev. Mark Buetow
Ever heard this from your non-Lutheran (but Christian) friends? “It doesn’t matter what you believe about the little stuff. What matters is that we all believe in Jesus?” What do you say to that? Come learn how every little teaching is actually connected to Jesus. You’ll also learn how to talk to your non-Lutheran friends about Baptism, Communion and any other topic where they disagree—and to do so on the basis of Jesus and the Word of God. Pastor Buetow serves Bethel Lutheran Church in DuQuoin, IL and is the Media Executive for Higher Things.

The Book of Revelation—From God's Point of View

Rev. John Drosendahl
Everybody seems to have their own “interpretation” of Revelation. But not Lutherans. Come learn how this revelation of our Lord and Savior should be viewed from God's perspective, since it’s His revelation to us! We’ll explore how God sent this book through John—as poetry, apocalyptic literature, eschatological literature, and from an Eastern mindset. And we’ll let other Scriptures interpret this word of God so that Jesus' revelation becomes clearer to us! Pastor Drosendahl serves two churches in eastern NC: Peace Lutheran in Goldsboro and Our Redeemer in Wilson. He is the Catechist for Coram Deo—Atlanta.

The Church of Scientology: How do we respond?

Rev. Dr. John Sound
Scientology is a worldwide movement which became a religion with the founding of the Church of Scientology in 1954. Hundreds of thousands of people have taken “counseling” courses, including such celebrities as Kirstie Alley, Tom Cruise, and John Travolta. What is this New Age movement? How can we respond to it using the Bible? Pastor Sound serves Our Savior Lutheran in Winchester, VA.

The Epistle of James: Can it be Lutheran?

Rev. Jason Lane
Martin Luther criticized the Letter of James by calling it an “epistle of straw”, suggesting that the book would be more appropriately placed in the fire than in Holy Scripture. Yet despite Luther's serious charges against James, he did not stop using this epistle throughout his ministry to teach the church. Does daring to be Lutheran mean we must rid ourselves of James? Or did James, in fact, dare to be Lutheran long ago? Bring your Bibles; let's find out. Pastor Lane serves Celebration Lutheran Church, Jacksonville, FL.

The Holiness of God

Rev. Olson
It means little to speak of God’s holiness apart from what God has revealed in the Old and New Testaments. The holiness of God accompanied His people as His glory did. And now the Holy One has come. His holiness is conveyed according to His commands. Compare God's people in the Old Testament and the New Testament and where Christians stand today. You might be surprised how blessed you are to be Back in the Presence of God! Pastor Olson serves Trinity Lutheran Church in Tryon, NC.

The Reliability of the New Testament Documents

Rev. Charles St-Onge
Do you ever wonder if we can trust the New Testament as eyewitness reports? What about the other books, like the Gospel of Thomas, that some believe should be in the Bible? With so many versions of the New Testament яoating around, and all the differences between them, how can we believe any of it is really God's Word? Here, you’ll learn to defend the reliability of the New Testament documents as books that faithfully record what people heard, saw with their eyes, and touched with their hands. Pastor St-Onge serves Memorial Lutheran Church Houston, TX.

The Sound of the Church’s Music Coram Deo

Rev. Michael Monterastelli
The hills are alive with the sound of music, sure—but so is the Church before God. From where do the sounds of the Church come? Are there certain sounds of music that have come to belong to the Church and her worship? Have you ever wondered why music in Church sounds different from anywhere else? Maybe because the sounds of the Church's music facilitate the confession of Christ crucified for sinners. Pastor Monterastelli serves the First Lutheran Church of Lufkin, TX.

We Do Birthdays Right (Deaths, Resurrections & Ascensions too!)

Rev. Stephen Schumacher
In our culture people celebrate birthdays with traditions that are passed down from generation to generation. In a liturgical church, we are blessed with our liturgical heritage so that we not only celebrate Christ's birthday; we also know how to observe His death, resurrection, and other aspects of Christ's life too. Come and learn how what a blessing our liturgical heritage is and how it keeps us together and how it is a blessing as we observe all aspects of Christ's ministry. Pastor Schumacher serves Bethany Lutheran Church in Naperville, IL.

What kind of World are We Creating?

Rev. Dr. John Sound
The current issues in the public debate on same-sex unions and marriages demand that we ask, “What kind of world are we creating? Is it a world that is actually harming us more than benefitting us?" We will explore the long established "tWorld” (traditional world) and contrast it with the present-day "iWorld” (individualistic world) in which the immediate desires of the individual have been deemed paramount. Can the "rWorld” (relational world), a proposed alternative to both of these worlds, provide the most personally fulfilling context for sexuality and well being? What does the scripture say about these worlds, our sexuality and marriage? Pastor Sound serves Our Savior Lutheran in Winchester, VA.

What the Monkey?!

Rev. Paul Kaiser
What is a Christian to make of so-called evolutionary science? Can science prove that man evolved from monkeys or apes and all life from pond scum? Is this compatible with what God's Word says about Creation? Did God use evolution to create? Do we stand Coram Deo as highly evolved apes or as humbled human creatures who lost the perfect image of God and need to be created anew? If we believe the Bible, do we have to check our brains at the door? Pastor Kaiser serves St. Paul Lutheran Church in Edna, TX.

Worldview Everlasting Live: Coram Deo

Rev. Jonathan Fisk
Without swords and minus trick photography, Worldview Everlasting Live will nonetheless deliver a multimedia shoryuken of Coram Deo-ness straight to your psyche. There will be monkeys. There will be ninjas. And there will be 200 Proof Law and Gospel as we delve into our justified life Coram Deo as this single most imperative reality of human existence. Hearers will leave the break-out having received a complete apologetic presentation for Coram Deo faith as the "receiving" cornerstone of a philosophy far surpassing the petty desires of our fragmented and momentary lives, that is, having experienced the reality of why daring to be Lutheran is the solid gold of a worldview that is everlasting. Pastor Fisk serves St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Springfield, PA and is a member of the Higher Things Board of Directors.
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