Laurie Auditorium, near Door 2 where the housing table is currently set up. Keys should be returned in the envelope by the group leader only, as a group, and not individually.
All groups must be checked out by 3:00 pm at the latest.
Saturday Departure: Until 11:00 am There will be a keycard Dropbox labeled Higher Things located in the following locations (note these won’t be set out until Friday afternoon):
Prassel Lobby: (level with direct access to Shook, not the lowest level.)
Witt Center: (under the covered entrance) Myrtle: (Outside the building near the U drive) North/South Foyer: (indoor area connecting the two halls)
Saturday Departures should simply drop their keycard on their way out. These will be picked up at 11:15 am, and anyone who has not returned their key will need to stop at the Holt Center to do so, located at 106 Oakmont Ct. House cleaning of rooms:
• Remove all trash from your room bins and properly dispose of at one of Trinity's Trash Receptacle Stations. If you don’t clearly see a TRS, leave the trash contained in the garbage can in your room. • Clean out all leftover food from your microwave and refrigerator. • Linens leave in a pile on the floor.
Beyond Reasonable Doubt 2023 - Conference Portal
// Tetramorph Standings
// Trinity Conference Information
Higher Things ICE – 319-455-6737
Trinity University Police – 219-999-7070 (For lockouts after 5 pm)
Trinity Housing – 210-999-7640
(After 11:30 Tuesday-Thursday, TUPD (210) 999-7011)
Higher Things Housing –
1-888-482-6630 x710
Meals –
Group A – 5pm // 11am
Ascension – Memorial
Group B – 5:45pm // 11:45am
Messiah – Zion
Wifi –
Use TU Guest
Tetramorph Assignments
Aquila // Michigan, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Texas N-Z
Bos // Arizona, Illinois, NON-USA, Texas A-M
Leo // Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Virginia
Vir // California, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Washington
// Schedule
- Tuesday 25 Jul 2023
- Wednesday 26 Jul 2023
- Thursday 27 Jul 2023
- Friday 28 Jul 2023
Tuesday 25 Jul 2023
9:00 am - 2:00 pm Registration / Check-In
// Bell Athletic Center
1:00 pm - 1:45 pm Choir Rehearsal
// Parker Chapel
1:00 pm - 1:45 pm Leaders’ Meeting
// Laurie 319
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Opening Divine Service
// Parker Chapel
3:45 pm - 5:15 pm Plenary 1 — Proof We Can Trust the Gospels as Eyewitness Accounts
// Laurie Auditorium
Speaker: Rev. Chris Rosebrough
Pastor Chris Rosebrough is a bi-vocational theologian and is a recognized voice in Confessional Lutheranism. Pastor Rosebrough is the Captain of Pirate Christian Radio and the host of Fighting for the Faith. Fighting for the Faith is a Christ-Centered and Cross-Focused daily apologetics internet-radio program with a global audience. Rev. Chris Rosebrough also serves as pastor of Kongsvinger Lutheran Church in Aslo, Minnesota.
5:00 pm - 6:45 pm Dinner
// Mabee Dining Hall
7:00 pm - 7:45 pm Breakaway A
// Classrooms
Babbling About Pronouns
Rev. Harrison GoodmanStieren Theater - Ruth Taylor Music Building
Transgender issues have devolved into a war over pronouns. Language matters. So calling it a war means something. It overlooks the fear, sin, shame. And in doing so, it overlooks any place to offer help and peace to sinners who need Jesus. It will change how we read the bible if we're not careful. Enter the Tower of Babel. In a war over language, we have assumed that sin muddled the language. Nope. God did that. The sin was what made Him do it. And He did it for their good. Language matters. So the Word is made flesh to dwell among and for sinners with confused language. He sends the Spirit on Pentecost to preach to them. And there is forgiveness and life.
Rev. Goodman is the content executive for Higher Things and a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Mt. Vernon, IA. You can reach Pastor Goodman at rev.goodman@higherthings.org.
Basketball Jesus
Rev. Eli Lietzau and Patrick Sturdivant110 Laurie
Jesus and Michael Jordan meet on a basketball court for a little 1-on-1; first to 11, winner keeps ball. You’re sitting on the sidelines for this once in a lifetime opportunity: the greatest basketball player in the history of the world vs. the Lord of all creation. Who is going to win? Will it even be close? … Come join us as we talk about the Person of Christ, His divinity and His humanity, and what that has to say about and for you in the midst of your average, run-of-the-mill, spaghetti dinner life.
Patrick Sturdivant is the development executive of Higher Things and Rev. Lietzau is the pastor of Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO. Patrick's a member at Zion Lutheran Church in Tomball, TX. You can reach Patrick at patrick@higherthings.org and Pastor Lietzau at pastorwrlutheran@gmail.com.
Darwinian Deluge: Defending Creation
Rev. Steven CholakCenter for Sciences and Innovation 448
The world wants us to just believe that the universe happened through chance and natural selection. The Bible teaches that the Lord created the heavens and the earth in six days. Join Pastor Steven Cholak as he discusses the apologetics of being a Young Earth Creationist.
Rev. Cholak is the pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church and School in Houston, TX. You can reach him at scholak@osl.cc.
Jesus: In Full Color
Vicar Benjamin HeinzLaurie 110
White Jesus, Brown Jesus... what does it matter what Jesus looked like? And why do Christians depict Him so differently in art? What is a "graven image" anyway? Join as we take a look at depictions of Christ throughout the history of Christian art, learning what the heck we're supposed to do with our eyes in a religion that says: "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Vicar Heinz is one of the Higher Things summer vicars. He's receiving his training from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
Professor Strange in the Multiverse of Gladness
Rev. Randy Sturzenbecher111 Fiesta - Coates Student Center
We are all professors of gladness, hope, and peace in this broken world full of despairing souls. The apology (defense) of the Gospel is strange to those who have no hope or hope in their own good works. So, it is important to have a strong understanding from Scripture and a bold confession of the hope that is within you to share at work, with your friends, and even with your family. Join Becky Clausen, strength instructor; Mollie Hemmingway, editor-in-chief of The Federalist; Devin Jackson, EMT firefighter, and David Zilz, research engineer, as we talk about how we share this strange but wonderful message of hope and peace in Christ with people at work and the world.
Rev. Sturzenbecher is the pastor of Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church. He also serves as the vice president of the Higher Things board of directors. You can reach him at dslcpsturz@divineshep.org
The Large Catechism as an Apologetic Tool
Rev. John Pless237 Waxahachie - Coates Student Center
Luther’s Small Catechism is well -known as it is used to instruct both children and adults prior to their admission to the Lord’s Supper. Most Lutherans are less familiar with Luther’s Large Catechism. Derived from Luther’s sermons on the chief parts of Christian doctrine, the Large Catechism is a valuable tool to help Christians respond faithfully to any number of apologetic issues that they are likely to encounter. This session examine several of “the handles” that the Large Catechism gives us for this challenge
Rev. Dr. Pless is the assistant professor of pastoral ministry and missions at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN. He also serves on the board of directors for Higher Things and is a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, IN.
The Resurrection X-Files
Rev. Jeffery Ware110 Parker
Were the disciples haunted by Jesus’ ghost? Did Jesus secretly have an identical twin brother? Was the empty tomb the greatest hoax ever pulled off in history? Was it all a governmental conspiracy? Was Jesus an alien from outer space? We’ll dig deep into the resurrection x-files to examine these alternative theories to the bodily resurrection of Jesus and more. Some are strange. Some are spooky. Some are serious challenges to the Christian faith in the resurrected Lord Jesus. The truth is out there, it can be known, and it makes all the difference in the world.
Rev. Ware is the pastor of All Saints Lutheran Church in Charlotte, NC. He also serves on the board of directors for Higher Things. You can reach him at rev.ware@higherthings.org.
What is a Deaconess, Anyway?
Deaconess Sarah LongmireRicharson 319
Are deaconesses 'wanna-be female pastors?' Are they current-day nuns? Do they live at church? What do deaconesses do anyway? In this breakaway, the gift of vocational roles, an understanding of mercy work, and a picture of the Office of Public Ministry, in connection to other church offices, will be explained and discussed. A clear explanation of the Office of Deaconess will be shared. But, most importantly, the grace and mercy given to all sinners, through Jesus and in Baptism, will be communicated, even as we look at gifts, vocational roles, and serving our neighbors.
Deac. Longmire serves St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lees Summit, MO. You can reach her at sarah.longmire@gmail.com
Why Are You Lutheran?
Rev. Dr. Ron BogsCenter for Sciences and Innovation 437
"What do you tell your friends when they ask, “Why are you Lutheran?” Do you know what you would say? Do you know why you are Lutheran? Because you were born Lutheran? Not only is it important to be able to give an answer for your faith, so also is knowing why you believe as you do. Come and learn how to give an answer to “Why are you are Lutheran?” and be able to ask, “Why are you . . . ?”"
Rev. Dr. Bogs is the pastor of St. Matthew Lutheran Church of Westfield in Houston, TX. You can reach him at pastorbogs@stmatthewlcms.com.
Why Beginnings Matter
Michelle Bauman114 Ruth Taylor Recital Hall
There are only two options: either you were an accident, or you were planned. And the answer to that question makes your life insignificant or full of meaning. You can’t have it both ways; it’s all or nothing. This sectional is going to take a closer look at beginnings, a closer look at both the formation of the world and of you. We’ll answer the question about significance, and we’ll conclude, beyond reasonable doubt, that you are valuable. You were made for LIFE.
Michelle Bauman is the executive director of Y4Life, the youth arm of Lutherans for Life. You can reach her at michelle@y4life.org.
8:00 pm - 8:30 pm Evening Prayer
// Parker Chapel
8:30 pm - 11:00 pm Free Time and Entertainment
Basketball, Volleyball
Webster Gym
Basketball, Volleyball
Capture the Flag, 9-Square, Spikeball, Ax Throwing, cornhole, soccer, Bonker Ball
Intramural Fields
Capture the Flag, 9-Square, Spikeball, Ax Throwing, cornhole.
Chant Off
Ruth Taylor Recital Hall
Chant Off
Gaming Truck
Parking Lot S
Gaming Truck
Geocache Scavenger Hunt
Around Campus
Scavenger Hunt
Laser Tag
Competition Gym
Laser Tag. Pew Pew
Laser Tag
Competition Gym
Laser Tag
Paint Along
Fiesta Room
90 min paint session, please be in the room by 8:15pm
Ping-Pong, table top games
2nd floor Bell Cntr
Ping-Pong, table top games
Swimming
Outdoor Pool
Swimming
8:30 pm - 8:45 pm Individual Confession and Absolution
// Parker Chapel
11:00 pm - 11:30 pm Compline
// Dorms
Wednesday 26 Jul 2023
7:00 am - 8:45 am Breakfast
// Mabee Dining Hall
8:00 am - 8:45 am Choir Rehearsal
// Parker Chapel
9:00 am - 9:30 am Matins
// Parker Chapel
9:45 am - 10:45 am Plenary 2 — The Case for the Bodily Resurrection of Christ
// Laurie Auditorium
Speaker: Rev. Chris Rosebrough
Pastor Chris Rosebrough is a bi-vocational theologian and is a recognized voice in Confessional Lutheranism. Pastor Rosebrough is the Captain of Pirate Christian Radio and the host of Fighting for the Faith. Fighting for the Faith is a Christ-Centered and Cross-Focused daily apologetics internet-radio program with a global audience. Rev. Chris Rosebrough also serves as pastor of Kongsvinger Lutheran Church in Aslo, Minnesota.
11:00 am - 11:30 am Leaders’ Meeting
// Laurie 319
11:00 am - 12:45 pm Lunch
// Mabee Dining Hall
1:00 pm - 1:30 pm Vespers
// Parker Chapel
1:45 pm - 3:45 pm Free Time
Games
Intramural Field
solo cup catch, human tik-tac-toe, Oreo eat,
Petting Zoo
Grass Field
90 min paint session, please be in the room by 8:45pm
2:45 pm - 3:45 pm Panel Session
// Laurie Auditorium
4:00 pm - 4:45 pm Breakaway B
// Classrooms
Babbling About Pronouns
Rev. Harrison GoodmanStieren Theater - Ruth Taylor Music Building
Transgender issues have devolved into a war over pronouns. Language matters. So calling it a war means something. It overlooks the fear, sin, shame. And in doing so, it overlooks any place to offer help and peace to sinners who need Jesus. It will change how we read the bible if we're not careful. Enter the Tower of Babel. In a war over language, we have assumed that sin muddled the language. Nope. God did that. The sin was what made Him do it. And He did it for their good. Language matters. So the Word is made flesh to dwell among and for sinners with confused language. He sends the Spirit on Pentecost to preach to them. And there is forgiveness and life.
Rev. Goodman is the content executive for Higher Things and a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Mt. Vernon, IA. You can reach Pastor Goodman at rev.goodman@higherthings.org.
Basketball Jesus
Rev. Eli Lietzau and Patrick Sturdivant110 Laurie
Jesus and Michael Jordan meet on a basketball court for a little 1-on-1; first to 11, winner keeps ball. You’re sitting on the sidelines for this once in a lifetime opportunity: the greatest basketball player in the history of the world vs. the Lord of all creation. Who is going to win? Will it even be close? … Come join us as we talk about the Person of Christ, His divinity and His humanity, and what that has to say about and for you in the midst of your average, run-of-the-mill, spaghetti dinner life.
Patrick Sturdivant is the development executive of Higher Things and Rev. Lietzau is the pastor of Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, CO. Patrick's a member at Zion Lutheran Church in Tomball, TX. You can reach Patrick at patrick@higherthings.org and Pastor Lietzau at pastorwrlutheran@gmail.com.
Coffee with Skeptics: Sharing your Faith with Those Who Doubt
Erick Sorensen110 Parker
Learn how to begin conversations with skeptics and unbelievers, what tactics we can use to share our faith, and ultimately how to comfort those who are lost with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Erick Sorensen is in charge of Church Partnerships in the Development Department at 1517 and a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Fontana, CA. You can reach him at erick@1517.org.
Darwinian Deluge: Defending Creation
Rev. Steven CholakCenter for Sciences and Innovation 448
The world wants us to just believe that the universe happened through chance and natural selection. The Bible teaches that the Lord created the heavens and the earth in six days. Join Pastor Steven Cholak as he discusses the apologetics of being a Young Earth Creationist.
Rev. Cholak is the pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church and School in Houston, TX. You can reach him at scholak@osl.cc.
Hymnody: The Rest of the Story
Paul Soulek and Renata PeperkornMeditation Chapel 228
Hear from Cantor Soulek and Cantoral Intern Renata Peperkorn about the what, why, and how of church music. What do church musicians do? Why do we sing the things we sing? How do we equip God's people to do this? Participants will join in choral warmups, hymn selection exercises, and will also dive into the basics of the pipe organ and its role in supporting the congregation's song.
Paul Soulek is the cantor of St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, NE. He also serves as the cantor for Higher Things. Renata is Higher Things Summer Cantoral Intern. You can reach Paul at paul.soulek@stjohnseward.org and Renata at renatapeperkorn@me.com
Hymnody: The Sung Apologetic
Vicar James GramzowCenter for Sciences and Innovation 437
It is easy to sing hymns on Sunday morning and, by the time the hymn is over, completely forget what we just sang. The language of our Lutheran Hymnody teaches our faith in nuanced and varied ways that give us words that both defend and express what it is we believe. Taking a careful look at the texts of some of our church's hymns, we will see how, by learning and singing our church's hymns, we constantly sharpen our language and understanding for defending the faith.
Vicar Gramzow is one of the Higher Things summer vicars. He's receiving his training from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN. You can reach him at james.gramzow@ctsfw.edu
Jesus: In Full Color
Vicar Benjamin HeinzRichardson 319
White Jesus, Brown Jesus... what does it matter what Jesus looked like? And why do Christians depict Him so differently in art? What is a "graven image" anyway? Join as we take a look at depictions of Christ throughout the history of Christian art, learning what the heck we're supposed to do with our eyes in a religion that says: "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Vicar Heinz is one of the Higher Things summer vicars. He's receiving his training from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO.
Professor Strange in the Multiverse of Gladness
Rev. Randy Sturzenbecher111 Fiesta - Coates Student Center
We are all professors of gladness, hope, and peace in this broken world full of despairing souls. The apology (defense) of the Gospel is strange to those who have no hope or hope in their own good works. So, it is important to have a strong understanding from Scripture and a bold confession of the hope that is within you to share at work, with your friends, and even with your family. Join Becky Clausen, strength instructor; Mollie Hemmingway, editor-in-chief of The Federalist; Devin Jackson, EMT firefighter, and David Zilz, research engineer, as we talk about how we share this strange but wonderful message of hope and peace in Christ with people at work and the world.
Rev. Sturzenbecher is the pastor of Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church. He also serves as the vice president of the Higher Things board of directors. You can reach him at dslcpsturz@divineshep.org
The Large Catechism as an Apologetic Tool
Rev. John Pless237 Waxahachie - Coates Student Center
Luther’s Small Catechism is well -known as it is used to instruct both children and adults prior to their admission to the Lord’s Supper. Most Lutherans are less familiar with Luther’s Large Catechism. Derived from Luther’s sermons on the chief parts of Christian doctrine, the Large Catechism is a valuable tool to help Christians respond faithfully to any number of apologetic issues that they are likely to encounter. This session examine several of “the handles” that the Large Catechism gives us for this challenge
Rev. Dr. Pless is the assistant professor of pastoral ministry and missions at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN. He also serves on the board of directors for Higher Things and is a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, IN.
Why Beginnings Matter
Michelle Bauman114 Ruth Taylor Recital Hall
There are only two options: either you were an accident, or you were planned. And the answer to that question makes your life insignificant or full of meaning. You can’t have it both ways; it’s all or nothing. This sectional is going to take a closer look at beginnings, a closer look at both the formation of the world and of you. We’ll answer the question about significance, and we’ll conclude, beyond reasonable doubt, that you are valuable. You were made for LIFE.
Michelle Bauman is the executive director of Y4Life, the youth arm of Lutherans for Life. You can reach her at michelle@y4life.org.
5:00 pm - 6:45 pm Dinner
// Mabee Dining Hall
7:00 pm - 7:45 pm Breakaway C
// Classrooms
A Healthy Dose of Lament
Vicar Justin ChesterCenter for Sciences and Innovation 437
Lamenting? Crying out in all doubt, pain, and suffering? Is that Christian? The Psalms of Lament are the tools of prayer given to us Christians to pray and meditate on. A healthy dose of lament is good for the Christian; it keeps us grounded, so to speak. Our world once knew and approached death and suffering with much more seriousness than our culture does today. Join me in seeing how doubt, suffering, and lament are essential parts of the Christian life leading to true thanks and praise. Lamenting and praising before God as dear children going to their dear father.
Vicar Chester is one of the Higher Things summer vicars. He's receiving his training from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN. You can reach him at justin.chester@ctsfw.edu
Can I trust the Bible since it’s “full of errors”?
Rev. Joel ShaltanisParker 110
“The Bible is full of errors and hopelessly distorted.” “The Bible is a collection of myths and stories.” “Lost books of the Bible reveal new information about Jesus.” These and other claims await you at your secular university. How will you respond? Will you keep quiet? Will you be embarrassed and think your faith is unintelligent and indefensible? How about firing back and helping people see that such claims against the Bible are just old clichés and anything but true? “Full of errors?” Hardly! Learn the facts and see for yourself.
Rev. Shaltanis is the pastor of Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Plano, TX. You can reach him at pastorshaltanis@yahoo.com.
Cantorology 101
Paul Soulek and Renata PeperkornParker Chapel
Join Cantor Paul Soulek and Cantoral Intern Renata Peperkorn on a journey through the hymns used in this year's Higher Things conference. We'll examine the backgrounds of composers and authors, the Biblical texts that inspired their words, and the ways in which these hymns address our present-day doubt with the promises of God.
Paul Soulek is the cantor of St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, NE. He also serves as the cantor for Higher Things. Renata is Higher Things Summer Cantoral Intern. You can reach Paul at paul.soulek@stjohnseward.org and Renata at renatapeperkorn@me.com
Defend Your Baptism
Rev. Chris BramichCenter for Sciences and Innovation 448
Do you ever feel attacked for being baptized as an infant? Has anyone encouraged you to get re-baptized? Yikes! Don't do it! Come join us today as we discuss all things infant baptism. You'll learn how to defend the beliefs you were confirmed in and more deeply appreciate how you are buried and resurrected in your baptism with Christ!
Rev. Chris Bramich is the pastor of Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church in Haslet, TX. You can reach him at cb2890@att.net
Dusting off Deuteronomy
Rev. Joel Fritsche111 Fiesta - Coates Student Center
Deuteronomy is a series of sermons from Moses to a new generation of Israelites on the brink of entering the Promised Land. Jesus quotes Deuteronomy more than any other OT book. Why do some insist that it was written much later in Israel’s history? What did it mean for the Israelites? What does it mean for you? Why does Moses tell the Israelites that someday they will eat their children? Getting hungry? Come dig into Deuteronomy and be strengthened in Jesus beyond reasonable doubt!
Rev. Fritsche is the Director of Vicarages and Deaconess Internships and Assistant Professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. You can reach him at fritschej@csl.edu
In with and under…. behind and before, Jesus For You!
Rev. Randy SturzenbecherDSH 320
It sounds like Lord’s Supper stuff doesn’t it? We will get there but let’s take the long way. Where is my comfort and hope when I am in my sin? How about when I am with others who are struggling and need hope? Where is Jesus when I am being crushed under the weight of my sin? What do I do when the sins that are behind me, already forgiven, keep haunting me? What do I do when sin is before me luring me in? Join us and see how Jesus is For You in all these situations.
Rev. Sturzenbecher is the pastor of Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church. He also serves as the vice president of the Higher Things board of directors. You can reach him at dslcpsturz@divineshep.org
Miracles, the Mind, and Meaning
Dr. David Zilz114 Ruth Taylor Recital Hall
Skepticism toward the Bible often centers on the miracle stories, which sound more like fairy tales than reality. How can a Christian come to terms with miracle accounts such as the resurrection in a skeptical culture? Based on years of research and his own journey with doubt, Dr. David Zilz will discuss how miracles, ancient and modern, satisfy both the mind’s quest for certainty and the soul’s hunger for meaning, encouraging the audience to have a holistic view of the Gospel that speaks to both the heart and the mind.
Dr. Zilz is a member of Risen Christ Lutheran Church in Fairborn, OH. You can reach him at davidpzilz@hotmail.com
The Greatest is Love
Jocelyn BensonStieren Theater - Ruth Taylor Music Building
Justice? Prudence? Temperance? Fortitude? Faith? Hope? Charity? You have neighbors all around you, some Christian and some pagan. How should you interact with them as a Christian? Can we expect the same from those around us? The cardinal and theological virtues have helped people consider their interactions with others for millennia, and they can give you timeless guidance for interacting with the neighbors God has given you in this world that is not your home.
Jocelyn Benson is the headmaster of Wittenberg Academy. She is a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Chatfield, MN. You can reach her at mrsbenson@wittenbergacademy.org.
Worship Beyond Reasonable Doubt
Rev. James Douthwaite110 Laurie
How do we worship Beyond Reasonable Doubt? Can we? Does it matter how we worship? Why do we worship the way we do? What is praise? What is worship? What is liturgy? What is the basis of our worship - its structure or bones? What is our confidence when we gather together? What if I don’t feel like I get anything out of worship? Come think about how Jesus is the reason we worship Beyond Reasonable Doubt.
Rev. Douthwaite is the pastor of Saint Athanasius Lutheran Church in Vienna, VA. You can reach him at revjdoc@gmail.com.
Youth Ministry 101
Crysten SanchezRichardson 319
Thinking about putting together a youth program can seem daunting. Let's be honest, if you were asked to build something from scratch with immediate success, it WOULD be daunting! There are a lot of building blocks that go into a healthy, sustainable, safe youth program. Crysten Sanchez, former youth coordinator at a church in Iowa, will walk you through the many pieces of the puzzle to do just that!
Crysten Sanchez is the events executive for Higher Things and is a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Mt. Vernon, IA. You can reach her at csanchez@higherthings.org.
8:00 pm - 8:30 pm Evening Prayer
// Parker Chapel
8:30 pm - 11:00 pm Free Time and Entertainment
Basketball, Volleyball
Webster Gym
Capture the Flag, 9-Square, Spikeball, Ax Throwing, cornhole.
Intramural Field
Gaming Truck
Parking Lot S
Joust/Bungee Run
Intramural Field
Laser Tag
Competition Gym
Laser Tag, Soccer
Intramural Field
Ping-pong, table-top games
2nd floor Bell Cntr
Social Deduction Game - Werewolf
Fiesta Room
Swimming
Outdoor Pool
Bring a towel!
Talent Show
Ruth Taylor Recital Hall
Tetramorph Challenge 3
Tetramorph on a Stick
Around Campus
Tetramorph Challenge 4
8:30 pm - 8:45 pm Individual Confession and Absolution
// Parker Chapel
11:00 pm - 11:30 pm Compline
// Dorms
Thursday 27 Jul 2023
7:00 am - 8:45 am Breakfast
// Mabee Dining Hall
8:00 am - 8:45 am Choir Rehearsal
// Parker Chapel
9:00 am - 9:30 am Morning Prayer
// Paker Chapel
9:45 am - 10:45 am Plenary 3 — The Four Competing Chapters of Every Worldview Story
// Laurie Auditorium
Speaker: Rev. Brian Wolfmueller
Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller is pastor of St. Paul and Jesus Deaf Lutheran Churches in Austin, TX. He is the author of Take They Our Life: Martin Luther’s Theology of Martyrdom (2019), A Martyr’s Faith for a Faithless World (CPH, 2019), Has American Christianity Failed? (CPH, 2016) and Final Victory: Contemplating the Death and Funeral of a Christian (CPH, 2010). He is host of What-Not, The Podcast, posts videos on YouTube at wolfmueller1, and has a number of other theological projects that all end up on his blog, www.wolfmueller.co. Bryan is a member of the Doxology Collegium. He and his wife Keri live with their four children in Round Rock, TX.
11:00 am - 11:30 am Leaders' Meeting
// Laurie 319
11:00 am - 12:45 pm Lunch
// Mabee Dining Hall
1:00 pm - 1:30 pm Vespers
// Parker Chapel
1:45 pm - 2:30 pm Breakaway D
// Classrooms
A Healthy Dose of Lament
Vicar Justin Chester237 Waxahachie - Coates Student Center
Lamenting? Crying out in all doubt, pain, and suffering? Is that Christian? The Psalms of Lament are the tools of prayer given to us Christians to pray and meditate on. A healthy dose of lament is good for the Christian; it keeps us grounded, so to speak. Our world once knew and approached death and suffering with much more seriousness than our culture does today. Join me in seeing how doubt, suffering, and lament are essential parts of the Christian life leading to true thanks and praise. Lamenting and praising before God as dear children going to their dear father.
Vicar Chester is one of the Higher Things summer vicars. He's receiving his training from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN. You can reach him at justin.chester@ctsfw.edu
Diaconal Ministry: Learning and Serving
Anika SlaytonRicharson 319
Deaconess student intern Anika Slayton and Deaconess Sarah Longmire will talk about the similarities and differences between studying to become a deaconess and full-time service in the deaconess ministry. They will present the gift of this office by discussing vocational opportunities for women in the Church. They will explore this in light of student intern Anika's current education and Deaconess Sarah's current call. Through this discussion, the Gospel is the source of the love and mercy that deaconesses and students alike get to share through service to their neighbor.
Anika is one of the Higher Things summer deaconess interns. She's receiving her training from Concordia University Chicago in River Forest, IL
How to Read the Psalms in Six Easy Steps
Rev. Bryan WolfmuellerStieren Theater - Ruth Taylor Music Building
The Psalms are a treasure, but the poetry is often difficult to understand. Everyone likes a list, right? We will talk about six questions to ask each Psalm, and we'll practice reading a few.
Rev. Wolfmueller is the pastor of St Paul & Jesus Deaf Lutheran Churches in Austin, TX. He is one of the plenary speakers for the Beyond Reasonable Doubt Conference in San Antonio, TX. You can reach him at bwolfmueller@gmail.com.
Hymnody: The Sung Apologetic
Vicar James GramzowCenter for Sciences and Innovation 437
It is easy to sing hymns on Sunday morning and, by the time the hymn is over, completely forget what we just sang. The language of our Lutheran Hymnody teaches our faith in nuanced and varied ways that give us words that both defend and express what it is we believe. Taking a careful look at the texts of some of our church's hymns, we will see how, by learning and singing our church's hymns, we constantly sharpen our language and understanding for defending the faith.
Vicar Gramzow is one of the Higher Things summer vicars. He's receiving his training from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN. You can reach him at james.gramzow@ctsfw.edu
Miracles, the Mind, and Meaning
Dr. David Zilz111 Fiesta - Coates Student Center
Skepticism toward the Bible often centers on the miracle stories, which sound more like fairy tales than reality. How can a Christian come to terms with miracle accounts such as the resurrection in a skeptical culture? Based on years of research and his own journey with doubt, Dr. David Zilz will discuss how miracles, ancient and modern, satisfy both the mind’s quest for certainty and the soul’s hunger for meaning, encouraging the audience to have a holistic view of the Gospel that speaks to both the heart and the mind.
Dr. Zilz is a member of Risen Christ Lutheran Church in Fairborn, OH. You can reach him at davidpzilz@hotmail.com
People Not Problems
Rev. Aaron Schian and Deaconess Mika110 Laurie
In a world that is filled with words, words, and more words, we're daily bombarded with ideas and behaviors that conflict with (and maybe make us question) what we believe, teach, and confess. Often, our knee-jerk reaction is to get defensive with these folks and see them as problems that need fixing NOW. What if we saw these folks not as problems but as people? Not just any people, but those for whom Christ loved so much that He bled and died for them? How would that impact our reaction? How would that shape our goals in tough conversations?
Rev. Schian is the pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Auburn, MI. You can reach him at aaronschian@yahoo.com
The Resurrection X-Files
Rev. Jeffery Ware110 Parker
Were the disciples haunted by Jesus’ ghost? Did Jesus secretly have an identical twin brother? Was the empty tomb the greatest hoax ever pulled off in history? Was it all a governmental conspiracy? Was Jesus an alien from outer space? We’ll dig deep into the resurrection x-files to examine these alternative theories to the bodily resurrection of Jesus and more. Some are strange. Some are spooky. Some are serious challenges to the Christian faith in the resurrected Lord Jesus. The truth is out there, it can be known, and it makes all the difference in the world.
Rev. Ware is the pastor of All Saints Lutheran Church in Charlotte, NC. He also serves on the board of directors for Higher Things. You can reach him at rev.ware@higherthings.org.
Why Bodies Matter
Rev. Harrison Goodman and Erica Sorensen114 Ruth Taylor Recital Hall
Do you ever feel attacked for being baptized as an infant? Has anyone encouraged you to get re-baptized? Yikes! Don't do it! Come join us today as we discuss all things infant baptism. You'll learn how to defend the beliefs you were confirmed in and more deeply appreciate how you are buried and resurrected in your baptism with Christ!
Erica Sorensen is the executive director and Rev. Goodman is the content executive for Higher Things. She's a member of First Lutheran Church in Fontana, CA and he's a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Mt. Vernon, IA. You can reach Erica at erica@higherthings.org and Pastor Goodman at rev.goodman@higherthings.org.
You're Depressed, Now What?
Deaconess Emma HeinzCenter for Sciences and Innovation 448
Congratulations! You have depression! You are now faced with a million contradictory ideas about how you got depression, why you have it, and how to deal with it. Some people will say that medication will fix all your problems. Some people will say that just praying more will make it all better. How does a baptized child of God deal with depression? How should we view those who struggle with depression when their disorder leads to doubt or despair? How can a Christian faithfully suffer with depression? The short answer is through the work of the Holy Spirit, but if you would like a slightly longer answer, come on over.
Deac. Heinz is the registrar for Higher Things, and a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN. You can reach her at e.brauckman@gmail.com
2:45 pm - 3:45 pm Adult Thank You Reception
// Sponsored by HT4ME
2:45 pm - 3:45 pm Free Time
Games
Grass Field
solo cup catch, human tik-tac-toe, Oreo eat,
4:00 pm - 4:45 pm Breakaway E
// Classrooms
A Fireside Chat with Pastor Mark Jasa
Rev. Mark JasaCouches in the Hallway
Mark Jasa spends his days talking with people who don't believe in Jesus. Bring him your doubts. Your questions. Your fears. This fireside is a small group gathering where you'll have a safe, judgmental free place to ask questions you've wrestled with about your faith. Or, questions about anything. Come on. Let's chat.
Rev. Jasa is the pastor of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Pasadena, CA. He also works to share the Gospel with students at UCLA by having meaningful, individual conversations with students as they walk around campus. You can reach him at markjasa@gmail.com.
Coffee with Skeptics: Sharing your Faith with Those Who Doubt
Erick Sorensen111 Fiesta - Coates Student Center
Learn how to begin conversations with skeptics and unbelievers, what tactics we can use to share our faith, and ultimately how to comfort those who are lost with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Erick Sorensen is in charge of Church Partnerships in the Development Department at 1517 and a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Fontana, CA. You can reach him at erick@1517.org.
Confession and the Conscience
Paige RebberCenter for Sciences and Innovation 448
The Litany (a.k.a. The Great Litany) is a prayer rooted in the responsive prayers of the Early Church, as they cried "Kyrie eleison." Early in the Reformation, the Litany fell into disuse. Why is it important to confess our sins? When we leave our sin unconfessed, it weighs on the conscience, burdening our hearts and souls with the Law. It makes us feel lost and alone, completely outside of the Grace of God. In this breakaway session, confession (both corporate and private) will be discussed in light of Law and Gospel. Confession is always followed by absolution, which gives us assurance that our sins are forgiven. This will be discussed in conjunction with the Lutheran Service Book and the Scriptures and how we are assured Beyond Reasonable Doubt that we are forgiven.
Paige is one of the Higher Things summer deaconess interns. She's receiving her training from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN. You can reach her at paige.rebber@ctsfw.edu
Diaconal Ministry: Learning and Serving
Deaconess Sarah LongmireRicharson 319
Deaconess student intern Anika Slayton and Deaconess Sarah Longmire will talk about the similarities and differences between studying to become a deaconess and full-time service in the deaconess ministry. They will present the gift of this office by discussing vocational opportunities for women in the Church. They will explore this in light of student intern Anika's current education and Deaconess Sarah's current call. Through this discussion, the Gospel is the source of the love and mercy that deaconesses and students alike get to share through service to their neighbor.
Anika is one of the Higher Things summer deaconess interns. She's receiving her training from Concordia University Chicago in River Forest, IL
Dusting off Deuteronomy
Rev. Joel Fritsche110 Parker
Deuteronomy is a series of sermons from Moses to a new generation of Israelites on the brink of entering the Promised Land. Jesus quotes Deuteronomy more than any other OT book. Why do some insist that it was written much later in Israel’s history? What did it mean for the Israelites? What does it mean for you? Why does Moses tell the Israelites that someday they will eat their children? Getting hungry? Come dig into Deuteronomy and be strengthened in Jesus beyond reasonable doubt!
Rev. Fritsche is the Director of Vicarages and Deaconess Internships and Assistant Professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. You can reach him at fritschej@csl.edu
How to Read the Psalms in Six Easy Steps
Rev. Bryan WolfmuellerStieren Theater - Ruth Taylor Music Building
The Psalms are a treasure, but the poetry is often difficult to understand. Everyone likes a list, right? We will talk about six questions to ask each Psalm, and we'll practice reading a few.
Rev. Wolfmueller is the pastor of St Paul & Jesus Deaf Lutheran Churches in Austin, TX. He is one of the plenary speakers for the Beyond Reasonable Doubt Conference in San Antonio, TX. You can reach him at bwolfmueller@gmail.com.
People Not Problems
Rev. Aaron Schian and Deaconess MikaMeditation Chapel
In a world that is filled with words, words, and more words, we're daily bombarded with ideas and behaviors that conflict with (and maybe make us question) what we believe, teach, and confess. Often, our knee-jerk reaction is to get defensive with these folks and see them as problems that need fixing NOW. What if we saw these folks not as problems but as people? Not just any people, but those for whom Christ loved so much that He bled and died for them? How would that impact our reaction? How would that shape our goals in tough conversations?
Rev. Schian is the pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Auburn, MI. You can reach him at aaronschian@yahoo.com
The Great Litany. A Great Prayer!
Rev. Michael GrannisCenter for Sciences and Innovation 437
The Litany (a.k.a. The Great Litany) is a prayer rooted in the responsive prayers of the Early Church, as they cried "Kyrie eleison." Early in the Reformation, the Litany fell into disuse. However, in 1529 Luther saw rising threats of invasion in Europe, and reintroduced the Litany in order to petition God for deliverance. He thought it was especially good for the young to be taught to pray The Litany. This prayer became immediately popular among Lutherans. It was one of the most well-known and beloved "Hymns" of the Reformation. Join us as we talk through and sing The Litany.
Rev. Grannis is the pastor of Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lincoln Park, MI. You can reach him at revgrannis@gmail.com.
Trauma, Triggers, and Faith
Rev. Harrison Goodman and Erica Sorensen114 Ruth Taylor Recital Hall
What is trauma and what does it mean when someone is triggered? What does either have to do with someone’s faith? Come to this session with our executive director, Erica Sorensen and our content executive, Pastor Harrison Goodman to learn about the effects of violence and abuse on the mental and spiritual wellbeing of young people. According to the US Department of Health, more than two thirds of the nation’s children report having experienced at least one traumatic event by age 16. Let’s talk about where hope can be found, even in such dark places.
Erica Sorensen is the executive director and Rev. Goodman is the content executive for Higher Things. She's a member of First Lutheran Church in Fontana, CA and he's a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Mt. Vernon, IA. You can reach Erica at erica@higherthings.org and Pastor Goodman at rev.goodman@higherthings.org.
Worship Beyond Reasonable Doubt
Rev. James Douthwaite237 Waxahachie - Coates Student Center
How do we worship Beyond Reasonable Doubt? Can we? Does it matter how we worship? Why do we worship the way we do? What is praise? What is worship? What is liturgy? What is the basis of our worship - its structure or bones? What is our confidence when we gather together? What if I don’t feel like I get anything out of worship? Come think about how Jesus is the reason we worship Beyond Reasonable Doubt.
Rev. Douthwaite is the pastor of Saint Athanasius Lutheran Church in Vienna, VA. You can reach him at revjdoc@gmail.com.
You're Depressed, Now What?
Deaconess Emma HeinzLaurie 110
Congratulations! You have depression! You are now faced with a million contradictory ideas about how you got depression, why you have it, and how to deal with it. Some people will say that medication will fix all your problems. Some people will say that just praying more will make it all better. How does a baptized child of God deal with depression? How should we view those who struggle with depression when their disorder leads to doubt or despair? How can a Christian faithfully suffer with depression? The short answer is through the work of the Holy Spirit, but if you would like a slightly longer answer, come on over.
Deac. Heinz is the registrar for Higher Things, and a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, IN. You can reach her at e.brauckman@gmail.com
5:00 pm - 6:45 pm Dinner
// Mabee Dining Hall
7:00 pm - 7:30 pm Evening Prayer
// Parker Chapel
7:30 pm - 7:45 pm Individual Confession and Absolution
// Parker Chapel
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm Free Time and Entertainment
Ax Throwing against Staff
Intramural Field
Tetramorph Challenge 6
Basketball, Volleyball
Webster Gym
Bumper Balls
Competition Gym
Capture the Flag, 9-Square, Spikeball, Ax Throwing, cornhole.
Intramural Fields
Gaming Truck
Parking Lot S
Joust/Bungee Run
Intramural Fields
Paint Along
Fiesta Room
90 min paint session, please be in the room by 8:15pm
Photo Strip Booth
Parking Lot O
Ping-pong, table-top games
2nd floor Bell Cntr
Sidewalk Chalk Art
Bell Tower Plaza
Tetramorph Challenge 5
Swmming
Outdoor Pool
Bring a towel!
11:00 pm - 11:30 pm Compline
// Dorms
Friday 28 Jul 2023
7:00 am - 8:45 am Breakfast
// Mabee Dining Hall
8:00 am - 8:45 am Choir Rehearsal
// Parker Chapel
9:00 am - 9:30 am Morning Prayer
// Parker Chapel
10:00 am - 11:00 am Plenary 4 — Apologetics and the Conscience
// Laurie Auditorium
Speaker: Rev. Brian Wolfmueller
Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller is pastor of St. Paul and Jesus Deaf Lutheran Churches in Austin, TX. He is the author of Take They Our Life: Martin Luther’s Theology of Martyrdom (2019), A Martyr’s Faith for a Faithless World (CPH, 2019), Has American Christianity Failed? (CPH, 2016) and Final Victory: Contemplating the Death and Funeral of a Christian (CPH, 2010). He is host of What-Not, The Podcast, posts videos on YouTube at wolfmueller1, and has a number of other theological projects that all end up on his blog, www.wolfmueller.co. Bryan is a member of the Doxology Collegium. He and his wife Keri live with their four children in Round Rock, TX.
11:00 am - 12:45 pm Lunch
// Mabee Dining Hall
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Closing Divine Service
// Parker Chapel
2:30 pm - 4:00 pm Check Out
Friday Departures:
8:00 am - 12:30 pm
OR
2:30-4:00 pm
Laurie Auditorium, near Door 2 where the housing table is currently set up.
Keys should be returned in the envelope by the group leader only, as a group, and not individually.
All groups must be checked out by 3:00 pm at the latest.
Saturday Departure:
Until 11:00 am
There will be a keycard Dropbox labeled Higher Things located in the following locations (note these won’t be set out until Friday afternoon):
Prassel Lobby: (level with direct access to Shook, not the lowest level.)
Witt Center: (under the covered entrance)
Myrtle: (Outside the building near the U drive)
North/South Foyer: (indoor area connecting the two halls)
Saturday Departures should simply drop their keycard on their way out. These will be picked up at 11:15 am, and anyone who has not returned their key will need to stop at the Holt Center to do so, located at 106 Oakmont Ct.
House cleaning of rooms:
• Remove all trash from your room bins and properly dispose of at one of Trinity's Trash Receptacle Stations. If you don’t clearly see a TRS, leave the trash contained in the garbage can in your room.
• Clean out all leftover food from your microwave and refrigerator.
• Linens leave in a pile on the floor.
