"Fellowship As the Body of Christ"--The Seventh Annual Theological Conference of The Augustana Ministerium & Confraternity

Surprisingly, in a time when the pendulum seems to have swung to the "right," faithful Lutheran pastors who take their call and ordination vows seriously continue to be disposed of precisely for being faithful. This assault on the Office of the Holy Ministry--which we confess was instituted by Christ Himself according to AC V "That we may obtain this faith" of the Chief Article, AC IV--if anything, has intensified of late. The faithful exercise of this office in regard to the public administration of the Sacrament of the Altar is almost always a primary bone of contention when a pastor is wrongfully deposed. The Augustana Ministerium & Confraternity is a pastoral association and supportingconfraternity of laymen formed to preserve and promote Lutheran pastors and adistinctively Lutheran Ministry of Word and Sacrament to Lutheran congregations in the face of such assaults. As such it exists to defend, encourage, and admonish its members; to upholdthe Office of the Holy Ministry, to foster missionary activity; and to promotethe raising up of qualified men into this holy office. This year’sSeventh Annual Theological Conference of The Augustana Ministerium & Confraternity seeks to confront thisabominable situation in our Lutheran churches by examining “Fellowship As theBody of Christ” August 7-9, 2012 @ Quality Inn & Suites, Elk Grove Village,IL. Registration details as well as the slate of presenters and topics follows my signature. This promises to be a vigorous and enlightening three days of theological study, fraternal discussion, and good old Lutheran Gemütlichkeit. You can find out more about The Augustana Ministerium & Confraternity, make donations, and register for the Conference at our website, http://augustanaministerium.org/. The Rev. Kurt M. Hering, Dean of Pastoral Care The Augustana Mnisterium http://augustanaministerium.org/ Presenters and topics include: Rev. Robin Fish Jr. (Former Pastor and organist, LC-MS) "Fellowship and the Office of the Holy Ministry: Suffering and Honor in the Body of Christ" Rev. Bruce Ley (Pastor, Holy Cross Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod of Albany, OR; BoD-Association of Confessing Evangelical Lutheran Congregations) "When Fellowship Isn't Fellowship: What Are Pastors and Congregations to Do? An Alphabet Soup from ACELC [intraSynod] to TAM [intraLutheran]and beyond [ACLC/ELDoNA fellowship agreement]." Rev. Brian Saunders (President, LC-MS Iowa East District)--"Communion Casuistry" Rev. Gregory Schultz (Pastor, LC-MS, Eastern District)--"Authority and Discipline: Their Roles in Fellowship As the Body ofChrist." Rev. Terry Small (Pastor, Saint John Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod of Homestead, IA)--"Closed Communion: Where are the Boundaries" The theological portion of the program is open to members and non-members, clergy and laity alike. The Plenary Session of the Ministerium will be open to all attendees, except during an executive session, should one be called. The cost of the conference will be $30. (For members of The Augustana Ministerium or The Augustana Confraternity, having paid your 2012 dues—$50 for Ministerium members, $40 for Confraternity members—this $30 fee is covered by said dues. Thus, membership in the Ministerium or Confraternity is an amazing value for those who are able to attend the conference…and still a very good value for those who cannot attend!) Make checks payable to: The Augustana Ministerium c/o The Rev. Gregory J. Schultz, Bursar 721 Payne Avenue North Tonawanda, NY 14120 Discounted rooms are available at the Quality Inn & Suites for those attending the Conference and Plenary. Rates of $69.99 per night for a room with one king bed, or $74.99 per night for a room with two double beds are available when reservations are made before July 1st. Conference and Lodging location: Quality Inn & Suites, Elk Grove Village, IL (Chicago/O’Hare area) 100 Busse Road Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 (847) 593-8600 http://www.qualityinn.com/hotel-elk_grove_village-illinois-IL275 Please be sure to mention the Augustana Ministerium for the group rates, before July 1st. For further information or questions, please call Rev. Anthony Oncken at (847) 548-0448, or e-mail at onckenar@hotmail.com.