Multiethnic Symposium
We Believe in One Holy Catholic Church
Reclaiming Our Catholicity Through the Multiethnic Church
April 30-May 1, 2024
The word catholic is a rich and expressive term that urgently conveys the truth that God intends His church to include people from “every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” (Rev. 7:9 ESV). In the Nicene Creed we confess, “We believe in one holy catholic church.” Many of us do not say it that way anymore. Our Lutheran tradition confesses one holy Christian church rather than one holy catholic church. Without a doubt, the church is Christian; however, the word catholic, the term used in the earliest versions of the Nicene Creed, makes manifest that the true church we confess is a church that embraces God’s people in all their cultural, linguistic and ethnic diversity. How marvelous it is to experience just a taste of what that means as we study and pray together at this Multiethnic Symposium. How important it is to see the different colors of God’s saints, to hear prayers and praise in many tongues, and to turn our minds and hearts to the challenges and opportunities before us to “proclaim the excellencies of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9 ESV).
Symposium Highlights
Plenaries presented by:
- Dr. Jeffrey Kloha, Chief Curatorial Officer, Museum of the Bible, Washington, D.C.
- Dr. Larry Vogel, Associate Executive Director for the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations, St. Louis, Mo.
- Dr. Thurman Williams, Director of Homiletics, Covenant Theological Seminary, and Pastor, New City Fellowship – West End, St. Louis, Mo.
The 18th Annual Lecture in Hispanic/Latino Theology and Mission
“Mi casa es su casa: Hispanic/Latino Insights on Being the Church Catholic in an Age of Migration”
Lecture:
Dr. Leopoldo A. Sanchez M., Werner R.H. Krause and Elizabeth Ringger Krause Professor of Hispanic Ministries, Professor of Systematic Theology and Director of the Center for Hispanic Studies at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis
Response:
Dr. Laerte Tardelli Helwig Voss, Missionary Director, Lutheran Mission Society, San Diego, Calif.
Registration
Registration is now closed. If you have questions or need help, please contact Continuing Education at 314-505-7286 or [email protected].
Schedule
Tuesday, April 30
| TIME | EVENT | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
| 7:45-8:30 a.m. | Registration Open | Sieck Hall Foyer |
| 7:45 a.m.-4 p.m. | Coffee, Refreshments and Sponsor Fair | Coffee available all day Sieck Hall 201/202 |
| 8:30-9 a.m. | Chapel | Service of the Word
Dr. Samuel Deressa, Assistant Professor of Theology and Global South, Fiechtner Chair for Christian Outreach and Director of DCO Program, Concordia University, Saint Paul, Minn. |
| 9-9:45 a.m. | Registration Reopens | Sieck Hall Foyer |
| 9:45-10 a.m. | Welcome and Introduction | Dr. Thomas J. Egger, President, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis
Dr. Ely Prieto, Associate Professor of Practical Theology, Lutheran Foundation Professor of Urban and Cross-Cultural Ministry, and Associate Dean for Urban and Cross-Cultural Ministry, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo. |
| 10-11 a.m. | Plenary | Do We Really Believe in the ‘Catholic Church?’ And Why It Matters
Dr. Larry Vogel, Associate Executive Director, LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations, The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, St. Louis, Mo. |
| 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Lunch | Included with paid registration Wartburg and Koburg Halls |
| 1-2:30 p.m. | Annual Lecture | The 18th Annual Lecture in Hispanic and Latino Theology and Mission
“Mi casa es su casa: Hispanic/Latino Insights on Being the Church Catholic in an Age of Migration” Dr. Leopoldo A. Sanchez M., Werner R.H. Krause and Elizabeth Ringger Krause Professor of Hispanic Ministries, Professor of Systematic Theology and Director of the Center for Hispanic Studies, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo. Response Dr. Laerte Tardelli Helwig Voss, Missionary Director, Lutheran Mission Society, San Diego, Calif. |
| 2:45-3 p.m. | Coffee Break | Sieck Hall Foyer |
| 3-4 p.m. | Plenary | All Those Who Call Upon the Name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, in Every Place: The Unity of the Church and the Nations in the New Testament
Dr. Jeffrey Kloha, Chief Curatorial Officer, Museum of the Bible, Washington, D.C. |
| 4:30-6:30 p.m. | Dinner | Festival of Nations Dinner
Available for all participants |
| 7-8:30 p.m. | Chapel Service | Celebration Service of Holy Communion
Dr. Ely Prieto, Associate Professor of Practical Theology, Lutheran Foundation Professor of Urban and Cross-Cultural Ministry, and Associate Dean for Urban and Cross-Cultural Ministry, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo. Rev. Vue Lee, Assistant to the President for Missions, LCMS Minnesota South District |
Wednesday, May 1
| TIME | EVENT | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
| 8-8:30 a.m. | Coffee, Refreshments and Sponsor Fair | Coffee available all day Sieck Hall 201/202 |
| 8:30-9 a.m. | Chapel | Service of the Word
Dr. Laerte Tardelli Helwig Voss, Missionary Director, Lutheran Mission Society, San Diego, Calif. |
| 9:15-10:15 a.m. | Plenary | Ministry to and through the Multiethnic Church
Dr. Thurman Williams, Director of Homiletics, Covenant Theological Seminary and Pastor of New City Fellowship – West End, St. Louis, Mo. |
| 10:30 a.m.-noon | Roundtable Discussion | Rev. Vue Lee, Assistant to the President for Missions, LCMS Minnesota South District
Rev. Germán Novelli Jr., Pastor, Grace Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, Wis. Dr. Samuel Deressa, Assistant Professor of Theology and Global South, Concordia University, Saint Paul, Minn. |
| 12:15-12:30 p.m. | Closing | Closing Remarks, Prayer and Departure Werner Auditorium |
| 12:45-1:15 p.m. | Lunch | Boxed lunches are included with paid registration Koburg Hall |
Additional Continuing Education Opportunities
Faith and Writing Workshop
Concordia Seminary’s “Faith and Writing” workshop explores various forms of creative writing — starting a blog, creating a sermon or devotion, “traditional” forms of creative writing (story, nonfiction, drama, poetry) — and everything in between.
Lay Bible Institute
Calling lay people, students involved in homiletical education, pastors and others interested in the proclamation of the Gospel in today’s world: the Lay Bible Institute is for you!
Pre-Lenten Workshop
The Pre-Lenten Workshop includes sermon manuscripts, textual notes, orders of service for midweek services and also suggestions for the Sundays of Lent to help pastors in developing their own worship resources.
Theological Symposium
Parish pastors, LCMS district and Synod officials, Seminary and Concordia University students and faculty, and interested laypersons attend each year to delve into some of the most pressing issues of our time. One CEU is available for attending the Symposium.
Workshop Series
Hosted by congregations across the country May through August, and led by Seminary faculty, these workshops offer an opportunity to delve deeply into topics ranging from the teachings of Martin Luther to pastoral tools, such as preaching, responding to conflict and teaching confirmation.