Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, together with Peace Officer Ministries, will host “Christian Law Enforcement Chaplaincy—Theology and Practice,” May 19-23, on the Seminary campus. This workshop will offer unique accredited training for chaplains, peace officers and pastors, focusing on effective Christian ministry to and through law enforcement.

The workshop will explore issues such as adopting a sound biblical theology; understanding law enforcement as vocation (God’s calling); distinguishing and properly applying Law and Gospel and God’s Two Kingdoms within a law enforcement context; addressing practical, legal, historical, cultural and missiological considerations; employing Christian stress management and officer spiritual survival strategies; and identifying characteristics of a competent Christian chaplain. The main presenters will be Rev. Steve Lee and Mike Dahmer.

Rev. Steve Lee is executive director of Peace Officer Ministries, Inc. (POM), a national Christian non-profit 501c3 law enforcement chaplaincy he founded in 1996. POM produces materials for officers and chaplains, including a special law enforcement edition Bible and a book by Lee titled “Backup on the Beat.” Previously, he served as a California peace officer, a volunteer federal law enforcement chaplain and was part of an FBI chaplaincy advisory working group. He worked in a variety of roles during his law enforcement career, including police officer, sheriff’s deputy and sergeant, and federal special agent. He ministered at incidents such as Columbine, Ground Zero and Hurricane Katrina, receiving commendations from Dr. James Dobson, ATF, NYPD and President George Bush. Additionally, Lee has served as a pastor of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod since 1992.

He received the A.A. degree in law enforcement from West Valley College; the B.A. degree in psychology from Azusa Pacific University; and the M.Div. degree from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind. He is International Conference of Police Chaplains Master Chaplain certified, International Critical Incident Stress Foundation certified, and Department of Homeland Security certified.

Mike Dahmer, BSEE, P.E., is a former law enforcement officer and current licensed professional engineer with expertise in national security, counter-terrorism and homeland security. He serves as an instructor in these areas at Idaho State University, Louisiana State University and other institutions. He also serves as president and CEO of Systems Associates, Inc., a general engineering design practice for the private sector, government and other public sectors; Jerome County (ID) Disaster Services Communications Coordinator; and serves on the U.S. Regulatory Fairness Board by presidential appointment.

Concordia Seminary faculty presenters will be Dr. Robert Kolb, mission professor of systematic theology and director of the Institute for Mission Studies, and Dr. Jeffrey Oschwald, associate professor of exegetical theology.

Don Axcell, retired sergeant of London Metropolitan Police (Scotland Yard) and executive director of Christian Police Association in the United Kingdom; William G. Jones, assistant chief of Perryville Police Department, Perryille, Mo.; and Rev. Glenn F. Merritt, director of disaster response at LCMS World Relief and Human Care, St. Louis, Mo., will also present..

The cost to attend “Law Enforcement Chaplaincy—Theology and Practice” is $295 and includes four breakfasts, five lunches and two dinners. Housing is not included. A total of 2.7 CEUs are available for full participation.

For more information, contact the Office of Continuing Education and Parish Services at (314) 505-7486, [email protected]; or visit the Seminary’s Web site at www.csl.edu.