The next Iowa District West Pastors Conference will be held at Best Western Starlite Village, 1518 3rd Avenue NW, Fort Dodge on September 9-10, 2019. Our conference presenter will be Dr. Tom Egger on the topic, “Themes in Exodus.”
There is only one congregational fee of $40 for this Conference which is paid by each parish. For example, a congregation having three professional church workers attending would pay a flat $40 congregational charge, which includes the church workers’ meals. There is no fee for spouses of workers to attend the sessions or for pastors who are retired. Meal costs for spouses/children are extra and can be found on the registration form. Multi-point parishes, including those identified by the Synod (formerly permanent vacancies served by another congregation), will be treated as one parish for the $40 fee. Congregations are requested to provide for the expenses of the conference for the pastor and wife and the Emeriti pastor under contract and wife. We would like to thank IDW and acknowledge that the professional church worker fee for this conference is being financially offset through the District’s ministry partnership agreement with Brotherhood Mutual.
Housing arrangements are to be made directly with the motel/hotel by each participant. Participants will need to make those arrangements ASAP to ensure that a room is reserved for them. Conference lodging has been arranged at the Best Western Starlite Village, 1518 3rd Avenue NW, Fort Dodge. The direct number to the hotel is 515-573-7177. A block of rooms has been reserved for the conference. The per-night cost plus taxes, which includes a full hot breakfast is $55 for single queen, $61 single king, and $75 for a double queen. Please note that room rates are only guaranteed until August 10. Please call Best Western as soon as possible to make your arrangements. See the link on the agenda for a map from the church to the hotel. Childcare will not be provided at this conference.
Talk with your elders/leaders about attending this required IDW conference. The registration form will hopefully answer all questions about registration matters. As always, we can use your help in planning for food at St. Paul by filling out and emailing your registration information to dmartensfaith@yahoo.com by August 28. You may also call me at 515-386-3517.
Plan to have your picture taken while at the Pastors Conference. Lifetouch Photography will be at the Best Western tentatively from 1-5 pm on Monday, September 9 and from 8 am-noon on Tuesday, September 10. Only those photographed will receive a directory from Lifetouch.
We thank our congregations for their support and encouragement of the continued growth of our pastors and professional church workers.
When: August 16-17, 2019
Where: Camp Okoboji, Milford
Program Cost: $30 (includes the program fee and instructional materials)
Registration: At the www.doxology.us website or direct link: www.doxology.us/events/2019-more-than-giving-ia-insight.
Led by the Synod’s Stewardship Director Rev. Heath Curtis and Assistant Director Rev. Dr. Nathan Meador, this conference will equip pastors and laity to think biblically and “Lutheranly” about financial stewardship in its broader context.
Your team or a committee from your church will bring home:
We share with the leadership of our congregations the names and ordination dates of Iowa District West pastors who will celebrate “special” ordination anniversaries in 2019. Congregations are encouraged to observe these ministry milestones with an appropriate celebration.
If we have erred or failed to include someone who is observing an anniversary this year, please contact Jill Davis at the District office.
We rejoice and give thanks to God with these gifts to His Church.
The Human Care Committee shares the following Bible studies to help carry out resolution 2-04 from the 2015 district convention: Resolved, that the congregations, schools and other ministries of Iowa District West be encouraged to incorporate at least one intentional act of Christian mercy into their annual ministry plans with the goal of serving especially the citizens and institutions of their local community. May it make your congregation aware of the opportunities in your local community to share God’s mercy.
Leader Guides | Participant Guides
Preparing Congregational Leadership for Ministry with Christ.