Lay Leadership Summit 2026

Ann Ciaccio
General, Highlights
May, 28, 2026
Comments Off on Lay Leadership Summit 2026

We are stronger together when we are working together.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10a, 12 (ESV)

What is the Lay Leadership Summit?

From rural to urban ministries, small to large congregations, and whether you are new to church leadership or a seasoned veteran, we are grateful for each of our lay leaders.

With the theme “Together Towards Tomorrow,” the inaugural Lay Leadership Summit held in 2024 sought to gather lay leaders from all parts of the District to worship our Lord, build one another up in our given roles, and provide best practices in order to better equip you to effectively fulfill your service to our Lord and His people. We are blessed to continue this gathering.

2026 Lay Leadership Summit

The 2026 Lay Leadership Summit will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at Walther Christian Academy (900 Chicago Ave., Melrose Park, IL 60160).

This summit is designed to bring together lay leaders from all parts of the District to:

Worship our Lord
Build one another up in our given talents
Provide best practices for effective service
Provide practical application across a number of disciplines

This year’s keynote presenter will be Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing, Director of the Center for Biblical Studies at Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Our third annual Lay Leadership Summit workshops have options ranging from best practices in congregational administration to the latest in healthy small church ministry ideas. There is also a special Youth Ministry (with sessions led by the Rev. Dr. Mark Kiessling, the LCMS Director of Youth Ministry) track for lay members who serve those vital areas of congregational life.

Registration Information: Early bird registration is $25/person. Early bird registration CLOSES July 3, 2026. Regular registration of $40/person begins July 4, 2026. Registration deadline is August 10, 2026.

Consider carpooling as you are able. Due to expected high attendance, parking will be at a premium.
Light breakfast items will be available at check-in.
Lunch is included (please indicate special dietary needs during the registration process.).
Coffee and water will be available. However, it is a long day, so please consider bringing your own refillable water bottle or other beverages as you prefer.
You will again be able to interact with multiple Recognized Service Organizations (RSOs) before, during, and after the Summit.

Please see additional helpful information below:

Agenda

REGISTER HERE

Make plans to join Rev. Dr. Allan R. Buss, President of the LCMS Northern Illinois District, Keynote speaker, Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing, and fellow laity from around the LCMS Northern Illinois District for the Lay Leadership Summit.

Workshop Descriptions (printable PDF here)

Sectional I Workshops 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Church Boards That Work
Dr. Jim Galvin – President, Galvin and Associates
There are five types of governance models currently in use in LCMS congregations across the country. No matter which type you currently operate under, there are practical steps your leadership can take to improve congregational governance. Participants will determine if they should change their current governance model or keep what they have, learn best practices for their type of governance, eliminate bad practices, and identify leverage points for healthy change.

Evangelism That Works
Rev. Dr. Heath Trampe – Director of Discipleship, LCMS Office of National Mission
Does the thought of sharing your faith give you anxiety? Do you worry that you won’t know what to say when the time comes? Do you feel like your congregation could be doing more to reach your community? Finally, do you wish you could share some best practices with your church leaders?

Join Rev. Dr. Heath Trampe, LCMS Director of Discipleship Ministry, as he shares the LASSIE approach for evangelism, the difference between witness and outreach, and real application stories from his many years as a parish pastor, serving three growing congregations in three different districts around the country. Come get some practical information!

Finances for Your Ministry
LeeAnn Acosta and CJ Motisi – NID Staff, Business Manager; Member of NID’s Administrative Services Committee
Delve into the world of church finances. We will share best practices and sound accounting principles to help manage the resources that God has entrusted to the church’s care.

Finishing Well – When a Church’s Ministry is Fulfilled
Rev. Joel Hess and Helen Aavik – Pastor, St. James, Chicago; Former Chair, First Bethlehem, Chicago
It is hard to face a congregation’s ministry coming to an end. There are a myriad of details to address, often by the few remaining members, and all too often, a church closure can feel like a defeat. However, that need not be the case. First Bethlehem’s Helen Aavik, and St. James’, Rev. Joel Hess, tell the story of finishing well for First Bethlehem. It is a story of challenge, but also of grace, good stewardship, and Gospel outreach. For those wondering about the viability of a congregation’s ministry, this presentation brings hope in the midst of difficult considerations.

How 1 of 168 Can Make a Difference
Professor Gary Midkin – Professor at Harper College, Member at St. Matthew, Hawthorn Woods
Building stewardship momentum should begin with Time. First steps must be simple and small to overcome inertia and lack of self-confidence among church members. Creating these first steps and building on them will be the focus of this workshop.

Parables and Possessions
Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing – Director, Center for Biblical Studies, Concordia University, St. Paul
This workshop provides sermons, orders of worship, Bible studies, and devotions—everything you need—to grow financial generosity and grow your church.

Synodical Forecasting – What’s Coming Over the Next Five Years?
Rev. Dr. Nathan Meador – President, LCMS South Wisconsin District
We rightly trust that our future is in the hands of our gracious Lord. As good stewards, it is proper for us to see where ministry is today so that we might best serve our Lord for what seems ahead. Join South Wisconsin District President, the Rev. Dr. Nathan Meado, as he leads participants in considering possible challenges and opportunities that lay ahead for our synod and how they both impact local ministry.

Three Affordable and Easy Technologies That Changed My Church
Rev. Matt Hoffmann – Sr. Pastor, St. Andrew’s, Park Ridge
Do you have 12 different subscriptions and logins for your church? Do you spend hours on communication, only to find it doesn’t really work well? Pastor Matt Hoffmannm will share three technologies which have helped his church consolidate subscriptions, communicate out to the community, communicate with people individually, and listen well to the congregation and school families.

Urban Ministry: The Story of a Turnaround
Rev. Mark Jeske – Pastor, St. Marcus Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, WI
Come hear Pastor Mark Jeske’s story of St. Marcus, an inner-city Milwaukee Lutheran church that had been declining for 50 years, but now draws 640 people in worship each week. Its parish elementary school at one time was near death, but now it may be the largest Lutheran elementary school in the United States with over 1,200 students.

[Youth Ministry] Building Your Volunteer Ministry Leader Team: Recruit, Train, Support
Rev. Dr. Mark Kiessling – Director of Youth Ministry, LCMS
“We need help!” This familiar refrain is heard in many congregations stiving to minister faithfully with and among young people. Attendance patterns have changed, adults and children are often overscheduled, and the desire, or confidence, to serve can be difficult to cultivate. In some cases, congregational structures and governance models provide clarity and support; in others, they unintentionally create barriers to participation.

This workshop invites participants into a practical conversation about how congregations can recruit, train, and support volunteers in meaningful and sustainable ways. While examples will draw heavily from ministry with youth, the principles, questions, and strategies explored apply broadly across congregational life.

Sectional II Workshops 12:50 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.

Church Records: What to Keep, What to Destroy
Rev. David Totsky – Secretary, LCMS Northern Illinois District
From Baptism and Wedding ledgers to offering statements, churches of all sizes have a tremendous number of records. Join District Secretary, Rev. David Totsky, as he coaches your ministry on how best to manage your records; what to save long term, what to destroy, and which should be permanently-kept documents.

Discipleship Today
Rev. Dr. Heath Trampe – Director of Discipleship, LCMS Office of National Mission
At the end of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus commissions His church to make disciples of all nations by baptizing and teaching – gathering the scattered and shepherding the gathered. It sounds simple, but real life can be so complicated. We wish more people would worship each week. We want our Bible studies to be better attended. And we want to make a bigger impact on our community!

Join Rev. Dr. Heath Trampe, LCMS Director of Discipleship Ministry, for a discussion about discipleship. Trampe draws from well over a decade of implementation in the parish, as well as best practices from around the nation, to facilitate the topic in a practical and applicable format.

Seamless Ministry
Rev. Noah Kegly and Principal Donna Laughlin – Pastor & Principal, Immanuel Lutheran Church and School, Batavia
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! (Psalm 133:1) A church and school working hand-in-hand in ministry with a unified mission is pleasing to God. This session will touch on ways that staff members from the church and school, along with members of the congregation, can work together to help each other grow in faith and flourish as a Christ-centered community.

Shepherding with Understanding: The Truth About Alcoholism/Addiction and Its Impact
Dr. Brenda Fann Katula, M.D.
Join Brenda Fann Katula, M.D. for a conversation about what addiction really is, why is grips so tightly, and practical steps for church ministry for shepherding the addicted and their loved ones. You’ll hear from a physician who knows the science of addictions and who has also experienced its impact firsthand after losing her spouse to severe alcoholism. She offers a rare perspective that combines clinical knowledge with the spiritual needs of families affected by addiction.

Someday May Never Come… Start Today!
Rev. David Ficken – Director, LINC Chicago
The perfect moment to start the thing God has put on your heart will never come, which means now could be the right time. Join the team from LINC Chicago to imagine how you can take any kind of idea and start small, build deep, and stay long. P.S. – it doesn’t have to be as intimidating as you might think!

Together in Faith, Intercultural Ministry
Rev. Bo Graham and Rev. Andres Valencia – Pastors, Saint Paul Lutheran Church and School, Mt. Prospect, IL
It is a joy when our Lord brings people of various backgrounds together as a community of faith around His Word and Sacraments. Pastors Bo Grahams and Adres Valencia share the story of Saint Paul, Mt. Prospect, and its intercultural approach to ministry. Participants will discuss challenges, practical “how tos,” and the blessing of becoming an intercultural congregation.

Wellness for Veterans and First Responders in your Congregation
Robert Dorn – Sr. Vice Commander, American Legion Post 171
The lives of veterans and first responders are ones of service and sacrifice that often come at the price of their wellbeing. Participants will learn how to develop relationships with veterans and first responders to assist them and their families in their struggles with wellness-related issues with the mercy and healing of Christ.

What We Say vs. What We Do: Aligning Ministry Priorities
Rev. Chris Singer – CEO, Lutheran Church Charities
Every church has values it names and a mission it believes in—but do our daily decisions, time, and resources truly reflect those priorities? In this interactive workshop, we will explore the often-unseen gap between what we say and what our ministry actually demonstrates. Through guided reflection, conversation, and practical exercises, participants will examine their own leadership context and identify areas of alignment and misalignment. This is not a lecture on theory, but a space for honest dialogue and meaningful discovery. Whether you serve as a pastor, church worker, or lay leader, you will leave with greater clarity—and one or two concrete next steps—to help align your ministry more faithfully with the mission Christ has given His Church.

[Youth Ministry] Stronger Together: Partnering with Neighboring Church in Youth Ministry
Mark Kiessling – Director of Youth Ministry, LCMS
As Lutherans, we share a common theology and confession centered on God’s saving work in Jesus Christ and the call to nurture baptized children and youth as disciples for a lifetime. While that shared foundation unites us, ministry with young people can easily become isolated, limited by congregational boundaries, staffing realities, or available resources

This workshop explores how neighboring churches can partner intentionally in youth ministry for the good of young people, leaders, and congregations. We will reflect on practical and faithful ways to share resources, support leaders, and collaborate in programming without losing congregational identity. Participants will consider how working together can strengthen relationships, expand opportunities for youth, and deepen young people’s understanding of their Lutheran identity as part of the one Body of Christ.

Sectional III Workshops 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

8 Keys for Strengthening Urban Churches
John Glover and Tom Eggebrecht – Ministry Clarity Consultants, Lutheran Church Extension Fund
This workshop will provide practical steps for strengthening ministry in the city, developing leaders, creating and communicating a master plan, and caring for finances and property.

Creating Engaging Fellowship Events
Rev. David Gaddini and Bill Tranchita – Pastor and Director of Hospitality, Fellowship of Faith, McHenry
Wouldn’t it be great to have fellowship events that intentionally build relationships, are well-attended, and that are truly enjoyable? Join Fellowship of Faith’s pastor, David Gaddini, and Hospitality Director, Bill Tranchita, as they help you plan and host fellowship events that are meaningful to ministry and engaging for your community.

Design a Wellness Plan that Works FOR YOU!
Brandy McCoid – Wellness Officer, LCMS Northern Illinois District
Imaging the impact on your life if you could develop a personalized wellness plan! That’s exactly what you’ll do in this workshop; participants will zero in on a specific area(s) of wellness, develop actionable “do-goals,” and discuss next steps in small groups. We’ll also explore the “secret sauce” that makes success foolproof. Get ready to dive into your wellness and discover how you can make sustainable change that matters.

Partnership Models for Ministry
Rev. Kris Whitby – Assistant to the President – Mission and Ministry, LCMS Northern Illinois District
As congregations continue to face limited and even shrinking resources, how can they effectively carry out the mission and ministry of their church? One way to address this concern is through partnering with neighboring LCMS ministries. Rev. Whitby will lead participants through a discussion of the advantages and challenges of various partnership models for effective ministry.

Right-Sizing Your Constitution
Rev. David Totsky – Secretary, LCMS Northern Illinois District
Church constitutions are helpful documents defining a congregation, its ministry content, and its administrative boundaries. Yet, when ministry changes and the constitution does not, the same document can now become a challenge. In this workshop, District Secretary, Rev. David Totsky, will lead participants into practical ways of revising a church constitution to fit current ministry needs.

Safe Schools, Sunday Schools, and Youth Groups
Trip Rodgers – Educational Executive, Congregational Life, LCMS Central Illinois District
This workshop will cover standard practices to protect the youth of your congregation and include the development of policies and practices that help guide your congregation to protect the youth. Topics will include Standards of Care, policies for individuals working with youth, background checks, interaction with youth, fundraising guidelines, protection during VBS, and other relevant topics.

Websites, Communication & Technology for Today’s Church
Craig Mattes – President, Craig Mattes Services
Technology can feel overwhelming for churches—but it doesn’t have to be. In this practical breakout session, we’ll explore simple ways churches can use websites and digital tools to better connect with members, reach guests, communicate events, and support ministry throughout the week. We’ll cover what every church website should include, common communication mistakes churches make online, and easy tech ideas that can make a big impact without requiring a large staff or budget. Whether you church is large or small, this session will offer practical, real-world ideas you can begin using right way.

[Youth Ministry] Warmth, Challenge, and Grace: Talking Confidently with Children and Youth About Hard Questions
Mark Kiessling – Director of Youth Ministry, LCMS
It is not a matter of if, but when children and youth (and even us!) will ask hard questions about the Christian faith and its intersection with everyday life. Some questions arise from a genuine desire to understand Scripture, Lutheran theology and truth more deeply. Others emerge from moments of crisis, doubt, suffering, or direct challenges to faith. Pastors, church workers, parents, and caring adults play an important role in being a listening ear and wise sounding board in these moments. This workshop lifts up warmth, challenge, and grace as a Christ-centered foundation for faithful conversation, even when you think you don’t have all the answers.

During registration, you will be asked to select the workshop sessions you would like to attend. If you are registering a GROUP, please be prepared to select workshop sessions for each attendee.

PLEASE NOTE: We understand that some registrants may experience a “time out” when registering a group. If you are having difficulty, please reach out to the District office for a code which allow you to register in smaller batches. Please contact Sue Green (sue.green@nidlcms.org or 708-223-3116), Ann Ciaccio (ann.ciaccio@nidlcms.org), or call the main District office number (708-449-3020).

Join us for this enriching and empowering event. Let’s journey together towards a stronger and more encouraged tomorrow!

Questions? Email office@nidlcms.org.

WELLNESS: Promoting and encouraging health and vitality in congregations, schools, ministries, professional workers and lay-leaders.