Sectionals

Bach Among the Angels
Dr. Jason Thompson
After having celebrated the Divine Service of the Holy Angels, come listen to and analyze one of Bach’s cantatas for the Feast of St. Michael. First we will read through and analyze the text. Dr. Thompson will then highlight some of the unique compositional features before listening through the 15-minute work. Come feast your ears on the work of the fifth Evangelist.
The Law, Virtue, and the Christian Life
Rev. Dr. Gifford A. Grobien
This breakout will consider the place of the Law in the New Testament and for the Christian life. It will engage some contemporary questions, such as the what the Law is, the Third Use of the Law, the viability of virtue ethics in Christianity, and Christian spirituality. It will be run in a forum format to allow for plenty of questions and discussion.
How to Go Further in Bible Study: Tips from Lutheran Orthodoxy
Rev. Dr. Benjamin T.G. Mayes
All Christians should study the Bible, but how? Go beyond simply reading Scripture with these tips given by early Lutheran theologians and pastors (such as Martin Luther and Johann Gerhard). Topics include: Bible study tools, Bible reading plans, categories and distinctions for organizing biblical knowledge and theology, how to reconcile apparent contradictions in Scripture, and how to find Christ in the Old Testament without resorting to fanciful interpretations.
How you actually get hacked: tech security for normal people
Mr. Jody Lent.
 We’ll cover three basic questions in tech security: What is my threat model? What options do I have to address it? How do I decide between them?
Practical Apologetics: How to talk to your protestant family members about Biblical theology
Rev. Michael N. Frese
Politics, Religion, and Post-modernism: A Guide to Sanity in an Insane World
Mr Matthew Garnett
This is a crash course in 21st century political and religious philosophy.  Why do people tell you there’s no difference between a man and a woman?  Why is it a “good idea” to have a million illegal immigrants annually?  Are you a racist?  Why is every religion in the world is great – except Christianity?  Do Lutherans want to get in on the action?
Issues with the afterlife: soul sleep, holy marriage, and toilets
Rev. David H. Petersen
This sectional will take on various aspects of what we know about the afterlife from Holy Scripture and how it has sometimes been misconstrued. It will  also consider several open questions and the various possibilities and what is at stake.
Secrets of Organ Leadership for Strong Congregational Response
Rev. Dr. Daniel Reuning
Have you ever wondered why it is so easy to sing hymns and the liturgy led by some organists, but so difficult when led by others. Kantor Reuning will be revealing several secrets of organ (or keyboard) leadership, the mastery of which is guaranteed to encourage strong congregational participation. Technically, he will demonstrate how harmony and stylistic variety provide the rhythmic impetus and drive to accomplish that goal.
Youth Track
Mr. Matthew Garnett, Seminarist Luke Elowsky
This year there will be presentations and activities geared specifically to the youth during all sectional time slots.

Presenters

Rev. Michael N. Frese earned a B.A. from Concordia University, Seward, in 1997. He completed the Master of Divinity degree from Concordia Theological Seminary in 2002, having spent one of those years at the seminary in Oberursel, Germany. While studying for his Masters of Sacred Theology, which he completed in 2004, he stayed at CTSFW as a graduate assistant for the Systematics Department. He served as a parish pastor in Adell, Wisconsin, and a Military Chaplain (Active-duty Army) before accepting the call to become Associate Pastor of Redeemer Lutheran. Pr. Frese still serves as a Military Chaplain as the Wing Chaplain of the 122nd Fighter Wing in the Air National Guard in Fort Wayne. He is also the owner and operator of Emmanuel Press. He and his wife Janet have three children.

Mr. Matthew Garnett is the husband of Jennifer, the father of two children, a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana, truck driver, and host of the “In Layman’s Terms” podcast.

Revd. Dr. Gifford A. Grobien is Associate Professor of Systematic Theology and Director of the D.Min. Program at Concordia Theological Seminary. His research interests include Christian formation, the natural law, sanctification, and some topics in sacramental and liturgical studies. He teaches courses in the Lutheran Confessions, theological ethics, dogmatic theology, pastoral theology, and the Psalms. Dr. Grobien’s Christian Character Formation: Lutheran Studies of the Law, Anthropology, Worship, and Virtue was published by Oxford University Press in June. Dr. Grobien has been married to his wife Regina since 1995 and they have eight children and two grandchildren.

Mr. Jody Lent writes software for Grubhub, Inc., the top food delivery app in the US. He and his wife Rachel and their children are members of Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes is assistant professor of historical theology at Concordia Theological Seminary, and the editor-arranger of the Brotherhood Prayer Book

Rev. David H. Petersen has been Pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church since 2000. He earned a B.S. in History from Central Michigan University as well as Master of Divinity, Master of Sacred Theology, and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne.  In addition to his pastoral duties he is also an editor of Gottesdienst: The Journal of Lutheran Liturgy, where he writes on the life and liturgy of the Church. He has been married to Jacqui for 31 years and they have three grown children and three grandchildren.

Rev. Dr. Daniel Reuning has served Redeemer Lutheran Church as its Kantor since 1988.  After completing his Seminary education, he attended the School of Sacred Music at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, where in 1962 he earned a Masters degree in Church Music, with concentrations in choral conducting, organ performance, and liturgy.  As a pastor, Rev. Reuning has served a parish in New York City (1960-1962) and in rural Connecticut (1962-1968).  Then from 1968-1999 he taught at Concordia Theological Seminary, serving as Professor of Liturgy, Dean of the Chapel, and Director of Choral Music.  In 2001 he received a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Illinois, with concentrations in sacred choral repertory and conducting. In 2002 he founded the Bach Collegium—Fort Wayne, a baroque music ensemble of 40 singers and 15 early instrumentalists, and this fall he begins his 16th season as its artistic director.  As a conductor, Dr. Reuning has conducted more than 50 Bach cantatas, all the major works of J. S. Bach, and many works by other early music composers.  His passion, whether at the organ bench or on the conductor’s podium, is leading church music that proclaims the Gospel.

Dr. Jason Thompson is a professional conductor and violinist. He has been teaching music at Indiana Wesleyan University for twelve years. He has a bachelor’s degree in violin and conducting from Indiana University, a masters in orchestral conducting from Bowling Green State University, and holds a Doctor of Music in Early Music from Indiana University.