2026 Conference
September 14-15, 2026
Zion Lutheran Church
121 2nd St. S.
Ellendale, ND 58436
The Response of the Church in a Time of Disease
When faced with plague and pestilence, how should the Church respond? Is it right to stay, or do we have an obligation to flee? How have Christians acted in the past? Do we have anything to learn from our recent experiences? Do we need to do something different in the future?
2026 Conference
September 14-15, 2026
The following schedule is from last year. The new one will be updated once it has been finalized.
Monday, September 29
12:30 Arrival and Check In
12:55 Welcome and Introductions: Rev. Paul Preus
1:00 Keynote #1: Rev. Rolf Preus
1:50 Questions
2:00 Break
2:10 Paper #1: Rev. Dr. Matt Richard: “True Christian Fellowship? An Examination of Koinonia & 4 False Views
2:55 Questions
3:05 Break
3:15 Paper #2: Rev. Bernie Worral: “The Ecumenical Sacrament: Baptism and the Holy Christian Church”
4:00 Questions
4:10 Break
4:20 Keynote #2: Rev. Rolf Preus
5:10 Questions
5:20 Supper
6:30 Vespers
7:15 Gemütlichkeit
Tuesday, September 17
8:00 Matins
8:45 Keynote #3: Rev. Rolf Preus
9:35 Questions
9:45 Break
9:55 Paper #3: Rev. Michael Grieve: “Church Fellowship is Altar and Pulpit Fellowship”
10:40 Questions
10:50 Break
11:00 Paper #4: Rev. Tom Park: “The Lutheran Theology of Church Fellowship in the Mission Field”
11:45 Questions
11:55 Lunch
12:45 Paper #5: Rev. Matthew Christensen: “The Divine Service in the LCMS: Is Unity or Diversity our Strength? Strategic Analysis from an Army Chaplain’s Perspective”
1:30 Questions
1:40 Break
1:50 Keynote #4: Rev. Rolf Preus
2:40 Questions
2:50 Break
3:00 Paper #6: Rev. Christopher Neuendorf: “The Biblical Doctrine of Fellowship as the Primary Rationale for the Practice of Closed Communion”
3:45 Questions
3:55 Break
4:05 Roundtable Discussion
5:00 Closing Comments and Prayer