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The 44th Annual Rural Ministry Conference

March 9-11, 2025
Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa

Form Follows Mission: 
Creative Ways STaR Congregations are Adapting for the Sake of Vitality and Sustainability in Mission and Ministry.
An Invitation from the Director of the Center for Theology and Land, Rev. Dr. Mark Yackel-Juleen:
In response to the on-going challenges of demographic, economic, and cultural change, small town and rural (STaR) congregations and small membership congregations in metropolitan contexts and their judicatories are creating and/or recreating a spectrum of innovative responses in leadership training and missional form to sustain and enhance the sustainability and vitality of mission and ministry.  We will gather to learn what God is doing out there, cross-pollinate with ideas from one place which might work in another, and dream together (Acts 2:17) and perhaps perceive of a new thing (Isaiah 43:19).
Our Keynote Speakers and our Bible Study Leader will engage us in theological reflection, and our breakout sessions and workshops will inspire us with examples of how to faithfully engage this calling on behalf of creation and provide opportunities to dialogue, dream, and network in practical ways toward that goal.

Speakers

Leaders and Speakers

Featured Keynote Speaker: Pastor Nancy Nyland

Pastor Nancy Nyland has a passion for rural ministry and small membership congregations in any context. She earned a B.S. in Education in elementary education (1979) and a M.S. in Education in counseling (1980) from Eastern Illinois University. After working for six years in higher education at University of North Dakota and South Dakota State University, she attended Luther Northwestern Seminary in St. Paul, MN earning her MDiv (1986-1990). She was ordained in 1990. She served as pastor at First Lutheran and East Lake Andes Lutheran, Lake Andes, SD (1990-2003). She served as pastor at St. Peter Lutheran, Bassett, NE and St. John’s Lutheran, Atkinson, NE (2003-2011). Moving from the parish to a call in the wider church, she served as Director for Evangelical Mission (DEM) in the Indiana-Kentucky Synod from July 2011 through September 2024. During her time as DEM, she collaboratively developed a transformational ministry process, a spiritual renewal process, and a shared ministry process for congregations in the synod. She also has led Congregational Vitality trainings across the ELCA, worked with congregations in transition, and assisted congregations with visioning and identifying their purpose and guiding principles. Returning to the parish, Pastor Nancy began a new call as pastor at Bethany Lutheran in Indianapolis, IN on December 1, 2024. Pastor Nancy enjoys teaching practical ministry principles with a touch of creativity, fun, and enthusiasm.

Tuesday Keynote Speaker: Coming soon!

Bible Study Leader: Coming Soon!

Schedule

Schedule

Sunday, March 9, 2025
3:00 pm – Registration
5:45 pm – Introductions and Prayer
6:00 pm – Dinner
7:00 pm – Keynote – Pastor Nancy Nyland
“Claiming Hope in a Changing World”
Monday, March 10, 2025
9:00 am Welcome Opening Prayer –Bible Study
10:15 – Break
10:30-11:45 – Keynote – Pastor Nancy Nyland
12:00-1:00 –Lunch
1:30 – 5:00 Breakouts
6:30 – 8:00 pm– Banquet
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
8:30-9:15 am–Bible Study
9:45 – Break
9:30 – General Session – Rev. Dr. Mark Yackel-Juleen
11:00 am – Worship Service –
12:00 – Boxed Lunches and Farewell

44th  Annual Rural Ministry Conference

Breakouts

Workshop Options

Breakout session information coming soon!

Register

Registration Details

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2025 Conference

More information coming soon!