Building a Circle of Care around People Living with Substance Abuse

Session Description: Substance use is prevalent in today’s society and the church is no exception regarding this phenomenon. Many people in our pews are suffering, and it is important for us to consider a measured Biblical response that is based on community and compassion. “Building a Circle of Care around People Living with Substance Abuse” is an opportunity to explore how we can respond to this need within the context of our congregations, both on an individual level as well as within a group setting. The primary aim of this session will be an attempt to focus on how we, as church workers and lay persons, can walk beside someone who is struggling, build systems of care within the church, and address the relevant spiritual issues associated with substance use. Join us as we seek to help those who love our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but don’t know how to take the next step.

Presenter Bio: Before attending Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Reverend Nate Widener was a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) for Southwest Youth and Family Services in Chickasha, OK for approximately ten years. During that time, he helped clients on the path to recovery who suffered from issues that included drug and alcohol use disorders, as well as various co-occurring mental health disorders commonly associated with substance abuse. Additionally, he was the sole facilitator for the Batterer’s Intervention Program (BIP) at his facility and successfully launched the first program of its kind in the southwest part of the state. As a result of his former professional career, he is very focused on wellness both at the individual and congregational level. Currently, his work with St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and School in Fort Wayne, Indiana focuses on the Community of Care, as well as regular ministerial duties.

Comfort and Hope for the Weary Caregiver

Session Description: When the community focus is typically on the one who is ill or disabled, caregivers become hidden. Caregiving for a loved one is unchartered territory. In between doctor appointments and insurance issues, we discover emotions such as guilt, anxiety, confusion, and despair. In our vocation of caregiving, God also brings hope, mercy, and grace. This session will not only seek to make sense of the emotions and the gifts of caregiving but also equip caregivers with practical ways to navigate challenges.

Presenter Bio: Dr. Kim Marxhausen is a seasoned Lutheran educator. While caring for her in-laws, she earned a doctorate in Educational Psychology. Her 30 years of caregiving experience, training, and faith help her see caregiving as a vocation given and supported by God. Kim is the author of Weary Joy: The Caregiver’s Journey, published by Concordia Publishing House.

Compassionate Care for Those with Depression

Session Description: This conversation may forever shape the way that you think about how you care for others in God’s family. Dr. Yahnke will offer engaging clinical perspectives and strategies for use by those who want to respond effectively to those who are hurting. The rates of depression continue to increase as countless individuals battle with depression or deep discouragement. We’ll focus on how to detect and how to respond with confidence to signs and symptoms of depression in children, teens and adults.

Presenter Bio: Dr. Beverly Yahnke is a clinical psychologist serving DOXOLOGY, a Recognized Service Organization of the LCMS, dedicated to providing care, counsel and advanced instruction for LCMS pastors and their parishes. From 2010-2015 she served as Chair and Professor of Psychology at Concordia University Wisconsin. Previously, Dr. Yahnke spent over 20 years in private practice serving church workers and their families in the clinical group she founded in Milwaukee. Dr. Yahnke has written numerous articles about psychology, education and faith, and is a frequently invited speaker for clergy and educator conferences. Concordia Theological Seminary has awarded her with the Doctor of Humane Letters Degree, Honoris Causa and she currently serves as a member of the seminary’s Board of Regents.

Finding Hope in Helping: Preventing Burnout and Compassion Fatigue

Session Description: Burnout and Compassion Fatigue are a reality for many caregivers and ministry leaders affecting every area of their personal, professional, and spiritual life. But the symptoms can go unrecognized. Often leaders recognize they are not at their best, but they are unsure of exactly what is wrong or what to do about it. In this workshop, we will explore what Burnout and Compassion Fatigue are, why they occur, and how to prevent these conditions from wreaking havoc in a leader's life. Participants will walk away with practical tools they can use to support themselves and their teams.

Presenter Bio: Founder of Hope Made Strong and the Church Mental Health Summit, Laura Howe is a mental health clinician and a community development strategist for churches that want to transform their community with care ministries. Laura combines her training as a licensed clinical social worker, addictions and trauma-informed counselor, and compassion fatigue educator to equip the local church to care for their community while supporting local church leaders to overcome and prevent burnout. As a certified associate in project management, Laura brings systems and strategies to build sustainability in care practices so that churches can shift from having programs of care to being known for their culture of care.

Guiding Youth to Find Hope in Mental Health Challenges

Session Description: In this session we will work through myths and facts around youth mental health to broaden our understanding of youth mental health needs, accurately identify our relationship and role within the youth's life, and gain skills to bring hope and the reminder of God’s grace to them in their challenges.

Presenter Bio: Deaconess Heidi Goehmann is a licensed clinical social worker and mental health care provider, theologian, author, and advocate. She received her bachelor's degree in theology and psychology from Concordia University Chicago, and her master's degree in social work from the University of Toledo with an emphasis on children, families, and social justice. Heidi has worked in a variety of clinical and ministry settings including trauma treatment, play-based therapies, and systems research. She is certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. She also has trained in the Gottman Method of Relationship Therapy and the Internal Family Systems model. Heidi specializes in spiritual trauma and invests in communities of all kinds by teaching restorative mental health practices for all ages.

The Balanced Life under the Sun (and Son)

Session Description: Many Americans say they are “so busy,” and that they “feel like they cannot get everything done,” which is causing extra stress and an overall sense of increased anxiety. For years the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) has had a widely used “Wholeness Wheel” that encourages church leaders to consider all the various components in life, and to seek ways to balance these components in healthy ways in light of their Baptismal identity in Jesus Christ.This session will focus on a new Bible study on this “Wholeness Wheel” which was written specifically for lay people by Rev. Dr. Rick Marrs in collaboration with The Lutheran Foundation. This new Bible study will examine how life balance is part of our stewardship of the gifts God has given each of us and how being well and whole in Christ is not about what you do—it’s about who you are in Christ Jesus. This new Bible study focuses on our Baptismal identity into Jesus Christ's death and resurrection as the anchor for our well-being, including relational well-being, emotional well-being, physical well-being, financial well-being, vocational well-being, and intellectual well-being. Come learn how you can lead this Bible study in your congregation, school, or ministry setting so that more people can learn about the wellness God desires for each of us.

Presenter Bio: Rev. Dr. Richard “Rick” Marrs is senior professor of Practical Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Marrs was called to the faculty in the fall of 2006. He previously served as the dean of faculty (2010–13), director of Continuing Education and Parish Services (2007–09) and director of the Master of Divinity (M.div.) and Residential Alternate Route (RAR) Programs (2013-21). Before coming to the Seminary, he served at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Junction City, Kan. (2000–06), first as a vicar and then as a pastor. He was a professor of psychology and a counselor at St. John’s College in Winfield, Kan. (1983–86; admissions counselor 1982–83), and at Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Ill. (1986–98). He also has done counseling, clinical and consulting work with many other agencies and institutions. Marrs received certification for pastoral ministry through the Seminary’s RAR Program and earned his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) both from Concordia Seminary (2001, 2008). He also holds an Associate of Arts (A.A.) from St. John’s College (1978); a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Concordia College, River Forest, Ill. (now Concordia University Chicago) (1980); a Master of Science (M.S.) in counseling from the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kan. (1985); and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in counseling psychology from Loyola University Chicago in Chicago, Ill. (1994). He has been licensed as a psychologist since 1996.

In 2019, Marrs published the book “Making Christian Counseling More Christ Centered,” which focuses on the relevance of Luther’s soul-care theology in Christian counseling (WestBow Press). It was translated into Spanish (“Haciendo Mas Cristocentrica La Consejeria Cristiana”) in 2022 by the LCMS Mission to Latin America and the Caribbean, and distributed by the organization to hundreds of Lutheran pastors and church workers in Latin America. He continues and expands the book’s ideas as a conference speaker and in a blog series on “Concordia Theology.”

Trauma Informed Ministry

Session Description: Drawing on over a decade of experience with the at-risk children and families of Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, Chaplain Jones will introduce the concepts of trauma and traumatic experiences and discuss their physiological impacts on brain development. He will also explain the tenants of Trauma-Informed care and its approach to helping those impacted by traumatic life circumstances. The session will also look to the example of Scripture to see how God has modeled trauma-informed ideas in his gracious provision for his people throughout the history of salvation. Finally, the session will draw on actual experiences of success and struggle from the Ranch to help us learn best practices in how to apply trauma-informed tools to be a blessing and a demonstration of God’s selfless love for those we serve in our various ministries.

Presenter Bio: Rev. Rick Jones is the Chaplain and Vice President of Spiritual Life for Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch. In his work at the Ranch, he strives to help youth impacted by abuse, neglect, unhealthy home environments, mental health struggles, and other traumatic experiences to find hope and healing in the unconditional, unceasing love of Christ. Since 2012, Chaplain Rick has lived in Minot, North Dakota with his wife, Betsy, and their three elementary age boys, Jonas, Judah, and Jeremiah. They enjoy spending time exploring and experiencing the wonders of God’s creation in the great outdoors and the intricate joys of creativity in stories, art, and music.