Go First!

A District Initiative

 

 

 
 

THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING THE GO FIRST! MINISTRY CONFERENCE!

Our prayer is that it was a time of learning, encouragement, and motivation to “Go First!” in your congregation and community! Please take a moment to complete the conference evaluation by following this QR code:

Go First! Conference Evaluation

 
 

We had a great time at the go first! ministry conference!

look at these photos!!

The first ever Minnesota South District Go First! Ministry Conference will be held at Concordia Academy in Roseville, MN on April 19 – 20, 2024. Pastors, parish professionals, educators, and lay people are all invited to experience the encouragement and inspiration of this FREE two-day event. Break-out sessions will be led by people involved with ministries that can be replicated in your congregation and community and are focused on one or more of the Go First! areas of Life Together, Soul Care, Intentional Outreach, or Collaboration.

HURRY! REGISTRATION IS LIMITED TO 400 PARTICIPANTS! REGISTER NOW!

 

  • Registration is fast and easy!

  • A short summary of each of the break-out sessions. Click here!

    These may change as the conference draws closer.

  • Learn about the presenters here. Additional speakers may be added as the conference draws closer.

  • See what your day will look like at the Go First! Ministry Conference by viewing a draft of the agenda.

  • Parking locations can be found HERE

  • Traveling to the Go First! Ministry Conference? Here is a list of local hotels to consider. PLEASE NOTE: You are responsible for your own lodging accommodations. There are no rooms block off at any of the hotels for the conference.

  • The current vendor list can be found here.

    If you are a vendor wishing to have a display at the conference, please contact Christina Krentz | 952-223-2162

  • Read through the ways you can help make the Go First! Ministry Conference a success. Then volunteer to help make this an event to remember!

  • Feel free to use these resources to prepare your congregation for the conference.

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    Conference Image

 

 
 

Registration is Open!

To register:

  • Select the quantity of tickets needed on the ticket below and click register.

The deadline to register is April 10, 2024.

 

 

Get the Whova App!

 
 

Use the QR code below and you will be able to download the Whova app for free.

(Note: The QR code also has a section to install a premium version at a cost. To receive the free app, choose “Download on the App Store” or “Get it on Google Play.”)

 

 
 

Hotel Information

Traveling to the Go First! Ministry Conference? Here is a list (not comprehensive) of local hotels. PLEASE NOTE: Participants are responsible to make their own lodging arrangements. There will not be blocked-off rooms at any of the hotels.

 

Country Inn & Suites

2740 Snelling Avenue N. | Roseville, MN

(3.4 miles from Concordia Academy)

Double Tree by Hilton

2540 N. Cleveland Avenue | Roseville, MN

(4.5 miles from Concordia Academy)

Hampton Inn

2050 Iona Lane W. | Roseville

(4.4 miles from Concordia Academy)

Home 2 Suites

by Hilton

2020 Iona Lane W. | Roseville, MN

 
 

 
 

Sign up to meet with a member of the Financial Education Team at Concordia Plan Services (CPS)! At the Go First! Ministry Conference, Paul Snyder will be available to meet with those enrolled in CPS on a one-to-one basis to discuss questions regarding your benefits, especially those related to saving for the future and your pension.

Paul is a graduate of Concordia River Forest (now Concordia University Chicago), and began working for CPS in 1982. He enjoys opportunities to help those serving the Church as they plan for the future.

Sign up to meet with Paul Snyder for a 30 minute individual discussion of your CPS benefits. He will be located in room 135.

Paul Snyder, Financial Education Team, CPS

 

 

MN SOUTH GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE CHANGE PROPOSALS 

Over the past year and a half, the Board of Directors for the Minnesota South District have been learning about the advantages of a hybrid policy governance structure.  This is the model and structure the Synod Board of Directors uses to conduct its work. Making a change to this governance model clarifies the fiduciary responsibility of the Board and the Ecclesiastical Supervision of the District President and aligns it with the Synod’s governance practices. A change would primarily impact how the Board goes about its fiduciary business, however doing so would require changes in the MNS District’s Bylaws.

Those interested have the opportunity to learn about these proposed changes in advance of the June 2025 convention and the impact these changes will have on how we work together. Attend the break-out session on Friday or Saturday offered at the Go First! Ministry Conference.

 

Here’s a preview of the speakers who will be presenting at the Go First! Ministry Conference! With over 40 sessions to choose from, there will be something for everyone! Check it out! (Sessions may vary as the conference draws closer.)

To see the day, time, and location of each presentation, simply click on the photo of the presenter. The Whova app also gives this information, and you will be able to personalize your agenda, browse the sessions, get event updates & notifications, and connect with others who are attending. Go here to download the app.

An overview of each day’s schedule follows the “Speaker” section below. There is a pdf available if you prefer to print out each day’s schedule.

 

Daily Speaker Schedule

 

 
 

Celebration Event!

Sing hymns and spiritual songs led by Dr. Jeffrey Burkart!

Join a special choir directed by Dr. Burkart who will perform during the event (sign up here)!

Be inspired and encouraged with a message by Rev. Issa Safadi from POBLO (People of the Book Lutheran Outreach)!

Praise God for those educators who have reached ministry milestones!

Enjoy the celebration with other brothers and sisters in Christ!

Promote the Celebration Event in your congregation!

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Go First!

 
 
 

LIFE TOGETHER

Through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, the Holy Christian Church is bound together in a community of faith and love expressed in word and deed. Our life together acknowledges both the guilt and the shame of sin, where we sin and are sinned against. But the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. Life together centers upon the remission of sins won by Jesus and delivered to us through word and sacrament worship. Together we are discipled and then dispersed out into our daily vocations to serve our neighbor, love the Lord, encourage one another, and give witness to His mercy.

 

COLLABORATION

Christ has called us to be united as the body of Christ. We desire to complete each other rather than compete against each other. Collaboration, networking, and sharing allow us to more effectively unleash the potential of our congregations in the name of Jesus. Therefore we look for ways to engage with one another, to celebrate with one another, and to cooperate with one another for the good of God’s people, the growth of His kingdom, and the glory of Christ.

 

SOUL CARE

Throughout His ministry Jesus looked upon people with great compassion. He came not to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. He cares for the hurting, loves the brokenhearted, and cleanses sin-ridden souls. By His shed blood, He removes guilt, puts away shame, and gives hope to lost and wounded souls. Therefore, the soul care we give is rooted in how our Lord Jesus Christ “Goes First!” to care for our souls to bring healing and forgiveness through His Word and sacrament.

 

OUTREACH

Christ has called us to be light bearers and hope mongers in a broken and dysfunctional world. Through the daily vocations of life, we stand ready to reach out with the hope of Christ. Many long for a compassionate word, a welcoming smile, or a kind gesture. Extending the love of Christ in word and deed is a welcome relief for hurting and wondering souls. We extend the love of Christ to both the lost and the found, championing His sacrifice on Calvary for the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

 

 

Introducing the “Go First!” Initiative

History shows that culture changing movements are often led by those willing to go first. That, of course, was the foundation of the New Testament Church. It was made up of those who were willing to go first. However, they were simply the first to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, who Himself was always ready to go first. Read more…

 

 

Understanding the “Go!” in “Go First!”

It’s based upon the Gospel joy that since Jesus goes first to the cross to win for us forgiveness, life, and salvation, we can trust Him. And because we trust Him, He inspires us to go first and inspire others in His name. To help us see how we can go first, look at when and where Jesus says “go.” Read more…

 

 

Go First! Life Together

Jesus calls Christians into a community of life together. That community is a part of the Holy Christian Church that we confess in the Apostles’ Creed. At the core of this life together is the message of the justification of humankind through the shed blood of Jesus. The local expression of this life together is most often seen by believers gathering for weekly worship with their congregation. The marks of these gatherings are the clear teaching and preaching of the Word of God and the faithful administration of the sacraments. Read more…

 

 

Go First! Soul Care

There are so many hurting and lost souls who need the compassion and healing of our Lord Jesus Christ. As Jesus went first for you, you are free to go first to care for the hurting and souls of this world—those who are “lost” as well as those already “found.” All souls are precious to our Lord. Read more…

 

 

Go First! Outreach

 The Christian Church often talks about the importance of outreach. But what does outreach mean?

 Intentional outreach is one of the four tenets of the MN South District Go First initiative. It’s acting upon the conviction that Christ has called us to be light bearers and hope mongers in a broken and dysfunctional world. Read more…

 

 

Go First! Collaboration

We live at a time when technology makes networking and collaborating easier than ever. Social media, instant messaging, email, and video chat makes planning for things like community outreach events, youth groups, or church meetings timelier and more efficient. Of course, technology is no replacement for incarnate ministry. Our Lord’s own incarnation teaches us that. But it does aid us in our incarnate ministry. Read more…

 

 

Go First! Christian Civic Responsibility

In a society that continues to propose and pass laws meant to implement immoral and unbiblical public policy, what is our responsibility as Christians? Read more…

 

 

Go First! With Resurrection Confidence

“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” (Luke 24:5b-7) 

“Remember how he told you…” That’s what the angel invites us to do. Easter celebrates how Jesus triumphantly went from death to life. Easter revels in His relentless love, His glorious victory, and His resurrection power. Easter invites us to scream from the rooftops, Alleluia, Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, Alleluia! Read more…

The Church Goes First:
By Word and Spirit

In a cultural context like ours, seemingly intent on spiritual suicide, intentionally deconstructing and dismantling human identity and purpose, it’s essential we keep our bearings. Doing so means we must stand upon the truth of God’s Word and rest in the power of His Holy Spirit. They are what allow us to confidently and boldly go first, speaking truth and acting in love. Read more…

Go First! Stand Firm

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved (Phil. 3:20-4:1).  

Paul exhorts the Philippians to stand firm in the face of an unbelieving and deceiving world. He reminds them of their heavenly citizenship, while also championing the power of the one who fights for them—Jesus Christ—noting that He will one day change their mortal bodies into resurrected glorious bodies like His. It is the essence of Christian confidence still today.  Read more…