Who is the Large Church Conference For?
This is a group led by pastors and serving pastors. We are committed to four core values:
- Encouraging Connections
- Practical Resourcing
- Nurturing Vitality, &
- Spirit-Led Innovation
Each year, we meet for an annual conference beginning the Monday after the first Sunday in May! If you are a pastor who leads a larger Lutheran congregation, this event is for you!
What is a Larger Church?
This conference was established to support Senior or Lead Pastors who lead complex and growing organizations. In the past few years, we've realized that there are many ways to understand complex organizations. We define Larger Church as churches as churches that meet one or more of the following criteria:
-More than 500 in weekly worship attendance (in-person and online);
-10 or more staff members;
-Annual receipts exceeding $1 million.
Steering Committee
Chris Enstad
2025 Program Chair
Elizabeth Clothier
2026 Program Chair
Paul Mussachio
Sponsorships and Registration
Erik Boye
Treasurer
Doug Hill
Facilities
Scot Sorenson
Facilities
Elizabeth Hiller
Steering Committee
Elizabeth Felt
Steering Committee
Fritz Wiese
Steering Committee
Mike Peck
Steering Commitee
Bob Bekkerus
Steering Committee
David Glesne
Steering Committee
Kevin Shively
Steering Committee Member
Other Guidelines
Revised 2022
- The conference is for Senior/Lead Pastors and spouses (small additional charge for children).
- Invitations will be mailed to the Senior/Lead Pastors of the largest ELCA congregations based on criteria for larger congregations.
- If a congregation no longer qualifies based on criteria, Senior Pastor may attend the conference for 3 years if they had previously attended a past conference and remains at the same Church. If they leave, and the number is below 400 weekly worship attendance, the new Lead Pastor is not eligible to attend until the number reaches the minimum stated above.
- The conference will be self-supporting and appreciates the financial support from long term partners in ministry/sponsors.
- There will be no commercial exhibits or ELCA program displays. Pastors may not bring platform issues.
- Date each year will be the first week of May following the first Sunday of May; i.e. the week before Mother’s Day.
- Subjects for the program will be determined by the Executive Committee and will focus on the specific needs of Senior Pastors of larger congregations.
- The Bishop of the ELCA will be invited to regularly attend. Synodical bishops and seminary presidents may be invited too.
- The conference sessions will be held in resort centers rather than Churches for a change of scenery, more relaxation, informal fellowship, and rest.
- A volunteer Executive Committee will arrange the conference. Treasurer and communications coordinator are ongoing posts and continue at the pleasure of the executive committee and conference participants.
- A Lead Pastor who has been attending the conference will be privileged to attend the conference three years following retirement, and will be expected to pay the program fee.
- A Senior Pastor who has been attending the conference and moves to a non-qualifying congregation or seeks other Church-related employment and no longer serves a parish will be privileged to attend the conference three years and will be expected to pay the program fee.
- $100 of the registration fee is non-refundable ($75 if pastor only and no spouse). 7 days prior to the event starting, there will be no refunds on registration.
- Exceptions can be granted by executive committee.
Qualified lead pastors can automatically subscribe to message board by sending email below.