Pacific Southwest District
This past week the Pacific Southwest District's Pastors’ Conference was held in Palm Springs. The conference theme “SoulCare” and content were developed by the District’s regional vice-presidents. Pastors and pastors’ wives from all around the PSD gathered to spend time in God’s Word, learn from presenters, visit exhibitors, and spend time in fellowship with one another. As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)
The conference featured a devotion each morning focused on one of three areas of SoulCare:
SoulCare for Self, led by Rev. Paul Koch, Grace, Ventura, CA
SoulCare for Family, led by Rev. Jim Henkell, St. Paul’s, Pacific Beach, CA
SoulCare for Church, led by Rev. Dustin Parker, Concordia, Cerritos, CA
A compelling plenary Bible study on 1 Peter by Rev. Dr. Dale Meyer, Emeritus president – Concordia Seminary, St. Louis followed devotions each day. One pastor exclaimed, “I loved the Bible study with Dale Meyer. I could have an entire conference with him teaching a single Book of the Bible!”
The conference included a Monday evening communion worship service hosted by Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Palm Springs, with guest preacher Rev. Dr. John Nunes, Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Santa Monica, CA. Thank you to the team at Our Savior’s for hosting!
Jill Dodge, LCSW, Shepherd’s Canyon Retreat Center Staff Counselor, presented two plenary sessions on recognizing and avoiding pastoral burnout. Dr. Buddy Mendez, Professor of Psychology – Concordia University, Irvine, gave the final plenary session on “When to Refer” with practical information, examples and resources for when a Pastor should refer a congregant to a licensed counselor and how to best do it.
Other sessions at the conference included District President Gibson’s report to attendees, a roundtable discussion on “SoulCare in Multicultural Settings,” and breakout sessions on:
“Encouragement Currency: Stay Encouraged”, led by Rev. Dr. Jeff Schrank
“Body and Soul Care: Two Sides of the Same Coin”, led by Rev. Dr. Tim Ahlman
“SoulCare in Retirement: Moving Into a Season You Do Only What You Love Most In Ministry”, led by Rev. Dr. Mike Gibson
Pastors’ wives and other special guests had the opportunity to attend a ladies’ luncheon sponsored by LCEF. The lunch featured guest speaker Linda Kurtz from “Hope and Care Outreach,” the District’s Hearts for Jesus Project.
Many of the conference attendees expressed similar thanks and praise for the time spent together in learning and fellowship, remarking, “I value the time spent with brothers and the blessing of the presenters” and “Thank you for the great conference, I am looking forward to next year’s Conference!” We thank all of our attendees, speakers and exhibitors for being part of this conference and sharing how God is at work in so many places in the PSD!
Join us in Prayer
Gracious Heavenly Father, we give thanks for all the pastors that serve your kingdom in the PSD. We ask for your protection and blessings on them and their ministries. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen!
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