May 12–14, 2025
“The Office of the Ministry”
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
205 Saint Paul Church Road, Salisbury, NC 28146
Presenters: Julie Smith, Randy Freund, Brad Hales, and Mark Ryman
Special discussion for seminarians and those entering the call process, led by Brian Lord
Seminarian Registration fee: $25 (includes breakfasts and lunch)
Registration fee for non-seminarians is $75 (includes breakfasts and lunch)
Other perks for seminarians are addressed in the conference brochure.
To register online, download the conference brochure for instructions.
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hampton Inn. Click the link to make your reservation or call directly 704-637-8000. Mention the “SPLS Theological Conference” to receive our reduced rate of $129/night. Deadline for this rate is April 11, 2025. A limited number of scholarships are available to seminarians in need of housing for the two nights. Please email pastor@stpaulslutheran.church about your need. These will be handled on a first-come-first-served basis.
Monday, May 12:
1:00 Registration (Fellowship Hall)
1:30 Welcome, Seminary Update (Jon Jensen)
1:45 Presentation, Visitation, Rev. Brad Hales
2:45 Discussion/Q&A
3:30 Presentation 1, Calling, Rev. Julie Smith
4:30 Discussion/Q&A
5:00 Supper on your own
Tuesday, May 13:
8:00 Continental Breakfast
8:30 Devotions (Fellowship Hall)
9:00 Presentation, “Lectio Concordia,” Rev. Dr. Mark Ryman
10:00 Discussion/Q&A
10:30 Break
11:00 Presentation, “Do No Harm—A Hippocratic Oath for Pastors?” Rev. Randy Freund
Noon Discussion/Q&A
12:30 NC BBQ Lunch (Fellowship Hall)
1:30 Presentation 2, Calling, Rev. Julie Smith
2:30 Discussion/Q&A
3:00 Break
3:30 “What I Wish I Knew Then about the Call Process,” a discussion led by Seminarian Brian Lord
4:30 Supper on your own
Wednesday, May 14:
8:00 Breakfast
8:30 Panel Discussion/Q&A
9:30 Break
10:00 Worship and Conferral of Degrees
Noon Conference Adjourns
Box Lunch and discussion for the LCMC Carolinas District