The overall theme of the conference was “Getting the Gospel Doctrine to the Diaspora” and focused on how new Lutheran media is bringing Confessional doctrine to those who are not able to find/join a conservative, confessional and liturgical parishes. The speakers were from the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, which has taken a lead in spreading the gospel using new media over the Internet. Pastors Jonathan Fisk and Bryan Wolfmueller talked about how they go about producing and airing their Internet shows, while Pastor Joshua Scheer tackled the crucial question of the legitimacy of pastors and laity spending time on the Internet.

There were about 100 people registered and attending the conference, whose name sake is an interesting story itself. As many in our congregation know, the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod has struggled with doctrine and practice over the past 50 years - since the split of the Synodical Conference (i.e. WELS and LCMS no longer enjoy altar and pulpit fellowship). The church is facing some huge challenges these days trying to keep christ's word pure. Brothers of John the Steadfast is an organization dedicated to defending and promoting confessional Lutheranism and its media outlets to spread the gospel. To learn who John the Steadfast was in the time of Martin Luther, read this article entitled, "Who is John the Steadfast?"

Pastor Fisk, who does the Worldview Everlasting videocast, challenged us all with a presentation on the need for an old church and institution (LCMS / WELS) to accommodate the new media and become leaner and more agile in bringing the Gospel to the world. Pastor Fisk used the book "Here Comes Everybody" by Clay Shirky. This book has been discussed on the WELSTech podcast as well, so it is no secret. The largest difference is that there are several LCMS media outlets practicing this new Internet media, while the WELS is still moving a bit more slowly. 

In between sessions, we were served Chicago style pizza and Chicago sytle hot dogs with cheese and chili fries. The morning breakfast was called the "Manly - Man's Breakfast" with every conceivable breakfast food item I could think of, except perhaps oatmeal which is not very manly. The food and friendships were great. Julie and I were able to speak to people like the next presenter over supper who was Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller, who does "Table Talk" radio. Pastor Wolfmueller also provides a wonderful service in the Praise Song Cruncher (version 2) for assessing the music we hear, listen to, and sometime sing in our churches.

Pastor Wolfmueller spoke about the work of Table Talk and how it has allowed him to reach both the unchurched and also the disporia - people who are Christians spread across the globe and perhaps in heterdoxy church bodies, but with Lutheran theology calling them. Pastor Wolfmueller read letters from people whose lives were changed by hear the Word of God. Table Talk uses a series of "games" that make fun of the hosts of the Internet podcast show, but takes doctrine and practice seriously. Games include "10 Commendments in the News", "Name that Theologian",  and "Bible Bee" plus a whole lot more fun.

Pastor Joshua Scheer gave us tip on how best to do your vocation while using the new media on the Internet to spread the Gospel. The title of his presentation was "Spending Time on the Internet, a Good or Bad Idea?" Pastor Scheer has posted those tips for pastors and the laity (congregation members) here. 

The three presenters were young pastors all in their upper 20s to mid 30s in age, but are serious about spreading the gospel message in the Bible and in the best sense of the confessional Lutheran church's practices. Julie and I were edified as WELS members by the confession of faith the LCMS brothers and sisters showed at this free conference. We are convinced we can learn much from the Brother of John the Steadfast and their success in using the new media of the Internet. Provided below are some of the finest confessional Lutheran uses of new media that are blessings to all of us.

Fighting for the Faith

Pirate Christian Radio

Issues, Etc.

Table Talk Radio

Worldview Everlasting