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North Wisconsin District
~ Pastors' Conference Information Page ~

All Available Information such as 
Downloadable Conference Information, Registration Form, & Schedule 
And Online Registration are located Below
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ONLINE
~Registration is Closed~

SPRING PASTORAL CONFERENCE
Monday, May 18th - Tuesday, May 19th


To Be Held in
Minocqua, WI
Presenter: Rev. Dr. Joel D. Biermann
Professor of Systematic Theology, Systematic Theology
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO
 

Theme to be announced soon 

About Our Speakers:

Rev. Dr. Joel D. Biermann

Dr. Joel D. Biermann is the Waldemar A. and June Schuette Professor of Systematic Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.

A faculty member since 2002, Biermann teaches doctrinal theology with a special interest and emphasis centered on ethics and the correct role of the Law in the life of the believer. He also is the faculty marshal.

A pastor’s son, Biermann was raised in parishes in Nebraska and Michigan. Graduating with his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Concordia College in Ann Arbor, Mich. (1983), he enrolled at Concordia Seminary and finished his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) in 1987. At Trinity Lutheran Church in Bemidji, Minn., and then St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Holt, Mich., he served as a parish pastor for 11 years.

Biermann returned to Concordia Seminary in 1998 as a graduate student. He completed his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in 2002 with a dissertation entitled, “Virtue Ethics and the Place of Character Formation in Lutheran Theology.”

Outside of his Seminary responsibilities, Biermann serves local congregations as invited and has helped produce material for congregational small group Bible studies (Help for the Hurried Life, Questions About). He also has worked on similar study material through Lutheran Hour Ministries (Who Am I, What Am I Doing Here?, Fatherhood, We the People, A Man Named Martin) and provided discussion questions and answers for a series of men’s Bible study books through Concordia Publishing House (Blessed is the Man).

He has authored four books: “Day 7: for Work, Rest, or Play” (CPH, 2024), “Wholly Citizens” (Fortress, 2017); “A Case for Character” (Fortress, 2014); and  “Courageous Fathers of the Bible” (Concordia Publishing House (CPH), 2011).

Biermann is a frequent speaker at LCMS District and congregational gatherings and conferences, where he covers a variety of topics, especially those relating to issues of discipleship, Christian formation, vocation, work and leisure (“rest”), as well as church and state issues.

Biermann and his wife, Jeannalee, have three adult children who are all graduates of Concordia Seminary. Jasmine and Justine are both Master of Arts (M.A.) graduates and Jess is a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) graduate and is currently working on his Ph.D. at the Seminary. They also have 11 grandchildren.

Interests:
Ethics
Law and the life of the believer
Interface of church and world
Aesthetics

Education:
2002:  PhD  Concordia Seminary, St. Louis - St. Louis, Missouri
1987:   MDIV Concordia Seminary, St. Louis - St. Louis, Missouri
1983:   BA Concordia College Ann Arbor, Michigan Greek & History/Political Science Summa cum laude

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SPRING CONFERENCE INFORMATION
Deadline for Conference reservation: 
 


LOCATION:                                              CONFERENCE COST: 

                                                            $ --- - Pastors & Other Church Workers
                                                            $ --- - Spouses 
Minocqua, WI                                  $ --- - Children (under 3 free)
                                                            $ Free - Retired Pastors

CONFERENCE HOUSING OPTIONS:

When making reservations, reference  "NWD Pastoral Conference" 
** Please provide tax-exempt number at check in. **

Blocks of discounted rooms are available at the following hotel:

A block of discounted rooms is available at: 
Discounted rate available only until 

Rooms can be booked online by CLICKING HERE or call 

The                                        Rooms at $---/night

Minocqua, WI 
 

If so desired, you may book elsewhere at a cheaper hotel option in the Minocqua area.

EMERITUS/ RETIREES:

Retired pastors are invited to attend with no registration fee, but are still required to register. Spouses of retired church workers are asked to pay $40 to cover the cost of their meals. Housing for the conference is the responsibility of those who attend.

DEADLINES:

Deadline for conference reservation is:

SPOUSES AND FAMILIES: 

All are invited and welcome but asked to pay $--- for spouse and $--- per child (3 & up) to cover the expense of meals. Thank you for your understanding.

MEALS:

Gemütlichkeit @ ---  
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner -  - -

VENDORS:

Are you looking to have a table display set up during the Pastors Conference?
Please contact:--- 

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CONFERENCE:

Please direct all questions about the conference to Rev. Steve Kline
<revkline@shepherdhills.org> (920) 757-5722

Questions ONLY about online registration may be directed to Rev. Larry Yaw:  
<pastor.yaw@netnet.net> (920) 822-3511 
 

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Two Easy & Convenient Ways to Register:

 

  1. Print off the form & return via mail with a check
    to the address on the form (also listed below)*

NWD Fall Pastor Conference Registration
Pastor Robert Hopkins
c/o St. John Lutheran Church
PO Box 9
Cadott, WI 54727

         DOWNLOADABLE FORMS AVAILABLE BY CLICKING HERE 

Complete & Return with payment to the address on form by Monday, October 6th. 

2.   Online Registration & Online payment (See Below)**
      Register & pay for multiple church workers from the same congregation

Registration is Open
Closed!

Click the button below to register online
Please register By Monday, October 6th

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~ ONLINE REGISTRATION IS CLOSED~

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VENDORS are you looking to have a table display set up during the Pastors Conference?
Please contact Rev. Steve Kline <revkline@shepherdhills.org> (920) 757-5722
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2026 NWD SPRING PASTORS’ CONFERENCE
Schedule of Events

Minocqua, WI

Monday, May 18

11:30 am           Registration Opens
12:30 pm          Opening Vespers
1:15 pm              Welcome & Announcements
1:30-2:15 pm    Session # 1
2:15 pm             Break
2:30-3:15 pm   Session # 2
3:15 pm             Break
3:30-4:15 pm   Session # 3
4:15 pm             Questions District Business / Break
5:00 pm            Divine Service at  (Location TBE)

After Service Dinner on your own

7:00pm - ???   Gemütlichkeit
                        (Location TBE)

Tuesday, May 19

8:30 am              Matins
9:15-10:30 am    Session # 4
10:30 am             Break
10:45-11:30 am   Conference Business
11:30-12:00 pm   Closing Prayer: Responsive Prayer 2
12:00 pm             Lunch / Depart

Future Conference Dates:

  • Spring Pastoral Conference 2027 - May 10-11 
    St. Paul, Bonduel, with Rev. Nathan Meador as speaker on topic of Stewardship
     
  • Fall Pastoral Conference 2027 - September 28-30 (tentative dates)
    Topic still in discussion
    Possible joint Conference with the South Wisconsin District in the Stevens Point area
    Otherwise, NWD conference only in Marquette, MI
Handouts from the 2025 Fall Pastors Conference
 
Handouts from the 2024 Spring Pastors Conference

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Current Pastors Conference Planning Committee Members
The committee is responsible for planning the both the Fall & Spring Pastors Conference of the North Wisconsin District. Terms are for 2 years, with elections taken place at the Fall Conference.

  • Rev. Robert Hopkins (Until Fall 2026)
  • Rev. Steve Kline (Until Fall 2026)
  • Rev. Todd Jerabek (Until Fall 2027)
  • Rev. Jim Mayland (Until 2027)

NWD Pastors Conference Appointed Positions

  • Rev. Brian Liermann - Treasurer of the Pastors Conference 
  • Rev. Larry Yaw - Online Registration / Advisor

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