Rural & Small Town Mission: Webinars

Providing Guidance and Support to Rural and Small Town Churches

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Rural & Small Town Mission webinars provide Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod pastors and congregational leaders with practical, relevant ideas for engaging the community with the Gospel.

Contact Deaconess Sandy Bowers at rstm@lcms.org or at 888-843-5267 to receive invitations and offer topic ideas for the video presentations.

• View latest webinar
• See webinar schedule
• View archives

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Latest Webinar

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Webinar Schedule

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Webinar Archives

• 2023 RSTM Webinars

• Outpacing Inflation: How Keeping Savings in the Bank Could Harm Your Ministry’s Financial Future

  2/23/2023 — Ralph Simon, vice-president of Investment Services for LCMS Foundation

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• 2022 RSTM Webinars

• No-Cost Revitalization Resources for LCMS Congregations

  12/15/2022 — Rev. Mark Wood, director of LCMS Witness & Outreach and LCMS Revitalization

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  Keep the Fire Going with Youth Ministry

  12/1/2022 — Rev. Mark Kiessling, director of LCMS Youth Ministry

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  Articulating the Why

  10/27/2022 — Rev. Todd Kollbaum, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Madison, Neb., and director of LCMS Rural & Small Town Mission

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  RSTM Congregations Caring for Their Church Workers

  9/22/2022 — Rev. David Gunderson, licensed marriage and family therapist intern at Lutheran Family Service

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  Welcoming People

  8/25/2022 — Rev. Todd Kollbaum, director of LCMS Rural & Small Town Mission and pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Madison, Neb.

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  Welcoming Publications

  7/28/2022 — Rev. Jonathan Conner, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Manning, Iowa

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  Welcoming Buildings

  6/24/2022 — Rev. Todd Kollbaum, director of LCMS Rural & Small Town Mission and pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Madison, Neb.

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  Preparing Your Grad for the Next Step

  5/19/2022 — Rev. Marcus Zill, campus pastor at the University of Arizona in Tucson and former director of LCMS Campus Ministry and LCMS U

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  Disaster Response in RSTM

  4/21/2022 — Presented by Rev. Michael Meyer, director of LCMS Disaster Training

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  Rural Ministry Resources

  1/13/2022 — Presented by Rev. Todd Kollbaum, director of LCMS Rural & Small Town Mission

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• 2021 RSTM Webinars

• Roundtable on Building Partnerships

  12/9/2021 — Presented by Rev. Todd Kollbaum, Rev. Dan Galchutt, Rev. Michael Hageman, and Rev. Jon Bruss

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  Stewardship

  11/4/2021 — Presented by Rev. Heath Curtis, coordinator of LCMS Stewardship Ministry

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  David’s Harp and the Parish Based Music Conservatory

  10/7/2021 — Presented by Rev. Nathan Sherrill, executive director of David’s Harp: A Center for Musical Development

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  Ministry after the Pandemic — Making Disciples for Life

  9/13/2021 — Presented by Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, executive director of LAMP Ministries

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  Orphan Grain Train Christmas Outreach

  8/12/2021 — Presented by Kelly Asbury of Grace Lutheran Church in Norfolk, Neb.

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  Joy in Youth Ministry

  6/24/2021 — Presented by Rev. Mark Kiessling, director of LCMS Youth Ministry

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  Leadership Through Conflict

  5/13/2021 — Presented by Rev. Mike Moreno (PMHP/PMSW), mental health and marriage counselor at Christ Lutheran Church, Norfolk, Neb.

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  Compassion Fatigue - Serving Our Lord Faithfully Without Burning Out

  4/15/2021 — Presented by Rev. Dr. Rick Marrs, M.Div., Ph.D, licensed psychologist and director of M.Div, RAR Programs at Concordia Seminary St. Louis

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  The Mission Field Outside Your Door

  3/4/2021 — Presented by Rev. Max Phillips and Melissa Gannon, CEO and COO of Perry Lutheran Homes

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  Parish Nursing in Rural and Small Towns

  2/18/2021 — Presented by Marcy Schnorr, education consultant for LCMS Parish Nursing and the LCMS Parish Nurse Council

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  Life Ministry Overview

  1/7/2021 — Presented by Deaconess Tiffany Manor

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• 2020 RSTM Webinars

• Deaconesses and the Rural and Small-Town Congregation: Partnership and Ministry Models

  12/10/2020 — Presented by Deaconess Faith Swenson of Fairbank, Iowa

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  Congregational Partnership Training

  11/19/2020 — Presented by Rev. Todd Kollbaum, director of LCMS Rural & Small-Town Mission

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  Technology and the Church in Rural and Small-Town Areas

  10/15/2020 — Presented by Matthew Bergholt, coordinator of LCMS School Ministry

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  Thinking Outside the Box: Partnerships

  9/24/2020 — Presented by Tom Schlund, senior pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Algona, Iowa

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  Grace Place

  8/6/2020 — Presented by Rev. Dr. Darrell Zimmerman, interim president/CEO of Grace Place Wellness Ministries in St. Louis

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  Opioid Abuse in Rural and Small-Town Settings

  6/18/2020 — Presented by Rev. Dr. Steven Schave, director of LCMS Urban & Inner-City Mission

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  Counting Your Blessings: Hope for Rural and Small-Town Congregations

  5/14/2020 — Presented by Rev. Todd Kollbaum, director of LCMS Rural & Small Town Mission, and Rev. Heath R. Curtis. coordinator of LCMS Stewardship Ministry

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  Domestic Abuse in Rural and Small-Town Areas

  3/12/2020 — Presented by Dr. Kim Schave, director of Humanitri

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  Hurricane Florence—A Case Study

  2/13/2020 — LCMS Rural & Small Town Mission hosted a free webinar titled “Hurricane Florence—A Case Study” on Feb. 13, 2020. The presenter was the Rev. James Daub, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Havelock, N.C.

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• 2019 RSTM Webinars

• Always Prepared to Give Reason for Your Hope

  12/12/2019 — Presented by Rev. Craig Neimeier, pastor, Zion Lutheran Church, Worms, Neb.

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  Dealing with Addictions in Rural and Small-town Areas

  11/21/2019 — Presented by Rev. Gary Griffin, pastor, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lockwood, Mo.

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  Moving Beyond Survival: DOXOLOGY and Your Church’s Future

  10/12/2019 — Presented by Rev. Dr. Harold Senkbeil, DOXOLOGY

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  Church Reflections

  9/26/2019 — Presented by Ben Meyer, pastor, Hope Lutheran Church, Sunbury, Ohio

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  The No-Casserole Illness and How the Church Can Respond

  8/22/2019 — Presented by Rev. Dr. Dennis Goff, The Lutheran Foundation

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  Active Stewardship in the Rural/Small-town Parish

  7/25/2019 — Presented by Rev. Heath Curtis, LCMS Stewardship

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  What’s New in Witness & Outreach?

  6/13/2019 — Presented by Rev. Dr. Mark Wood, LCMS Director of Witness & Outreach Ministry

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  Outreach Through Lutheran Braille Workers

  5/23/2019 — Presented by Daniel Jenkins, Vice President of Ministry Advancement, Lutheran Braille Workers

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  Community Engagement

  4/11/2019 — Presented by Rev. Dr. Keith Schweitzer

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  Reaching Young Women: LWML

  2/21/2019 — Presented by Kaye Wolff, vice-president of Special Focus Ministries, Lutheran Women’s Missionary League

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  Rural & Small Town Ministry Resources

  1/24/2019 — Presented by Rev. Todd Kollbaum, RSTM Director, and Amy Gerdts, RSTM Coordinator

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• 2018 RSTM Webinars

• Summer Outreach Strategies

  12/6/2018 — Presented by Rev. Jacob Mueller, J.T. Toensing, and Donna Oetting from Holy Cross Lutheran, Emma, Mo.

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  Introducing New Hymns in Small Congregations

  11/15/2018 — Presented by Rev. Dr. Paul Grime

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  Ministry to Inactives

  10/13/2018 — Presented by Rev. Todd Kollbaum

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  Teaching the Faith: Adults

  9/13/2018 — Presented by Rev. Dr. Heath Trampe

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  Pastors Leading Churches with Schools

  8/16/2018 — Presented by Rev. Dr. Nathan Meador

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  Regional Youth Partnerships

  7/12/2018 — Presented by DCE Leland Jackson

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  The Christian Family — Engine for Exponential Growth

  6/21/2018 — Presented by Dr. Ben Freudenburg

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  Redefining the Graying Church: The Mission Field of Older Adults

  5/17/2018 — Presented by Rev. Rich Bimler

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  Reasons for the Faith: Apologetics 101-Islam (Sharing the Gospel with Muslims)

  4/26/2018 — Presented by Rev. Rich Boring

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  Working Partnerships: Dual and Multi Parishes

  3/15/2018 — Presented by Rev. Rich Boring

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  Children’s Midweek Ministry

  2/22/2018 — Presented by Angela Kollbaum

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• 2017 RSTM Webinars

• LCMS Deaconess Ministry

  12/7/2017 — Presented by Deaconess Grace Rao

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  LCMS Recognized Service Organizations

  11/16/2017 — Presented by Deaconess Cara Patton

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  Spiritual Warfare

  10/26/2017 — Presented by Dr. Robert H. Bennett

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  Disaster Relief Training

  9/21/2017 — Presented by Rev. Dr. Ross Johnson and Rev. Michael Meyer, LCMS Disaster Response

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  Mission Insight: Getting the Most Out of Your Demographics

  8/3/2017 — Presented by Kurt Fuhr, vice-president, Lutheran Church Extension Fund

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  Teaching the Faith: College/Young Adults

  7/6/2017 — Presented by Marcus Zill

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  Teaching the Faith: Sunday School

  5/25/2017 — Presented by Angela Kollbaum

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  re:Vitality for Rural and Small Town Congregations

  4/27/2017 — Presented by Rev. Mark Wood

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  Teaching the Faith: Confirmation

  3/9/2017 — Presented by Rev. Kenton Birtell

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  Teaching the Faith: VBS

  2/23/2017 — Presented by Kayla Ronfeldt

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  Teaching the Faith: Youth

  1/12/2017 — Presented by Rev. Todd Kollbaum, RSTM Director

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• 2016 RSTM Webinars

• Enhancing Your Congregation’s Education Efforts

  12/8/16 — Presented by Dr. Mark Blanke, Concordia University, Nebraska

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  Using Technology for Ministry

  11/17/16 — Presented by Rev. Jonathan Fisk, Worldwide KFUO.org

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  What Is Revitalization and What Does It Mean for My Church?

  10/13/16 — Presented by Rev. Mark Wood, LCMS Witness & Outreach

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  Ministry to the Armed Forces in Rural and Small Town Settings

  9/15/16 — Presented by Chaplain Steven Hokana

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  Are We A Friendly Church?

  8/11/16 — Presented by Kaye Wolff

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  Following Through with Strategic Planning

  7/28/16 — Presented by Rev. Aaron Witt

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  Keep the Ball Rolling with Strategic Planning

  6/16/16 — Presented by Rev. Dr. Lee Hagan

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  The Value of Strategic Planning

  5/12/16 — Presented by Rev. Todd Kollbaum

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  Welcoming Your New Pastor

  4/21/16 — Presented by Rev. Matthew Mau

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  Sharing Christ in a Hyper-Connected World

  3/10/16 — Presented by Faith Spelbring

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  Assimilation in Rural and Small-Town Settings

  2/18/16 — Presented by Rev. Ben Meyer

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  Community of Christ in Rural and Small Towns

  1/21/16 — Presented by Rev. Gene Ernst

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• 2015 RSTM Webinars

• 
   Every Pastor Needs a Pastor

  12/10/15 | Presented by Dr. Mark Rockenbach

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  Leadership: Churches with Schools

  11/19/15 | Presented by Terry Schmidt

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  Overcoming Bad Experiences

  10/15/15 | Presented by the Rev. Mark Wood

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  Small Church Choirs

  9/24/15 | Presented by Bill Gasau and Donna Owens

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  Youth & Parent-Partnered Youth Groups

  8/13/15 | Presented by Mrs. Angie Kollbaum

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  Welcoming People

  7/23/15 | Presented by Mark Einspahr

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  Welcoming Buildings

  6/25/15 | Presented by Bruce Manzey

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  Welcoming Publications

  5/14/15 | Presented by Amy Gerdts

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  Preparing Your Grad For the Next Step

  4/23/15 | Presented by the Rev. Marcus Zill

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  Small Confirmation Options

  3/12/15 | Presented by the Rev. Kenton Birtell

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  Building Partnerships

  2/19/15 | Presented by the Rev. Todd Kollbaum

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  Don’t They Know We’re Here?

  1/22/15 | Presented by the Rev. Mark Frith

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• 2014 RSTM Webinars

• 
   Ideas for Church Planting in RST Areas

  12/11/14 | Presented by the Rev. David Johnson

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  Christmas Outreach

  11/20/14 | Presented by Richard Cohrs

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  Witnessing Grandparents

  10/23/2014  | Presented by Dr. Richard Bimler

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  Prepared: Ready to Witness in RST Areas

  9/18/2014  | Presented by the Rev. Ben Meyer

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  Transitioning to a Worker Priest Model

  8/14/2014  | Presented by Troy Neujahr

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  Rural Schools — Effective and Functional?

  6/12/2014  | Presented by Mark L’Heureux

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  Legal/Financial Issues in Rural Parishes

  4/10/2014  | Presented by Peter Krege

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  Equipping Lutherans to be Gospel-Motivated Voices for Life

  3/20/2014  | Presented by Lori Trinche

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  Parish Nursing

  2/20/2014  | Presented by Maggie Karner, LCMS Life Ministries

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  Endowments

  1/16/2014  | Presented by Allen Helms, LCMS Foundation

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• 2013 RSTM Webinars

• 
   Governance

  11/14/2013 | Presented by Peter Krege

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  Church Planting in Rural & Small Town Settings

  10/3/2013  | Presented by the Rev. David Johnson

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  Stewardship Strategies

  09/26/2013  | Presented by the Rev. Nathan Meador

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  Campus Ministry Connections

  08/29/2013  | Presented by the Rev. Marcus Zill

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  Theology for Mercy in Rural/Small Town Settings: Reinvigorating the Dying

  07/18/2013  | Presented by the Rev. Bernhard Seter

  Watch