Latest News

HT-Online

2008-09-15T08:56:50-06:00

In order to provide Youth, Parents, Pastors, and Churches the highest quality in Youth resources, Catechesis, and Gospel-centered content, Higher Things introduces HT-Online! HT-Online is a subscription service that gives you access to a large variety of online resources. These include: Online copies of the Higher Things magazine (past and present), Bible Studies and Leaders' Guides based on magazine articles, audio resources (such as early access to HT Radio and audio clips from our summer conferences), and other premium articles and content. All of these resources can be yours for the small subscription offering of just $25.00 per year.

To subscribe online, please click here.

Thank you for your continued support of Higher Things, making us able to offer the best in Lutheran Content to our kids, as we Dare them to be Lutheran!

Please Note: Current HT-Online subscribers (those who purchased a web-subscription to the magazine) will be able to enjoy all of the HT-Online content until your subscription expires, at which time you will be invited to renew for the $25 annual rate.

HT Radio - Today at 8pm!!!!

2008-09-03T23:58:21-06:00

Higher Things on the Radio? You betcha! Powered by Pirate Christian Radio! Higher Things Radio comes to you today!

Christ-centered, youth orientated, edgy, taking on topics that we probably shouldn't, that's Higher Things. When that gets broadcasted, who knows what will happened! Only the Lord does.. but we'll have fun as long as we're on the air.

Check it out HT Radio tonight on Pirate Christian Radio tonight at 8pm Central and podcasted from the Higher Things tomorrow!

You ready? We aren't...but ready or not .. here we come, into your ears, streaming, and in your ipod with Christ crucified for you!

You excited? I am... right after I recover from the fear!

In Christ,

Pastor Borghardt
Conference Executive
Higher Things, Inc.

Higher Things Fantasy Football!

2008-08-18T14:54:41-06:00

For the third year in a row, Higher Things has a Fantasy Football league. If you are interested, contact me.

We certainly aren't going to let Pastor Fouts win again, are we? Or worse... me? (smile)

In Christ,

Pastor Borghardt
Conference Executive
Higher Things Inc.

Board of Directors - Elections Announcement

2008-07-22T15:52:43-06:00

Last week, during the Amen - Irvine conference, the Higher Things Board of Directors and Executives met for our annual Summit meeting. One of the most important orders of business for this annual meeting are our elections. The HT Board of Directors is comprised of 9 members. Directors serve three-year terms, and three director seats are up for election each year.

This year, incumbents Pr. William Cwirla and Pr. Bruce Keseman were both re-elected to serve another term and we are pleased to have elected a new-comer to the Board, Pr. David Kind. Pr. Kind has served as a conference Chaplain at both For You - Minneapolis and Amen - Poconos, and has been involved with HT's Christ on Campus as the pastor of University Lutheran Chapel in Minneapolis, MN.

Also during the annual meeting, the HT Board of Directors elects Officers to serve one-year terms. The Board of Directors Officers for the coming year are as follows:

President: Pr. William Cwirla
Vice-President: Pr. Brent Kuhlman
Treasurer: Lynn Fredericksen
Secretary: Sandra Ostapowich

All new terms will begin on September 1, 2008.

Internet Services Executive

2008-02-24T00:27:05-07:00

Higher Things is excited to announce that a familiar face on your website will be a permanent fixture for years to come. The Rev. Mark Buetow, formerly the "interim" Internet Services Executive, is interim no more! By action of the Board of Directors, Mark is now our Internet Services Executive. Pr. Buetow serves as as pastor of Bethel Lutheran Church in Du Quoin, Illinois. He and his wife, Susan, have three children - twins Naomi and Anna and Emily. He received his STM in 2000 from Concordia Seminary - St. Louis and served in New Orleans until Hurricane Katrina washed his congregation away.

Pastor Buetow is all about free gifts. He is the editor of HT's free devotions, the Higher Things Reflections. He oversees the content of our completely free and wonderfully updated website. He even uses a free operating system - Ubuntu (which means "almost as good as a Mac"). His delight is to proclaim the free gift of salvation in Jesus, which is why we are so glad to have him. Welcome, Pastor Buetow!

New Business Executive

2008-02-24T00:17:42-07:00

Higher Things is pleased to announce that Mrs. Connie Brammeier has joined us to be our new Business Executive. Connie brings a wealth of experience in managing not-for-profit organizations, including serving as business manager for the Salvation Army. She is a member (and the treasurer) of Trinity Lutheran Church in Kearney, MO (home of the "Cwirlies") where she and her husband also serve as youth leaders.

As Business Executive for Higher Things, Connie will manage the day-to-day business operations to ensure that our "first article" machinery is running smoothly. Welcome to the Higher Things family, Connie!

Announcement from the Board of Directors

2008-02-19T16:54:11-07:00

The Board of Directors of Higher Things has officially received and accepted a letter of resignation from its president, the Rev. Klemet Preus, effective February 18, 2008. In his letter to the Board, Pr. Preus indicated his intention to resign as president in order to pursue other pastoral and personal goals.

Pr. Preus has been instrumental in the development and maturation of Higher Things as a unique confessional and liturgical Lutheran youth organization. He has served faithfully as Higher Things' president since 2002, all the while exhorting us to "worship, work, and play" and know the difference among them.

While no longer serving as the public face of Higher Things, Pr. Preus still promises to be visible at Higher Things' conferences in the pulpit and the classroom doing what he does best: preaching, teaching, and admonishing us to "Dare to be Lutheran."

We are thankful to God and deeply grateful to Pr. Preus for his devoted years of pastoral guidance and Gospel-oriented leadership, and we pray our Lord's grace and every blessing on his new endeavors.

Until a new president can be named by the Board of Directors, the duties of the office of president will be assumed by Higher Things' vice-president, the Rev. William M. Cwirla.

Board of Directors
Higher Things, Inc.

Higher Things Reception

2008-01-07T08:33:42-07:00

Please join us!

Traveling to Fort Wayne for Concordia Theological Seminary's
Symposia? Then please join Higher Things for a Reception Tuesday, January 15
Goeglein's Walnut Room
7311 Maysville Road
7:00 - 10:00 pm
with a short presentation at 8:00.
Food, drinks, fun and fellowship. Come learn more about the work and mission of Higher Things.
For more information or directions, please contact Erika Gehrke at ecgehrke@higherthings.org

Youth Ministry on Issues, Etc.

2007-10-04T09:12:40-06:00

Higher Things is excited to share with you an exclusive interview with the Pastor George Borghardt of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Conroe, TX on Issues, Etc. on the topic of "Youth Ministry". You can find this great interview with the Higher Things Conference Executive, Higher Things Reflector, regular Magazine Columnist and frequent teacher at Higher Things Conferences and Retreats on the Higher Things Media page. You can also find a link to this most recent interview with Pastor Borghardt on myHT. If you're a regular listener of Issues, Etc. you can also find this interview at their website on their daily podcast.

HT Seeks Business Executive

2007-08-10T16:13:24-06:00

Higher Things is looking for a Business Executive to oversee and manage our financial affairs. Responsibilities include accounts payable and receivable, budgeting, tax-related filings, and financial reporting. The qualified candidate should be familiar with Excel and QuickBooks, ledgers, spreadsheets, and standard accounting practice. Good organizational and administrative skills are essential as is the ability to pay the bills on time. He or she will be committed to confessional Lutheran orthodoxy and share in Higher Things mission to assist parents, congregations, and pastors in cultivating and promoting a distinctively Lutheran identity among our youth. A good sense of humor and the ability to fly by the seat of one’s pants is very helpful. Check out the job description here.

Higher Things is a not-for-profit organization that relies heavily on volunteer workers dedicated to the cause of youth work. This position will pay a whopping $6K plus the benefit of working with creative, intense people on a shoestring budget in the greatest Lutheran youth organization on the planet.

If you are interested, please send a resume and cover letter to Pr. William M. Cwirla at cwirla@higherthings.org.

In Christ,

The Rev. William Cwirla
Vice President
Higher Things, Inc.