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The views represented on this blog are not necessarily those of Higher Things, nor does Higher Things necessarily endorse them.
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Posted At: 3:43pm by Rev. William M. Cwirla
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Higher Things is undertaking a renovation of its development strategy for fund raising and congregational outreach. Higher Things appreciates and depends on the ongoing support of its donors. We are changing the way we do development in order to reflect better the grassroots character of Higher Things - pastors, parents, congregations, youth workers and volunteers who fervently desire to cultivate a Lutheran identity in our youth and dare them to be Lutheran.
As a first step in this process, we have phased out the position of Development Coordinator, one of only two full-time salaried positions in Higher Things. This position has been filled over the past 18 months by Erika Gehrke, whom many of you know as a former Christ on Campus volunteer and from her presence at the Higher Things display booth and her personal visits to congregations.
Erika’s capable and enthusiastic outreach to Higher Things' supporters has provided us a firm foundation of good will among our donors upon which we can continue to build in the years to come. We are deeply grateful for Erika’s zeal for spreading the word about Higher Things and getting the Gospel of Jesus into the ears of our youth. We pray God’s peace and joy for her future adventures.
For questions regarding development, support, and donations please contact Pr. Joel Fritsche (fritschej@csl.edu).
Edited on: March 07th, 2008 7:09 pm
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Posted At: 11:39pm by Sandra Ostapowich
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 While
the available spots at all three Amen conferences have been filling up faster
than ever, we've also been deluged with emails and calls asking us for
extensions on turning in registrations and deposits. It seems that Lent
and Easter sneaking up on us so early this year has made getting youth groups
organized about as difficult as nailing Jell-O to a tree.
We've decided to extend registration through the week following Easter -
groups now have
until March 30 to register! You will continue to be able to download
registration forms and register online at www.amen2008.org
for nearly another month. This also allows groups who were having trouble
being decisive (you know who you are!) to decide to attend one of the three Amen
conferences this summer.
So why should you take advantage of this extension and send your youth to one
of the 2008 Amen Conferences?
 WORSHIP
- Conferences provide many opportunities for youth and chaperones to
participate in our best possible expression of traditional, Christ-centered,
Lutheran worship. Three times a day, services are conducted from the Lutheran
Service Book by LCMS pastors. The preaching and singing at Higher Things
conference is an amazing thing to behold. Smaller groups are also invited to
pray the service of Compline together each night before lights-out. Youth really
come to appreciate the liturgical traditions of our churches when they are
taught why we do what we do, so materials and opportunities to learn about our
historical worship practices will be provided for groups both before and during
the conferences.
 WORK
-"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young,"
St. Paul tells Timothy (1 Tim. 4:12). How can young people "Dare to be
Lutheran" if they don't know what it means to be a Lutheran in this world?
Catechesis (religious instruction) at Higher Things conferences is known for
being fairly intense - come prepared to learn! Many people today don't think
youth are capable of learning about doctrinal issues, or that they're even
interested in doing so. We have found just the opposite to be true! At our
conferences, youth have many, many opportunities to learn more about their faith
and its uniqueness in the Christian world. Sectional workshops are offered on a
variety of subjects of interest to young people to help them understand and
express a faithful perspective when talking to their friends, teachers, and
families. Catechetical speakers at Higher Things conferences are pastors or
laity in the LCMS.
 PLAY
- One of the reasons youth come to conferences is to meet other Lutherans from
around the world. Higher Things conferences incorporate many fun activities as
an integral part of the week! Each site we visit offers new and very different
ways for youth to enjoy themselves and get to know each other - baseball
games, karaoke, laser tag, hiking, square dancing, bowling, and improv comedy
have all been some of the ways we've had fun at past conferences. We also
schedule some free time so that groups can have an opportunity to have fun
together during the week as well.
For more information about the conference you can...
- Visit our official conference website at www.amen2008.org.
- Email us at conferences@higherthings.org.
- Call us toll-free at 1-888-HTCONF-08. If one of our operators is not
standing by for your call, leave a message and your call will be returned
within a day.
Higher Things dares to be Lutheran, meaning that we don't hide our
uncompromising emphasis on the Gospel and all that Christ has done for us. Youth
tell us again and again that they love Higher Things conferences because they
get to spend four days immersed in hearing the about their Savior and their
Christian faith. Don't miss this additional, extended opportunity to
attend one of the conferences this summer!
In Christ,
Sandra Ostapowich
2008 Amen Conference Coordinator
Higher Things, Inc.
Edited on: March 02nd, 2008 12:54 am
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Posted At: 10:41am by Rev. Marcus T. Zill
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Calling all college students!
If you are interested in serving as a Christ on Campus Volunteer (CCV) at one of this summer's Amen conferences but you haven't applied yet, you are encouraged to do so quickly!
Everything you need to learn about being a CCV and to apply online is right here.
For those of you who have applied, please note that we will be making final decisions within the next week after registration closes. We will let you know ASAP!
Rev. Marcus T. Zill
Christ on Campus Executive
Edited on: February 28th, 2008 6:50 pm
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Posted At: 1:27am by Sandra Ostapowich
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 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!
Edited on: February 24th, 2008 8:50 pm
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Posted At: 1:17am by Sandra Ostapowich
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 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!
Edited on: February 24th, 2008 1:23 am
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Posted At: 12:16am by Sandra Ostapowich
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 With
just nine days remaining in the regular registration period, two-thirds of the
2008 Higher Things conferences are more than fifty-percent to capacity! Both the Amen
- St. Louis and Amen - Irvine conferences are half full.
There's still room at all three conferences, but more and more groups are
registering each day! Register
your group now!
Please call 1-888-HTCONF08 or email conferences@higherthings.org
with any questions.
Edited on: February 21st, 2008 12:21 am
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Posted At: 4:20pm by Rev. William M. Cwirla
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What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. (1 Corinthians 3:5).
The members of the Corinthian congregation were prone to play favorites. “I belong to Paul; I belong to Cephas; I belong to Apollos.” We all do that, at least, the old Adam in us does - we put our faith, hope, and trust in persons other than the Person of Jesus Christ. “Trust not in princes, in mortal men who cannot save.” That’s sound advice in all aspects of life.
The test of any organization is its ability to transcend the persons and personalities who comprise it. That’s especially true for church organizations whose center and focus is the Person of Jesus and the Gospel of salvation in His name. We are nothing more than instruments and servants of the One who came to serve. Each of us has his or her own place, “as the Lord assigned to each.”
Higher Things is growing up into full maturity as an organization. What began as a small group of pastors with a zeal for youth has blossomed into a vast grassroots network of dedicated pastors, youth workers, and countless volunteers. We have a great magazine, a terrific web site, and three conferences that will potentially involve over 2000 youth. All of this eight short years!
We have been expertly guided by Pr. Klemet Preus as our president. He brought his name and reputation, his formidable pastoral and administrative skills, and his unflagging passion for youth to the task of guiding Higher Things through the difficult transition from an entrepreneurial “garage shop” to a vigorous organization that is able to stand on its own feet. At this juncture, Pr. Preus wants to turn his energies to new ventures and challenges, and we respect him for that. He recognizes, as we all do, that any organization that is dependent on one person is a house of cards ready to topple.
Great things are going on at Higher Things. We have three conferences this year - Scranton, St. Louis, and, for the first time in our history, on a Concordia campus at Concordia-Irvine. Our magazine is as edgy and informative as ever. Our newly remodeled web site is arguably the finest youth oriented web site on the internet. Higher Things regional retreats and local lock-ins are popping up faster than dandelions on your front lawn. We have a whole network of Christ on Campus ministries that offer the same liturgical, theological, and apologetic resources for our college students. All of this happens because of countless scores of dedicated people who freely give of themselves to challenge our youth and one another to “dare to be Lutheran.”
One of the great things about Higher Things is that we are not celebrity-driven, as so much of pop Christianity seems to be today. We don’t hire “dynamic” celebrity speakers or bring in big-name recording artists. Instead we use our own parish pastors, college professors, and parish musicians. We do this because we actually believe that God works through humble and ordinary means and that the Gospel of Jesus does not need a boost from our own ego and celebrity. As its mission statement indicates, Higher Things wants to be nothing more than a servant of the churches, “to assist parents, congregations, and pastors in cultivating and promoting a Lutheran identity among youth.”
The names and faces of Higher Things will change over the years, as they should. Each group of youth will graduate and grow beyond Higher Things, but hopefully not outgrow what they have learned and experienced in their time with us. However, the most important thing always remains the same: “Jesus Christ is the same - yesterday, today, and forever.”
Edited on: February 20th, 2008 8:11 pm
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