DOXOLOGY II

“Prescriptions for the Soul: Pastoral Care through the Word”

February 1 – 3, 2027

Lindenwood Retreat & Conference Center — Plymouth, IN

Our Holy God listens, talks, and writes. The Trinity engages in conversation: “Let us make man in our image.” So we, the only creatures originally made in the image of God, join in this sacred gift of communicating. Seelsorgers, physicians of the soul, use the Lord’s words “in season and out of season” to kill and to make alive, to rebuke, correct, and exhort. We listen, observe, and diagnose spiritual maladies to apply the cure of souls as needed.

Delightfully, the proclaimed Word of our Lord creates its own culture. We’re sent with it to a world largely lost in error’s maze. Especially as Seelsorgers we learn from Luther’s use of letters in the care of souls and employ letter writing ourselves. We are authorized to hear confession and deliver our Lord’s absolution. Of course, we’re also tempted to be bored with our Lord and His holy Word, to doubt its effectiveness, and to despair. But our Lord has a prescription for our Acedia afflicted souls, too.

Join us as we explore the richness of Prescriptions for the Soul: Pastoral Care through the Word with Rev. Dr. Stephen Pietsch, professor at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis with deep insights on Luther’s use of letters and the challenge of Acedia; Rev. Dr. Lucas Woodford, pastor and District President of Minnesota South, who co-wrote The Culture of God’s Word: Faithful Ministry in a Post-Christian Society;  Rev. Timothy Koch, pastor, editor of DOXOLOGY’s journal Seelsorger, who actively canvasses communities and sends handwritten letters to souls in need; Rev. Mark Barz, campus pastor, at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Rev. Timothy Pauls is the chaplain. Rev. Lance Klamer serves as cantor.

All of this will be surrounded by rich prayer offices, brotherly conversation, counsel, consultations, spiritual refreshment and care for our own souls in these gray and latter days.

Main Presenters: 

Rev. Dr. Stephen Pietsch is professor of Practical Theology and dean of Theological Research and Publication at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He joined the faculty in 2023. He previously served at Australian Lutheran College. His doctoral thesis research brought together Luther’s perspectives on pastoral theology and practice, theology and psychology, which later became the basis for his book, “Of Good Comfort: Martin Luther’s Letters to the Depressed and their Significance for Pastoral Care Today” (ATF Press, 2016). He is working on a second monograph with Concordia Publishing House that will focus on Luther’s general approach to pastoral care for those experiencing distress or suffering.

Rev. Timothy Koch serves as Pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Linn, KS. He also serves as the general editor of DOXOLOGY’s journal, Seelsorger. He is the founder of Jesus Door-2-Door (JD2D) an evangelism program for Lutheran Churches. He is active in Hispanic ministry, serves as a vicarage supervisor, and is currently helping with a church plant in Concordia, KS.

DOXOLOGY Fellows: 

• Rev. Mark Barz, Presenter = “The Great Physician Is In: Individual Confession and Absolution”
• Rev. Timothy Pauls, Event Chaplain 

Who should attend:   DOX II is open to all pastors who have previously participated in a DOXOLOGY Gathering or other conference.

Location:  Lindenwood Retreat & Conference Center, Plymouth, IN.  Learn more about the venue: click here.  Address and map: click here. 

Event schedule:  Registration begins at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on February 1st.  The opening Prayer Office is at 2:45 p.m. Eastern Time.  The conference ends by Noon on February 3rd.  Tentative event schedule: click here.

Registration Cost, with on-campus lodging:  $475 includes program, instructional materials, lodging, meals and receptions.

Registration Cost, for commuters:  $355 includes program, instructional materials, lunches, suppers and receptions. Cost does not include lodging or breakfasts.