Lutheran Studies Conference

The 13th Annual Lutheran Studies Conference will take place from 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and will flow into the 18th Annual David and Marilyn Knutson Lecture in the evening at 7 p.m. This conference focuses on a pressing issue in our time: A newly-named “pandemic” of Anxiety that is present on individual, relational, spiritual and societal levels.

The conference features an incredible line up of leading experts from social and natural science approaches as well as counselors, educators, and student advocates for mental health and wellness. At the start of each session, these speakers will lead the conference participants through a brief strategy or tool to manage anxiety. See also the suggested readings below for reading suggestions on the topic of anxiety. We encourage you to read individually or with others prior to the conference.

An Adult forum book discussion offered for congregations on Sunday, Oct 1 at 9:45am prior to the conference. It will focus on our societal, familial and political struggles with polarization, understanding and compassion. Congregations are encouraged to join students in reading the Knutson lecture speaker’s book: Love Without Limits: Jesus’ Radical Vision for Love with No Exceptions (2022) by Jaqueline Bussie. The author may join us for the adult forum on the book. Please encourage your congregation to read ahead! There will be a book signing following the Knutson lecture and there is a special morning event with Dr. Bussie for congregations on Oct. 4 as well.

The conference is free and open to the public and is made possible by the generosity of the anonymous donors who endowed the University Chair in Lutheran Studies.