Symposium

About the WLS Annual Symposium

Inaugurated in 2000 as part of the 150th anniversary of the Wisconsin Synod, the annual symposium attracts several hundred pastors who gather together with seminary students and faculty to hear and discuss presentations on important church topics. Held on the Monday and Tuesday following the third Sunday in September, the symposium includes three essays, a festival service, and an evening of relaxation and fellowship. Sessions begin at 1:00 p.m. on Monday and end at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

The essays presented at the symposium can be found on the seminary website shortly after the symposium has concluded. For those who would like to participate in real-time but are not able to join as an in-person participant, an on-line only option for registration will be possible. In this option, a link will be provided for real-time access to the essays, reactions, and comments. As always, a live-streamed feed to the symposium worship service will be provided to the public.

Registration for the annual symposium opens on July 1 and closes on September 1 each year.

This Year’s Symposium

The 2023 Symposium on The Two Kingdoms has come to a close. You may find links to the 2023 essays in our Symposium archives after the finalized versions have been received.

Planning for a 2024 Symposium on Lutheran Worship Turns 500 is underway. It will be held on September 16-17, 2024. Once again, we will look forward to welcoming three different essayists who will present thoughts on different aspects of our Lutheran worship history and current context. Additional information on the essayists, specific topics, and schedule of events will appear here as it is finalized.

Contact

For specific questions, please contact Nola Zemlicka at nola.zemlicka@wisluthsem.org or 262-242-8141.