Seminars

Seminars are conducted throughout North America by Tom Baker, Director of Development of Concordia Mission Society and a pastor of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Topics focus on the distinctions between Law and Gospel with over 40 PowerPoint presentations prepared on practical and helpful understandings of Biblical application. While there is no upfront costs for the seminars, most locations provide a contribution for the ongoing work of CMS.

The following are the most popular schedules for congregations and/or pastor and teacher gatherings.

1) Sundays only: Preach in the worship services and do the Bible study followed by a potluck or catered meal with a two-hour seminar in the afternoon.

2) Saturday and Sunday (Option 1): Seminar held Saturday from 10 through 3 with a lunch followed with Sunday morning preaching and Bible study.

3) Saturday and Sunday (Option 2): Seminar held Saturday afternoon from 1 through 5 with a light snack break followed with Sunday morning preaching and Bible study.

4) Sunday and Monday: Sunday morning preaching and Bible study followed by a meal and a seminar for adults from 1 to 3, followed by a youth seminar with a pizza supper in the evening followed by a Monday morning seminar for pastors in the area from 10 through noon.

5) Weekday evenings: Because I am on AM 850 KFUO radio Monday through Friday from 1 to 3 pm, the evenings are open. I am available to lead Bible studies within a 100 miles radius of Saint Louis most evenings from Monday through Thursday.

Note: While the above are the most popular schedulings for the seminars, other times are also possible. Contact Tom Baker for availability through email at lawgospel@lawgospel.com or by phoning the CMS toll free number at 1-877-CMS-1962 (1-877-267-1962). Leave name and phone number as the toll free number is checked frequently during the day.

Seminar Subject Material:

The Powerpoint presentations consists of charts developed by Tom Baker to help make it easier to understand the complex distinctions between Law and Gospel. Both the proper uses of Law and Gospel are taught as well as a novel set of chartings of how not to divide Law and Gospel based on the ground-breaking lectures of C.F.W. Walther concerning the proper distinctions between Law and Gospel.

Specific topics cover the theses of Walther, the theses of Martin Luther’s Heidelberg Disputation, the reason why most parables need to be renamed, along with tools to help both clergy and laity read the Bible with a discerning eye in keeping the proper distinctions between Law and Gospel. Over a three-year period of delivering these unique lectures, Pastor Baker has returned to some locations up to four times.

One theme that is popular is “How To Get A Standing Ovation.” This refers to standing ovations of the heart (Emmaus disciples had burning hearts as they heard Jesus). Such a standing ovation might occur after a sermon, a Bible study or even witnessing to a friend. Pastor Baker will provide Law and Gospel charts with a major understanding of what it means to live under grace. At the end of the presentation, those attending will have specific tools to use in providing standing ovation sermons, Bible studies and witnessing.

As indicated earlier there is no set fee for the seminars. Some locations will take free will offerings or provide compensation for sermons, Bible studies and mileage. However, all checks are to be made out to: CONCORDIA MISSION SOCIETY since Pastor Baker is working full-time as Director of Development. Brought to most seminars when feasible are free materials from CMS including copies of GOOD NEWS edited by Wallace Schulz, “Glad Tidings” and miscellaneous information. Also, if possible, products can be purchased from CMS at the site including novels by Pastor Peter Kurowski, sermons by Pastor George Rattelmuller, Bible studies by Pastor Tom Baker, CDs of Adult Instruction, Renaming the Parables, The Death of a Son and other items, all of which are found on the website at lawgospel.com.

Additionally, Pastor Baker will provide a PowerPoint presentation on a subject of your choice as seen through the prism of Law and Gospel. Some of those included paradoxes of the cross, how to deal with strife in a congregation, specific Bible passages that are often misunderstood, and so forth. If you need further information, please contact Tom Baker toll free at 1-877-CMS-1962 or email at lawgospel@lawgospel.com. you can also write to him. See Contact Us for that address.

Biography of Tom Baker for Press Release

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