Feb 25, 2010 Print This Article

Seminary to Hold Law Enforcement Chaplaincy Workshop

Concordia Seminary, together with Peace Officer Ministries, Inc. (POM), will host “Christian Law Enforcement Chaplaincy—Theology and Practice,” on May 24-28 on the Seminary campus. The workshop offers unique accredited training for chaplains, peace officers, and pastors, focusing on effective Christian ministry to and through law enforcement.

Key principles that participants can expect to take away with them after attending the workshop include: understanding law enforcement as vocation (God’s calling); distinguishing and properly applying Law and Gospel and God’s Two Kingdoms within a law enforcement context; addressing practical, legal, historical, cultural, and missiological considerations; employing Christian stress management and officer spiritual survival strategies; and identifying characteristics of a competent Christian chaplain. The Department of Homeland Security Course Component fulfills DHS Guidelines. for

Rev. Steve Lee, founding chaplain of POM, will serve as the introductory speaker on Monday morning. Other presenters include: William J. Becker Jr., Esq., Becker Law Firm, Los Angeles, Calif.; Michael D. Dahmer, former officer and current licensed professional engineer with expertise in national security, counterterrorism, and homeland security, Jerome, Idaho; Maj. Daniel Dusseau, Commander of District 1 for the Prince George’s County Police Department, Dunkirk, Md., and Chairman of POM Board of Directors; William G. Jones, Assistant Chief, Perryville Police Department, Mo.; Rev. Glenn F. Merritt, former officer and current Director of Disaster Response at LCMS World Relief and Human Care, St. Louis, Mo.; Dr. Tomas C. Mijares, former Detroit Police SWAT sergeant and current professor of criminal justice, Texas State University, Austin, Texas; Rev. Frank Ruffatto, retired detective and current executive director and chaplain, Peace Officer Ministries, Inc., Cornelius, N.C.; Steven Ruffatto, retired detective and current adjunct professor in criminal justice at Elizabethtown College, University of Phoenix, and Harrisburg Area Community College, York, Penn.; Dr. John J. South, Vietnam and police veteran, L.E. and Army Chaplain, Critical Point Solutions LLC, Phoenix, Ariz.; and Bob Vernon, former Assistant Chief, Los Angeles Police Department (ret’d).

Registration cost is $340. This includes four breakfasts, five lunches and three dinners, plus CEUs for full participation. Limited on-campus housing is available on a first-come first-served basis. Housing is dormitory style with shared bathrooms and showers. Rooms are on the second floor and are not handicapped accessible. Rates are $30 per night for single or couple and $17.50 per night for a shared room.

For more information, contact the Office of Continuing Education and Parish Services at 314-505-7486, [email protected]; or visit the Seminary’s Web site at www.csl.edu for a downloadable brochure.