Assignment and graduation days at Martin Luther College and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary

It’s that time of year when we will again see prayers answered. Students at Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn., will be graduating from our WELS college of ministry. Some of those graduates will continue their preparation to be pastors at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis. Others will graduate on Sat., May 17, having completed their training to be teachers and staff ministers. Later on that same day, candidates will be assigned to their places of service in God’s kingdom. As we see those prayers for workers in God’s harvest field answered, we respond with thanks to God for providing those workers and to the many young people who have answered God’s call with the words, “Here am I. Send me!”

The following week, something similar will happen at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. Seminary students in their second year will be assigned as vicars. For an entire year, they will see firsthand what the pastoral ministry is all about and gain hands-on experience in serving God’s people with Word and sacrament. Seniors will also be assigned to their first place of service. Some will be assigned as pastors while others will be assigned for a year as tutors in our synodical ministerial education schools.

As of the April meeting of the Conference of Presidents, there were 156 pastoral vacancies in the synod, with 149 of those being parish pastor positions. With 25 candidates available, their assignment will reduce the number of pastor vacancies, but the pastoral shortage will continue.

A similar high vacancy rate is taking place in teacher positions. WELS school enrollments have increased significantly in the last two years—a real blessing—but that has caused a need for more teachers than are currently available. It’s estimated that even after teacher candidates are assigned at Martin Luther College this month, there will still be approximately 100 to 120 vacancies in teaching positions. The Commission on Lutheran Schools has been working with congregations to find ways to fill the vacancies. At the same time, Martin Luther College has been redoubling its efforts to recruit both traditional and non-traditional teacher candidates. It will also be exploring other ideas to provide more teacher candidates.

We thank God for our ministerial training system and for the workers it trains so well. We send them into their new calls with the prayer that God will bless them and the people they serve.

Serving with you in Christ,
WELS President Mark Schroeder

Visit wels.net/events for more details about commencement and assignment events.