Ordination in WELS

Ordination takes place after a man has successfully finished his prescribed course of study—during which he concurs with the public doctrine of the synod—and has received and accepted an initial call into the public ministry.

There are traditional (Martin Luther College and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary) and non-traditional (Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary’s Pastoral Studies Institute) prescribed courses of study.

Ordination is the rite that recognizes the fitness of the individual for the pastoral office and the divine call he has received and accepted. The rite also provides the individual with the opportunity to make public confessions of his faith and promises to conduct his ministry in faithfulness to Scripture, with the help and strength of God. Prayers for the individual and the congregation are an important part of that rite.