Recruiting for Church Work Careers

The LCMS is very aware of the growing need in our churches and schools for professional church workers . . . men and women who are specially equipped to share the Gospel message. The colleges, universities and seminaries of the LCMS have many opportunities to reach out and give encouragement to those considering or pursuing a career in the church, as well as to provide information to congregations and individuals about the various careers and how to prepare for them.

The Office of University Education maintains a database of 130,000 LCMS youth from grades eight to eleven, requesting these names from each congregation. The office conducts four major mailings a year, one to each grade level, encouraging the youth to consider a professional church vocation and offering information about the Concordia University System.

Every March each congregation in the Synod receives a packet of information and materials for celebrating Concordia Sunday in April. This mailing contains several pieces which provide suggestions to aid a congregation in the recruitment process. The mailing also promotes a special offering envelope which encourages parishioners to give to a fund designated specifically for students studying to go into church work.

A number of endowment funds have been established by donors with earnings dedicated to church work recruitment or aiding students in church worker programs.

 An informational website [this website] describes the various church work careers and offers suggestions regarding recruitment techniques.

The individual institutions are active in conducting independent programs, fairs, seminars, and gatherings to encourage church work, and focus on nurturing those students already in church work programs. Campuses send out mailings of their own, conduct their own Concordia Sundays, and connect with church and area leaders to reach the youth in the area with information about careers in the church. Recruiters from colleges and seminaries travel throughout the United States, visiting schools and churches and speaking to young people who may be tomorrow's church leaders. Once students have decided to attend a Concordia, they are invited to participate in the vital, energized spiritual life of each campus and are given opportunities to learn more about the career paths they can follow in service to their church.

"Pray ye therefore the Lord of the Harvest that He would send forth laborers into His Harvest." Luke 10:2