"It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up" (Eph. 4:11-12).
God's people join together around Word and sacrament, reaching out to a lost world. Dedicated, faithful workers assist and lead people in participating in the fulfillment of the great commission, building up the body of Christ. The vocations you can explore here represent some of the many ways in which you can serve the church in its vital ministries.
Here are a few of the ways to consider...
- Pastor
- Teacher
- Deaconess
- Director of Christian Education
- Director of Christian Outreach
- Director of Parish Music
- Lay Minister
- Director of Family Life Ministry
Pastor
Martin Luther wrote, "There is no more precious treasure, no nobler thing on earth, than a pious, faithful pastor or preacher." As a pastor, you will be looked to as both shepherd and servant of God's flock. Through you, on a daily basis, God will carry out his most wonderful work, that of saving the lost.
As you care for the members of a congregation, you will be active in preaching, teaching, administering the sacraments, visiting members, comforting the sorrowing, giving godly counsel, and providing a vision of outreach. You may also serve as a military or institution's chaplain, a foreign missionary, a church administrator, an educator, or a campus pastor.
Preparation for this calling requires four years of undergraduate study, preferably with a Christian liberal arts emphasis, followed by four years of theological study at a seminary - three years of on campus training and one year of vicarage in a congregation.
Pre-Seminary studies are offered at all 10 Concordia Universities, and Master of Divinity programs are available at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO and Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, IN.
10 Things you oughta know about a Pastor
Meet a pastor
Deaconess
Deaconess means "servant." As a Christian woman you are given the gifts to serve in a unique way, both within and outside the church. A life of service as a deaconess enables you to use your God-given gifts to nurture His people. Your vital tasks as a deaconess include spiritual care, teaching God's Word, administration and social service. You will accomplish these tasks in a variety of arenas: parishes, hospitals, welfare institutions, college campuses, inner cities and foreign mission fields. This is a flexible vocation that can be tailored to your gifts, vision and calling as God enables.
Certification as a deaconess follows one to four years of study (depending on previous education), majoring in theology with an additional area of special interest, followed by a year of internship.
Check out the deaconess web site: www.curf.edu/~crfdeaconess.
(Available at Concordia University, River Forest, Ill., Concordia Seminary, St. Louis and Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN.)
10 Things you oughta know about a Deaconess
Meet a Deaconess
Teacher (Lutheran Elementary and Secondary)
Christian teachers dedicate their lives to the exciting and enriching experience of helping to lead and develop young minds and personalities. Christian teachers share with pastors and parents the joy of satisfaction of being God's instruments to inspire and prepare children of God for a lifelong discipleship of Jesus Christ.
The most frequent opportunity for service lies in teaching classes in Lutheran preschools, elementary schools and high schools. The Lutheran teacher, however, has many opportunities to serve the Lord with special talents in such activities as being a church organist, coaching athletic teams, leading and coordinating youth programs, leading adult education endeavors and carrying out administrative responsibilities.
The professional education of the Christian teacher leads to state and church certification. This normally requires four or five years of college, including practical experience in a classroom.
(Available at: All ten Concordia University System campuses.)
Director of Christian Outreach
As a Director of Christian Outreach you are a valuable member of an outreach-oriented ministry team. Your primary function is to stimulate, educate, mobilize, and support parishioners in witnessing, evangelizing, and assimilating new members. You might also serve in a mission congregation or develop cross-cultural outreach in the United States or on a foreign mission field.
In addition, there are opportunities for you to serve in specialized service such as campus ministry or church planting. Your program of study requires four years of higher education and one year of internship that will prepare you for the variety of skills needed in the fields of evangelism and missions.
10 Things you oughta know about a DCO
Meet a DCO
Director of Parish Music
Music is a delightful, noble gift of God, one of His gifts to His people that we offer back to Him in praise and worship. As a Director of Parish Music, you will use your talents and spiritual sensitivity to enhance the musical life and worship experiences in the congregation you serve.
You will give leadership to choirs, bands and soloists and be involved in planning church services. Whether you serve part-time or full-time you will play an integral role in the life of the church and, by enhancing your congregation's love for communal worship, effectively proclaim the Gospel.
Your program of preparation requires four years of study along with a practicum in an area church.
Director of Christian Education
As congregations grow and adapt to changing demographics in a mobile society, DCE's are needed to provide vision and leadership in coordinating the church's various educational ministries. This can involve all ages. The DCE nourishes children, youth, adults, and family groups in Christian instruction and fosters growth in personal faith.
In time you will be qualified to lead, supervise, administer, coordinate, train and instruct in the various educational activities in the congregation you serve. Based on your gifts, you may also specialize or assist in counseling, music, or worship.
Professional preparation of Directors of Christian Education involves four years of college plus one year of internship in a congregation. (Available at Concordia Universities in Austin, Texas; Irvine, Calif.; Portland, Ore.; River Forest, Ill.; St. Paul, Minn.; Seward, Neb.)
10 Things you oughta know about a DCE
Lay Minister
Ministry is a team effort. The lay minister, as one of the members of a congregation's team of leaders, works under a pastor's guidance and direction in a great variety of ways, depending on talents and area of specialty. Your position description could include evangelism, visitation, Christian education, youth work, senior ministries, parish administration, assimilation and spiritual gifts administration, and other applicable ministries.
The four-year course of study for a lay minister includes a major in theology and involves an internship or practicum. (Available at Concordia University, Mequon, WI)
10 Things you oughta know about a Lay Minister
Director of Family Life Ministry
Families with a strong commitment to Christ and a life of service to others provide a positive influence in and throughout the world. As a Director of Family Life Ministry, you will support and equip healthy relationships in families. The Family Life graduate will be certified by the National Council on Family Relations and equipped to develop and implement programming in a congregation to strengthen healthy families. The Director of Family Life Ministry will serve as a partner on a congregation's ministry team.
This program is available at Ann Arbor and Bronxville.