DSC_4345   Birthplace of WELS
*Dates for the current year’s CAPstone session can be found on the ‘Upcoming Seminars and CAPSTONE‘ page.

The final component of the program, the only element that is not offered locally, is the 8-day CAPstone session split between New Ulm, Minnesota, and Milwaukee and Mequon, Wisconsin. Students may participate in the CAPstone session after completing the other program requirements. Those who, for legitimate reasons, are unable to attend should contact the director to see whether alternate arrangements can be made.

The CAPstone session is typically held once a year in the summer. CAPstone participants will spend Saturday evening through Thursday afternoon on the Martin Luther College campus in New Ulm studying Biblical Interpretation and Understanding Other Cultures. Because MLC has summer courses scheduled at the same time, students have the opportunity to worship with and get to know pastors, staff ministers, and teachers who are also on campus.

Thursday afternoon the group leaves for southeast Wisconsin. The CAPstone participants will learn about the work we do together as a synod at the WELS Center for Mission and Ministry, engage in outreach activities with a Milwaukee area congregation, worship at the historic Grace Church in downtown Milwaukee, take a tour involving several Milwaukee-area sites of significance to our church body’s history, and complete a course on the history of the Wisconsin Synod at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. The CAPstone session concludes Sunday afternoon.

Stain Glass - Jesus    Grace - exterior    Stain Glass - Jesus child

The following is a list of the CAPstone courses and the materials participants will need to read before attending CAPstone. All 3 books are available from the program’s administrative assistant.

WELS History and Structure

Brief history of WELS and its place in American church history. Overview of synodical mission statement, structure and work of its divisions. Visits to synodical headquarters and WLS as well as meeting synod leaders.

Prior required reading – Together in Christ: A History of the Wisconsin Ev. Lutheran Synod by John Braun

Understanding Other Cultures

Introduction to what culture is, how cultures vary, and how to learn to understand other cultures with an emphasis on raising up leaders from within the church to serve the church and their community.

Prior required reading – Change by E. Allen Sorum

Biblical Interpretation

Review of principles of Bible interpretation. Examples and effects of improper interpretation. Instructive and faith-strengthening. Written in a language that the lay person will understand.

Prior required reading – Biblical Interpretation: The Only Right Way by David P. Kuske