Ben Carlovsky Finds Deep Content to Match Deep Passion

Ben Carlovsky MLC ’03 was originally enrolled in MLC’s Master of Science in Educational Administration program. As an elementary school principal at Abiding Word-Houston, that made sense. But when he accepted a call to teach religion at Wisconsin Lutheran High School, he switched programs midstream. Now he’s a 2023 graduate of our Master of Arts in Theological Studies program, a program with deep content to match his deep passion.

Why he enrolled: I wanted to dig into the Bible and to learn more about the content that I’m teaching at Wisconsin Lutheran High School. I took classes ranging from New Testament Studies to Mission Trips. From Apologetics to Hermeneutics. I not only wanted to grow in my content knowledge, but also learn from the amazing teachers and my fellow students in the program. I enjoyed reading and learning from their perspectives.

What he found: The program exceeded my expectations. The wide variety of teachers and topics was much appreciated. And I enjoyed the structure of the classes, which allowed me to fit them into my schedule.

Some specific examples: I greatly enjoyed the perspectives gain in my Biblical Hermeneutics classes with Pastor Paul Wendland [former Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary president and professor]. How to interpret the Bible is a skill that can be used across the classes that I teach. I also enjoyed how we could raise questions from our classroom, and we were given biblical feedback and best practices. I also enjoyed Old Testament with Dr. Ken Cherney and Dr. John Boeder’s class on mission trips. Both were extremely applicable and timely.

Getting fed: This program was so heavy on the Bible, and the Bible works! It works on all of us. I personally read and reflected more often on the promises of God during the completion of this program.

Feeding others too: I am passionate about teaching students about God and his Word. As I took the classes, I found myself incorporating the conversations and topics into my teaching. I know that my students have benefited from my time in this program.

His encouragement: I would say that you should be ready to work, but the work pays off. Find a program that excites you, and continue to work and grow in that area.

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About Ben Carlovsky:

Family: “My wife, Betsy, teaches sixth grade at St. John-Milwaukee. We have two boys, Luke (sophomore at Wisconsin LHS) and Landon (eighth grader at St. John’s).”

Congregation: St. John-Milwaukee

Previous ministries:
St. Paul-Green Bay WI: staff minister and teacher
Abiding Word-Houston: principal and teacher

Hobbies: “I love being outside and playing sports, especially soccer, basketball, and disc golf.”