• “How could you ask for more?! I honestly get to tell people, I love my ‘job’!”
    – Chad White
      Read full profile

  • “It has been my experience that no two staff
    ministers do exactly the same thing. Each one
    uses the gifts, abilities, and opportunities that
    the Lord provides them, and their
    congregations, to serve his people.”

      – Brian Davidson
      Read full profile

  • “There is so much ministry to be done and
    so many roles to fill. Staff ministry is a
    wonderful way for those who, like me, don’t
    necessarily want to preach or be a school
    teacher, but want to spend their days
    serving in the church and reaching people
    with the gospel.”
    – Brandon Steenbock
      Read full profile

  • “I am blessed to be able to call staff ministry
    my job. Every day God uses me to proclaim
    his message of salvation to His people. ”
    – Matthew Werner
      Read full profile

  • “My direction and goal were getting foggy,
    which was
    a tad alarming – and then God
    decided a complete redirect was in order”
    – Kristen Koepsell
      Read full profile

  • “Be careful what you pray for, my friends.
    We have an awesome God who uses fishermen,
    tax collectors, musicians, doctors, and even a
    former mailman to share his good news with
    the world. You may be next.”
    – Mike Mundstock
      Read full profile

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Program Plan
Application
Course Calendar
Registration

and Current Course Offerings

FAQs
Staff Ministry Profiles
Contact Ministry Certification Office

WELS Staff Ministry Certification

Youth and family minister, outreach director, worship coordinator, church administrator, volunteer coordinator  . . .  when a congregation or other calling body has a need for a ministry position that does not include preaching, it may decide to fill that need by calling a staff minister.

At Martin Luther College, the WELS College of Ministry, we can prepare you for staff ministry in one of the 1200+ churches of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. We will give you the basic theological training and the practical skills you need to develop and use the unique ministry gifts God has given you.  Specifically, we’ll train you to serve in youth work, evangelism, family ministry, visitation, administration, and Christian education. The required courses are all available online.

If you opt for the staff ministry program, you’ll be choosing not just a profession, but a profession of faith; not just a job, but a ministry, a calling, and a way of life.

Dr. Lawrence Olson
Director, Staff Ministry Program
Phone: 507-354-8221 ext. 252
Email: