Teaching in any school is a wonderful way to honor God and serve children and families. Teaching in a WELS school carries an additional responsibility: the spiritual nurture of children and their families. This task includes . . .

  • teaching God’s Word accurately and in accord with the Lutheran Confessions;
  • applying law and gospel correctly to children’s lives;
  • teaching all lessons in the light of God’s Word;
  • ministering to the spiritual needs of children and
    their families; and
  • serving as a spiritual leader in the congregation and school.

Teachers in WELS schools, then, should be WELS members who are both skilled at teaching and also possess a deep understanding of God’s Word and Lutheran doctrine. This instruction prepares them for the gospel ministry they do in their classrooms, a ministry they see as a great privilege and joy.

By divine call. WELS teachers are called by a congregation or school under the auspices of one of the 12 WELS district presidents. District presidents oversee matters of doctrine and practice, so it’s their responsibility to authorize candidates for public ministry, approve their calling, and ensure they serve faithfully.

How does one prepare for a divine call?

MLC: The majority of teachers in WELS schools have graduated from Martin Luther College, whose sole mission is to instill the habits of mind and heart required of gospel ministers.

Teaching Ministry Certification: Sometimes teachers who received their degrees from other colleges wish to teach in a WELS school. Already being qualified as teachers, they need only complete the ministry certification. Most often, teachers are called to WELS schools after completing their ministry training through MLC or through ministry certification. In cases where a teacher prepared for gospel ministry is not available, a district president may permit a congregation or school to issue a provisional call to a qualified teacher. By accepting the provisional call, the teacher agrees to complete teaching ministry certification within six years.

Teaching ministry certification provides assurance that the teacher . . .

  • is a WELS member in good standing who faithfully makes use of the means of grace;
  • holds the proper teaching credentials (bachelor’s degree or license) for the called responsibilities;
  • is able to teach;
  • knows and can apply the Word of God, Christian doctrine, and the Lutheran Confessions in a Lutheran school setting; and
  • has received the same ministry training as graduates of Martin Luther College.

Teaching ministry certification provides ministry training only, not an education degree or teaching license. It’s only available to those who are already teachers.

Professionally qualified teachers who are provisionally called should enter the Ministry Certification program before installation.

The certification process requires 18 credits through Martin Luther College. Most courses can be completed online, and the others can be completed at a location near you. In some situations, a teacher may need to come to MLC to complete a course.

Certification candidates are also required to demonstrate their ability to teach and apply God’s Word in all aspects of teaching and classroom management as a culminating experience. Their principals are asked to observe in their classrooms and complete an evaluation form to complete this requirement.

18 CREDITS
K-16 Teachers
Biblical History & Literature I (3cr)
Biblical History & Literature II (3cr)
Biblical History & Literature III (3cr)
Christian Doctrine I (3cr)
Christian Doctrine II (3cr)
Principles of Christian Ed (3cr)

18 CREDITS
ECE Directors
Biblical History & Literature I (3cr)
Biblical History & Literature II (3cr)
Biblical History & Literature III (3cr)
Christian Doctrine I (3cr)
Christian Doctrine II (3cr)

Choose 3 credits:
ECE Music & Worship (1cr)
Home & School Relationships (1cr)
Roles/Responsibilities of ECE (1cr)
ECE in Outreach (1cr)
ECE Bible Story Telling (1cr)
Teaching Religion in ECE (2cr)

18 CREDITS
ECE Teachers
Biblical History & Literature I (3cr)
Biblical History & Literature II (3cr)

Choose one:
Christian Doctrine I (3cr)
Christian Doctrine II (3cr)

Choose 5 credits:
Music & Worship in ECE (1cr)
Home & School Relationships (1cr)
Roles/Responsibilities of ECE (1cr)
ECE in Outreach (1cr)
Bible Story Telling in ECE (1cr)
Teaching Religion in ECE (2cr)

Choose 4 credits:
Pre-Primary Curriculum I (1cr)
Pre-Primary Curriculum II (1cr)
Operation & Management ECE (1cr)
Assessment of Young Child (2cr)
Physical & Motor Devel’t (1cr)
Intel, Social, & Emotional Devel’t (1cr)
Health & Safety in ECE (1cr)
Encouraging Literacy Devel’t (1cr)
Play & Learning Experiences (1cr)

Teaching ministry certification ensures that you’ve been thoroughly instructed in God’s Word, Christian doctrine, the Lutheran Confessions, law and gospel application, and integration of the Word into all subjects taught in the classroom. Most people, no matter how well-qualified they are as teachers or how devoted they are to the Lord, do not possess the depth of understanding in God’s Word expected of called gospel ministers.

If you’ve received a divine call from a congregation, please send in an application.

If you’re in a hired position, or not called, please send in an application, pastor’s recommendation, college & university official transcripts, and recent teaching evaluation. Official transcripts sent from BLC and WLC will be considered for applicable transfer credits. If you will be in the Early Childhood Teacher program and have college credits earned in Early Childhood, please have your college & university official transcripts sent.

Yes. We accept all applicable credits earned at Wisconsin Lutheran College and Bethany Lutheran College. The deans of these colleges have agreed upon the courses that have content similar to the teaching ministry certification courses and are therefore transferable. Religion courses that do not have the same content, such as Introduction to Christianity, would not be transferable. Religion courses from colleges not in our fellowship are not transferable.

District presidents and calling bodies recognize and celebrate all teaching gifts God gives, and they’re grateful to all institutions that prepare men and women to teach. But they also recognize that teaching in WELS schools requires not only an education degree or license, but also thorough instruction in God’s Word and the Lutheran Confessions. As the WELS College of Ministry, MLC has been tasked by the synod to provide that instruction. When all teachers in WELS schools have received the same thorough religious instruction, we enjoy a unity of confession and practice that other church bodies’ school systems do not enjoy.

The two programs share content, so a teacher can work on both at the same time.

Click here for more information on the CDA Credential Training program. 

Because early childhood directors provide spiritual direction for the staff and minister to parents, many of whom are nonmembers, a solid foundation in God’s Word and doctrine is essential. A director’s certification qualifies for K-16 as well. Early childhood teachers have modified training requirements. Because their duties are primarily teaching Bible lessons and carrying out gospel ministry in the classroom, their courses focus on practical applications of God’s Word. Some pedagogical training is also included for those who have not formally prepared for teaching young children.

Ministry-certified teachers who step out of called ministry for a while need to contact their district president before entering called ministry again. Ministry re-entry procedures vary, depending on how long a person has been out of the WELS classroom, but generally it involves the district president reviewing call eligiblity based on reasons for leaving, length of time away, and professional activities while out of ministry.

Once the district president is satisfied a person is ready for called ministry, he authorizes the person as a candidate for calls into ministry on a provisional or permanent basis.