First-Years Immersed in Ministry

First-Years Immersed in Ministry

We piloted an exciting new Early Ministry Experience (EME) program with some preseminary students last school year, and—wow!—did we see the benefits! So now it’s become a regular feature of our preseminary program. In the first year of their eight-year journey to the pulpit, the students spend a few days immersed in congregational life. Of course, each EME is a little different, as each congregation has its own local color, and each pastor brings his own set of strengths to his call. Here’s a little reflection from three students who completed their EME during the January term.

God’s Grace at Grace

Amarillo TX

Isaiah Carlovsky, William Lambrecht, and Aaron Economy visited Amazing Grace-Amarillo, Texas. They sang and did the readings for the service, discussed ministry with Pastor Hans Thomford and Staff Minister Derek Gulrud, and then did some service projects, including staining wood in the church.

Here’s what Isaiah learned: A church is a family: Ministry is more than pulpits and Bible studies. It’s relationships with your members. What I noticed in this church is that they’re very close. They’re a family. Maybe because they’re smaller, they check in on each other, help each other.

Different backgrounds keeps things interesting: In a mission church, a lot of the members won’t be WELS-born-raised. They may be people from different church bodies, or people who fell away, or people who are new converts. So this church did things to appeal to all of them. They used some contemporary music and taught a new song every month. But they still kept the traditional stuff too.

Words of wisdom from Pastor Thomford: Pastor Thomford emphasizing the idea that not all churches are like smalltown Midwestern churches. The church is changing. And though lots of things don’t change—and shouldn’t change—we do have to look to the future. We do have to help the future church grow.

Other Texas highlights: We went to a Texan tea place. I’m imagining old ladies with tea cups, but it’s actually vats of all kinds of tea. We bought three gallons. We went to a ranch and helped a member do some chores. We also went to the Big Texan and ate an 18-ounce steak.

Looking ahead to his ministry: I was already set, but this experience confirmed my decision. ‘Wow, this is fun,’ I thought. I think maybe I could handle this kind of mission work.

Rising Faith at Resurrection

Verona, Wisconsin

Jacob Wotruba and Lucas Prange spent four days at Resurrection in Verona, Wisconsin. They helped put together a Bible study, studied Greek with Pastor Paul Schupmann for his sermon,  attended a meeting and Bible class, and observed the rhythm and flow of the day for a pastor at a midsize church in Wisconsin. Here’s what Jacob learned:

Mutual encouragement: It was super encouraging to meet all the new people. They were so welcoming! And they were encouraged to know that we were studying to be pastors. Other Wisconsin highlights: We were treated to lunch by the Vines and Branches Bible study group and to a Wisconsin Badger basketball game by a long-term member of Resurrection who had lots of historical stories to tell.

Looking ahead to his ministry: Coming into school here, I already had a great passion for ministry and sharing God’s Word, and after this trip, I feel even more encouraged. It’s just good to see how we can one day make a difference in people’s lives by sharing the gospel.

Building on the Sure Foundation

Brandon, South Dakota

Andy Raasch visited Sure Foundation, a 5-year-old mission startup in Brandon, South Dakota. He spent four days shadowing Pastor Craig Wilke, sitting in on catechism classes, leadership meetings, a Building Committee meeting, and some Bible Basics courses. Here’s what Andy learned:

Building fast: My favorite part of the entire trip was sitting in on the Building Committee’s meeting. They’re a young mission startup, and they’re already making plans to build a multi-million- dollar church.

Ministry from an entrepreneur’s view: Having an entrepreneurial background, I thought it was super cool to see the numbers behind everything. It was also awesome to see the visual models of what the church might look like. I hadn’t thought of how entrepreneurial being a pastor was, but shadowing a pastor of a mission startup definitely revealed that. I got to witness Pastor Wilke do some accounting and collaborating as well as ultimately creating and presenting a proposal to the Building Committee.

Looking ahead to his ministry: My EME trip affirmed and fueled my desire to pursue pastoral ministry! It excited me for the possibility of getting called to serve at a mission startup church!