Jesus declared the fields ripe for harvest yet lamented the scarcity of workers—a truth that remains prevalent today as we sustain and expand ministry efforts. Planting new churches, opening mission fields, and growing Lutheran schools amplify the call for pastors, teachers, and staff ministers to serve as Christ’s ambassadors. We pray that God will guide us to be faithful stewards of his mission as we intensify recruitment and training efforts while also aligning plans for ministry growth with our current realities.
God calls his people to serve his kingdom in diverse ways. While we face a shortage of called workers and candidates for ministry, there are also new opportunities to ensure every willing heart can serve no matter their earthly circumstances.
We will continue expanding pathways into gospel ministry so that every person who desires to serve in ministry has opportunities to do so.
Though the percentage of WELS youth training for ministry holds steady, decades of membership decline yield fewer souls to answer Christ’s calling. We must pursue bold, creative recruitment to reach the next generations of called workers.
Through this plan, we pray the Holy Spirit works through our recruitment efforts to spark passion for gospel ministry in young adult and second-career candidates.
Our ministerial education schools are essential to carrying out Christ’s mission. Each school must remain steadfast, adaptable, and financially sound to equip future called workers for ministry.
We will establish the long-term stability of our ministerial education schools through thoughtful strategy, praying God will bless the training of his workers.
We are called to share Christ’s love while also being faithful stewards of our resources. Our goal is to help WELS leaders—in the synod, congregations, and schools—consider their options for sustainable staffing and ministry opportunities.
Trusting the Holy Spirit to bless these efforts, we will ensure the growing number of ministry opportunities matches the workforce God has called to serve.
The Lord sends workers to a harvest that demands steadfast endurance. It is our duty as a synod and as congregations to support our workers’ service.
We will bolster the well-being of called workers by equipping them with resources for spiritual renewal, emotional fortitude, and physical vigor while empowering congregations with practical tools to meet their workers’ needs.
WELS Ministerial Education works to provide workers for the more than 1,200 churches and 750 schools in the synod. WELS provides this education through a system of four schools: two high-school-level preparatory schools, a college, and a seminary.
Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., is dedicated to equipping men to serve as pastors. Seminary students learn through a combination of classroom studies and real-world experiences to prepare for congregational ministry.
Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn., offers bachelor degrees for early childhood, elementary school, and high school educators; staff ministers; and men training to be pastors. The college also offers a Graduate Studies program.
Luther Preparatory School, Watertown, Wis., and Michigan Lutheran Seminary, Saginaw, Mich., prepare high school students to attend Martin Luther College. The curriculum emphasizes subjects such as foreign languages, theology, and music to begin training students for ministry.
