CSLNEWS Latest: SEMINARY STUDENTS ANTICIPATE CALL DAY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2011

ST. LOUIS—Concordia Seminary’s fourth-year and second-year students will receive their calls and vicarage assignments, respectively, into the ministry at this year’s Call Day services on Wednesday, May 4. The vicarage assignment service will take place at 3:00 p.m. CDT and the call service will take place at 7:00 p.m. CDT.

“I truly do believe that God is behind this process,” said Benjamin Vogel, pastoral candidate. “My wife and I are looking forward to going wherever the church decides to send us!”

Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) congregations seeking pastors sent more requests this year for the Seminary’s graduates than the number available, “indicating the appreciation the church has for Concordia Seminary graduates,” commented Dr. Robert Hoehner, director of placement and alumni relations at the Seminary. “Join us in thanking God for His goodness and pray for Concordia Seminary as it carries out its important mission of helping to form workers in God’s Kingdom.”

For the second year, Concordia Seminary has created a special Call Day website which has many features that family members, friends, and parishioners all over the world can enjoy. On the site, http://callday.csl.edu/, viewers can watch live streaming video of both the vicarage and call services, read and print the service folders to follow along, and view maps that will pinpoint where each student is called or assigned through the use of interactive mapping technologies. Each pinpoint will include the student’s photo and the church’s information. (The map will not be available until after the services.)

This year, all of the 93 eligible Concordia Seminary pastoral ministry students will receive calls. One student will complete her studies for the deaconess ministry and receive her placement. Eight graduates from the Center for Hispanic Studies (three pastoral candidates and five deaconess candidates) one DELTO student, and six Cross-Cultural Ministry Center students (out of Concordia University Irvine) will receive placements. Additionally, 76 second-year Seminary students will learn of their vicarage assignments.

“I really value the Seminary experience and the brilliance of the instruction that I received here,” commented pastoral candidate Ronald Millard Jr. “I was inspired to view this process as a strengthening of my relationship with God and to view our learning as an adventure that leads to peace that truly is found only in Jesus Christ.”

“Our men and women in our various programs have demonstrated their academic abilities, their commitment to Jesus Christ, and their love for people,” said Dr. Dale A. Meyer, president of Concordia Seminary. “They will serve very well, just as previous graduates have.”

For more information, contact creative services at communications@csl.edu or 314-505-7379.

————————————————————
To view or search the list archives, join or leave the list,or change your subscription options, see the web page athttp://LISTSERV.CUIS.EDU/cgi-bin/wa?A0=CSLNEWS
To unsubscribe via email, send a message toLISTSERV@LISTSERV.CUIS.EDU with the words “UNSUB CSLNEWS”as the body of the message.

Holy Week Reflections

Every once in a while there are days or weeks were it is quite noticeable to us to that their is a change in our lives. We all go through changes in our day to day lives. However, what I am speaking of right now is that sequence of moments that literally changes us. This Holy Week has thus far been one of those weeks for me.

Palm Sunday marked the first time in a long time, I was able to sit back and watch the people closest in my life serve God in their own unique ways. It is not that they don’t do it at other times. It just so happens I am right serving him leading the way. Very rarely do I get to sit back and observe my family serve their Lord with the gifts they have been blessed. Linda for first time since we moved to Saint Louis, MO sang with Faith Worship Team for three services. Linda is a vocalist on campus for one of the chapel worship teams. However, this is a little different in my eyes. When we moved for this next step in our lives, Linda literally took a step back from singing in church. Some of it had to do with schedules, life adjustments, and quite possibly culture shock. Needless to say, my heart jumped for joy watching her using her God given gift of music again.

On top of Linda singing, for the 9:15 a.m. service Hannah, Jonathan, Hailey, and Jocelyn ALL participated and sang as part of Faith’s Kidnection which included children in the grades ranging from preschool to sixth grade. For those of you who have multiple children, this may hit home a bit more for you. You will understand the struggles of getting multiple children to stand still and smiling for pictures. Many times it can be harder for young children to stand up, even amongst their peers, in front of a congregation to sing. i am here to report that no one cried, whined, or had an down right meltdown. All stood up there dressed in their Sunday best. They opened their mouths and sang to God. As I stood in the back, I fought back the tears like any proud father, it occurred to me to take a picture of all the children. Little moments like this help to wipe away all the doubts of effective parenting. With Linda up front, it meant for once I was all by myself in the midst of the church with the children. Another one of those things that has not happen since before we moved here.

Holy Monday brought a wonderful chapel service, but it was the Tenebrae service in the chapel that left a lasting effect. Four seminarians and Dean Burresson read the Gospel lesson, Matthew 26:1-27:66. For some reason the way each part was broken up conveyed a new understanding of the text. It is a different realization of just reading the text or hearing someone else read it from the lectern. The betrayal, disappointment, denial, suffering, and death all meant so much more. I found myself re-reading this text a few more times after returning home. It is no secret, that I enjoy hearing my fellow seminarians preach. On Monday, 4th year seminarian delivered a very soul convicting and thought provoking sermon. I have been in a couple of classes with Sam throughout the year. He is one of those guys where you always know where you stand in his eyes. His sermon was much of the same approach. His sermon cut straight to the core of the matter.

Holy Wednesday (today) yield a chapel service patterned after the chief service for Good Friday. Dr. Bode preached, but I think the earlier readings, kneeling, and prayers took my mine elsewhere. Mine has lingered on the Good Friday sermon I have been preparing for a few weeks now. Something cleared up my mind locking in the missing part of the sermon for me. Not to worry, my mind was not on something else for long. I managed to link back into his message. I will just say there has been more reflection than in years past throughout Lent. Maybe it is the upcoming Call Day, baby births, weddings, or graduations that has caused the reflection. I know all the instruction I have received thus far, the praying, and the studying have and will continue to have a lasting effect… Yes, I know that is what “formation” is all about… Knowing it and realizing it is happening to you when it is happening to you are two different things.

I know all to well that God continues to take care of my family and I in every way. I have watched personally how he works in the lives of friends and family, both here at seminary and back home. I read scriptures, only to be left in awe in chesed/hesed (steadfast love) God has for us. What is next? The rest of Holy Week. Pray for me as I deliver my first Good Friday message. I am pretty excited to see how God will use me on Friday. I wonder how I will be formed next? Who am I fooling? I am pretty excited to see what He has prepared for me next!

How can I end this post without a countdown to Call Day and Vicarage Service: 13 Days, 18 Hours, 29 minutes, 30 seconds

Logos Seminary Scholarship Time

Logos Bible Software is now accepting applications for its quarterly seminary scholarship. On August 10, 2010, we will award one applicant a $1,000.00 tuition scholarship and a copy of Scholar’s Library.

To apply, simply click the “apply now” button below. You will be asked to watch a brief video demonstrating Logos Bible Software and then directed to the application page. The entire application process will take less than 15 minutes.

http://www.seminaryscholarship.com/

—–More from Logos—-

Also, I wanted to remind you that our program is much different from other scholarships. With most scholarships, you typically don’t want to tell your friends about it because the more applicants there are, the less chance you have of winning. With our Seminary Scholarship, the exact opposite is true. The more of your friends that apply, the greater chance you have of being awarded the scholarship!

If you refer someone to our scholarship and they indicate that you referred them, and they win the scholarship, then we’ll give you a scholarship too! You could both get a $1,000.00 tuition scholarship and a copy of the Logos Scholar’s Library (www.logos.com/scholars).

There are lots of ways for you to get the word out. You could post a link to http://www.SeminaryScholarship.com on Facebook, Twitter, or your blog. You could even send your friends an email or give them a call. The most important thing is that you remind them to put your name in the “other” section of the “How’d you hear about the scholarship?” That way we can make sure you get a scholarship too, if they win.

So what are you waiting for? I’m sure it would feel great if you won the scholarship. But wouldn’t it feel better if you helped someone else win it too?

May God bless you in your seminary pursuits,

Adam Navarrete | Scholarship Manager

Logos Bible Software

1313 Commercial Street, Bellingham WA 98225

Also, I wanted to remind you that our program is much different from other scholarships. With most scholarships, you typically don’t want to tell your friends about it because the more applicants there are, the less chance you have of winning. With our Seminary Scholarship, the exact opposite is true. The more of your friends that apply, the greater chance you have of being awarded the scholarship!
If you refer someone to our scholarship and they indicate that you referred them, and they win the scholarship, then we’ll give you a scholarship too! You could both get a $1,000.00 tuition scholarship and a copy of the Logos Scholar’s Library (www.logos.com/scholars).
There are lots of ways for you to get the word out. You could post a link to http://www.SeminaryScholarship.com on Facebook, Twitter, or your blog. You could even send your friends an email or give them a call. The most important thing is that you remind them to put your name in the “other” section of the “How’d you hear about the scholarship?” That way we can make sure you get a scholarship too, if they win.
So what are you waiting for? I’m sure it would feel great if you won the scholarship. But wouldn’t it feel better if you helped someone else win it too?
May God bless you in your seminary pursuits,

Adam Navarrete | Scholarship ManagerLogos Bible Software1313 Commercial Street, Bellingham WA 98225

Resolution 4-17 To Address Student Indebtedness from LCMS Convention2010

http://www.lcms.org/includes/convention/resolutions/todbiz.pdf#437

Page 124

Resolution 4-17: To Address Student Indebtedness

Overtures 4-05 (CW, p.180)

WHEREAS, THE LCMS colleges, universities, and seminaries have taken significant and responsible steps to reduce operating costs to maintain fiscal viability; and

WHEREAS, 74 percent (the average between the two seminaries) of the pastoral ministry students who graduated from the LCMS seminaries in May 2009 and 75 percent of the Concordia University System students who graduated in May 2009, did so with educational debt; and

WHEREAS, Carrying large amounts of educational debt while receiving a modest salary results in stress for the church worker, which negatively impacts his/her family, health, and service; therefor be it

RESOLVED, That individuals, groups, and congregations in the LCMS  be encouraged to increase their support for our Synod’s colleges, universities, and seminaries with prayers, referrals of prospective students, and financial gifts; and be it further

RESOLVED, The Concordia University System schools and the seminaries require all students enrolled in church work programs to receive instruction in biblical stewardship designed to increase their ability to manage their personal finances wisely.

———————————

What does this mean for future and current seminarians? Easy answer is that you are now required to attend that optional stewardship class both seminaries offered last year. Same goes for anyone enrolled in the Concordia University System. This isn’t a bad thing, but it is not realistic. The resolution already mentioned the numbers of coming out of the CUS and couple that with enrolling into seminary your debt only grows. So, for current seminarians you will be subjected to learn how to manage money that 1. you don’t have and 2. you won’t have any time soon… unless you play the lotto. Now, if this program is geared to seminarians where they are at NOW, this could be helpful. Minus loop holes, I see students from all of the above raising issue with this mandate. However, it isn’t up for discussion it is now mandatory.

As I continue looking through resolutions and how they were voted on… I hope to see one that mentions increased support for church workers attending the above mentioned institutions. Correction: I hope to see some sort of follow through with this and one of those groups needs to be the LCMS. Take the lead and others will follow from the example from above. This a subtle hint to Synod: The idea and its application are wonderful. Will it fix the overall problem? No

I recall hearing someone has some ideas on how to improve this situation. I’ve heard “Its Time”.

Upcoming Blog Posts

Thoughts on the future of the LCMS

Projects planning the back of my mind

Head of the household: getting back to teaching Catechism at home first.

Experiences from Seminary

Lessons Learned

Why is there such a decline of African Americans as church workers? How do we go about fixing the issue?