New students headed for church work

With the new academic year under way, Lutheran Church–Canada’s seminaries and university college continue their mission of preparing those who will serve God’s people as pastors and deacons.

The older of the two seminaries, Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Catharines, Ontario, sent four vicars to congregations to serve their one-year internship in May, but welcomed four new students in its Master of Divinity program. Two are beginning their first year of study and two are in a colloquy program. Currently, 23 students are studying at the seminary. This year marks the seminary’s 35th year preparing men for the pastoral ministry.

Dr. Manfred Zeuch, president of Concordia Lutheran Seminary, Edmonton welcomes the congregation attending the seminary’s opening service, Saturday, September 11, at All Saints Lutheran Church in Edmonton.

Meanwhile, some 2700 km west in Edmonton, Alberta, Concordia Lutheran Seminary, now in its 27th academic year, welcomed six students into its first-year class after sending four students to the field to serve their vicarage year. The total campus population is 26, including six men in pastoral colloquy programs. (Colloquy is the process by which pastors coming from church bodies with which LCC is not in fellowship prepare to serve in Lutheran Church–Canada.)

Across the street at Concordia University College of Alberta, Dr. Paul Schoepp, director of Church Work Programs, reports that about a dozen students have expressed interest in the Director of Parish Services program, Lutheran teacher education program or in pre-ministerial courses with an eye to attending the seminary. The actual count takes place later this month. The DPS program is celebrating its 20th year.

“We give thanks to our Lord who keeps providing men and women who have a desire to serve His people in church work vocations,” said LCC president, Rev. Robert Bugbee. “I want to encourage all our people to be on the lookout for young people whom you believe could be pastors or deacons and let them know about it!”

More than half the pastors serving in Lutheran Church–Canada congregations are graduates of a Canadian seminary and currently 90 deacons are certified to serve LCC parishes and schools.

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