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What is Staff Ministry?
Even though the staff ministry program has been part of WELS for over 15 years, many are unfamiliar with it. Staff ministry gives those who do not wish to be pastors or teachers an opportunity to pursue full-time ministry in an area where their gifts can be best used to further God’s kingdom. While pastors are trained for the broadest scope of ministry and for theological leadership, and teachers are trained in Christian classroom education, staff ministers receive basic theological training and practical skills to equip them to serve in other specific areas of parish and institutional ministry.
Those who wish to become staff ministers attend Martin Luther College, the WELS worker training institution in New Ulm, MN. There they complete significant religious training, similar to that of our teachers, as well as studies in youth and family ministry, evangelism and assimilation, congregational administration, Christian counseling, visitation, leadership, music and worship, Bible study and teaching basics, and other practical skills. Martin Luther College has programs of study for those who wish to pursue a degree as well as those who already have a college degree and wish to become certified as a staff minister.
The specific responsibilities of a staff minister are defined by their call but frequently they assist with evangelism programs, youth and family ministry, member care, music ministries and/or congregational administration. Staff ministers have also been called to work in non-parish organizations such as pregnancy counseling centers, institutional ministry, synod and school administration and The Lutheran Home. There are no gender based differences in training; however, distinctions based on God’s Word are followed by the calling body as they establish the responsibilities of the specific call.
There are about 75 active staff ministers across the WELS. About a third of these are second career individuals who bring significant business and professional experience to the ministry.
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