Continuing education

Since 1863 the seminary has existed to prepare pastors for the world-wide gospel ministry of WELS. In recent years, our purpose has expanded. Today, our stated purpose includes providing opportunities for continuing education (CE) to pastors and other called workers in our fellowship.

We believe this aspect of our service to synod has assumed prominence and urgency in view of the acceptance of the Ad-Hoc Commission’s report with its emphasis on excellence in continuing education. In addition, the recent reconfiguration of the Board for Parish Services may mean an expanded role for our seminary, particularly in the area of CE. We have come to the conclusion that if we want to carry out what the synod is asking of us, simply tweaking what we’re already doing will not be enough.

We need to pursue a systematic program of continuing education that has been restructured, repurposed, and breaks new ground. It will require interviewing pastors to find out what will meet their needs. It will require new staffing and revamped curriculums for our various programs. It calls for a consistent and coordinated effort that will require additional manpower and funding resources.
It is our aim to coordinate on- and off-campus learning opportunities that will include a wider array of on-line courses, an expanded on-line theological archive, and systematic programs for our graduate degree offerings. We plan to offer high-quality and flexible programs that will help foster a synod-wide culture of lifelong learning among our called workers.