In Wisconsin, May is when we enjoy the flowers of blooming spring. In Mequon, May is when we celebrate something lovelier still: the Lord’s giving new gifts to his Church. On May 22, 40 men were assigned as vicars to congregations in the United States and throughout the world.
Between their second and third year of academic training, seminary students spend a full year of in-service training under the supervision of a pastor. This is called the vicar year. The practical training they receive during this time is a key component of their education. The majority of our vicars serve in parishes which, out of a strong commitment to pastoral training, are willing to support this vital year in a future pastor’s preparation. This year 13 “vicars in mission” were also assigned. These particular vicar assignments are funded by the Board for Home Missions and are intended to match the vicar up with a pastor known for his mentoring abilities and serving in a congregation with a strong commitment to outreach. Two other vicars were sent to serve on world mission fields--Torreon, Mexico and Hong Kong, PRC.
On May 24, 42 pastoral candidates received their first calls. Six, the largest number since the PSI was founded, were graduates of the seminary’s Pastoral Studies Institute. The Pastoral Studies Institute works in harmony with seminary training being carried out in North America. This year WLS graduated one man from Cristo Palabra De Vida (providing training for Spanish-speakers in the United States) and five men from the Asian satellite seminary training program. Men were assigned to 12 different states as well as to Antigua, Canada, and Thailand. Eleven pastors who had received initial assignments on previous call days either were reassigned to a new field of labor or had their assignments extended for another year. All pastoral candidates who had presented themselves for assignment have now received calls.
How does the process work? Congregations bring their requests to the assignment committee (composed, among others, of the Conference of Presidents), to which the synod has given the responsibility for assigning men into the pastoral ministry. The seminary faculty trains and certifies the men as candidates, presenting them to the assignment committee. Representatives of the faculty also serve by advising the committee regarding the candidates. As the committee meets, a person can sense a deep reverence in the room for what the Lord is doing for his church. Prayerfully the district presidents consider the needs of the congregations. Carefully and lovingly they assess the gifts of each candidate. One by one the candidates are matched to calls until, God willing, each one has been assigned.
Pres. Paul O. Wendland
