Call into the public ministry

Here is the photo of my graduating class from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 1996. How young I looked back then. Now I'm just trying to keep from falling apart. You can also go here for a close-up. Seminary 1996 Graduating Class

Yesterday I took two Wisconsin Lutheran School 6th grade young men with me to Call Day at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. Jack Petrick and Chris Jones were excited to go. Partly because they got out of school for most of the day and partly because they are interested in being pastors some day.

Jack and Chris were impressed with a Seminary that is devoted to only preaching the salvation through Jesus Christ that comes through the clear, strong, true message of God’s Word. How could they not be impressed as we joined with about 500 Christian men and women as we sang “Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest” – a hymn that has been sung at the ordaining and commissioning of pastors for over 800 years.

I explained to Jack and Chris that though they are very different people, God can use them to carry out His message into the ripe mission fields of our world. They both commented that they really liked the idea of leading people to heaven.

There are a lot of struggles, headaches, heartaches, and rough days in the public ministry, but there is no more satisfying or joyful job in the world than being a Lutheran pastor. It is using a splash of water connected with God’s Word to wash sins away. It is giving simple bread and wine that is carrying Christ’s body and blood to souls who are weak and perishing. It is preaching and teaching God’s Word and then getting out of the way.

Here is what God has to say about His public ministry:

Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.

John 21:15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

Ephesians 3:8 Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

1 Timothy 3:2 Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

1 Timothy 3:5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?)

1 Timothy 4:13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.

Acts 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

1 Thessalonians 5:12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.

1 Peter 5:2 Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers-- not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve;

Ephesians 4:11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

Please pray for, support and encourage your pastor, teachers and missionaries who are already serving in the public ministry. But also pray for, support and encourage any young people like Jack and Chris who may be interested in serving the Lord in the public ministry. The fields are ripe but the workers are few.

Pray that we may see Jack and Chris’ graduating photos on the wall of the Seminary in 2024!