This is the last in a series on trends in the world of Lutheran theological education.

There is an increasing tendency to utilize non-seminary formed deacons in some congregations of the church.  These deacons are formed for service in programs of preparation operated by the districts of the church.  Now there are approximately 540 active deacons in the LCMS, approximately half of whom are conducting Word and Sacrament ministry. 

[For further discussion of and insight into the four TRENDS, gleaned from a report written by him for a recent survey, you may wish to contact the Executive Director of the LCMS Board for Pastoral Education at http://www.lcms.org/pages/default.asp?NavID=11580 ]

How may I mentor someone toward preparation for church work?

Step 1 – Build a relationship

          Spend time together.  Build trust.  Just talk about life.  Enjoy  breakfast and/or lunches together.  Don’t rush this step.  Get to know each other.  Relax.  Play.  Get together with some regularity.

Step 2 – Make some agreements

          Agree to spend a whole day together at your work.  Show them exactly how you prepare for a confirmation class or Bible class.  Take them on a visit to the nursing home.  Have them sit in a meeting with you (e.g., choir practice, council meeting, local association).  Find out their interests—music, helping people, reading.  Encourage them to participate, e.g. sit with you during worship; if a pastor, sit by you as you lead worship; acolyte; crucifier; observe a baptism or holy communion from your perspective.

Step 3 – Develop your partner (s)

           This is the longest step.  Set some definite things to accomplish in the next three months or six months.  Help them toward fulfilling their life interests and goals.  Select development activities for them.  Maintain regular contact.

Step 4 – Review your relationship

          There comes a time when you evaluate together what you both have learned, celebrate some accomplishments, and plan for the future.  Help your partner toward preparation for a church work career if it seems appropriate—visit a school, seek other persons in the same area of interest and/or desire, make contacts and guide them.  Keep in touch, but perhaps not as regularly.

In the LCMS there is an increasing number of “non-calling vacancies,” congregations that cannot afford a full-time, seminary-graduate pastor.

What are the greatest challenges you face as a church worker?  Church workers responded in a recent survey with this prioritized list:

• Emotional Drain
• Long Hours
• Strain on Family
• Low Compensation/Pay and Benefits
• Antagonistic Flock
• District/Synod Leadership – Lack of Ecclesiastical Support
• Educational Debt

The first four concerns definitely had the larger percentage of church workers giving them as challenges they face today.  My call is for all of us to be as supportive as possible for one another as we face challenges in our life of service to the Lord and His church.

Over the past decade there is increased concern about overall education indebtedness.  Costs for higher education have risen dramatically and incomes have not kept pace.  Some graduates are entering service with total education indebtedness that is nearly triple their first year salaries.

Over the past decade there is increased use of distance education.  In our church body, one could especially note the advent of the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) program in 2007.  Approximately 1/3 of the new students at our seminaries in the past two years have been distance education students.

AP reported last month that Americans’ job satisfaction fell to a record low.  “We can’t get no job satisfaction.”  A new survey found only 45% of Americans are satisfied with their work.  Worker dissatisfaction, it was reported, “has been on the rise for more than two decades.”  Wow!  What is the satisfaction level for church workers?  Last fall What a Way surveyed church workers asking “How satisfying is your church career?”  The result was incredible!  93% satisfaction rating!  70% of the respondents said very satisfying, and 23% said somewhat satisfying.   Perhaps we could encourage more people to consider a church career.  Why not think of becoming a joyful worker?

I just learned of the report from “The DCE Career Path Project Team,” and I think that this team and its project may have wonderful implications for our work in What a Way.  It will certainly be of interest to our church workers and to congregational leadership.

Rather than rehearse the details of the project and its findings, I direct you to this Web site: http://dcecareerpath.wordpress.com/

Phase II of the project will begin in 2010 and will focus on individuals who have been congregational DCEs for 13 years or more.

I learned from Terry Dittmer, LCMS Director of Youth Ministry, that in 1980, for the first national youth gathering, our pool of eligible youth was about 220,000 15-19 year olds.  Thirty years later we are looking at a pool of about 100,000 14-19 year olds, fewer than half of what we had in 1980.   We are an aging church.  By the grace of God, members are living longer.  But will our church always include teens?  What is reality?  We need to make youth ministry a priority, and we need to find ways to bring un-churched and marginally churched young people into our churches.  We need children and youth NOW; our children and youth need to be a church priority.  They are the future pastors, teachers, and other leaders for our church.