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The Harvest Field

A CTSFW alumnus (Rev. Jacob Hercamp, 2017), wrote the following article on the “What Does This Mean?” blog that is run by one of our CTSFW librarians, Rev. Bob Smith. It’s a timely article on the harvest field and those laborers called to it; from the post:

“Likewise the seminaries of Ft. Wayne and St. Louis have been cultivating not the ground but men to serve as pastors. They have worked hard to send these men into the the Lord’s fields to plant the seed of our Lord’s Gospel. Soon they will be planted in their first calls working in the Lord’s fields of their respective congregations. What a joyful time!”

You can read more at https://whatdoesthismean.blog/2019/04/30/the-harvest-is-plentiful.

Call services at CTSFW concluded last night (though you can still watch at callday.ctsfw.edu) and CSL’s Assignment of Vicarages and Internships Service will begin in an hour (3 p.m. CDT/4 p.m. EDT) and their Assignment of Calls Service will follow at 7 p.m. CDT/8 p.m. EDT. You can watch both at their own Call Day website at callday.csl.edu.

And finally, as a point of interest to those who saw the post about the dart-toss, here’s the conclusion:

Mark Matheny won the vicarage/deaconess intern toss with 128 miles between Bellefontaine, Ohio (toss) to Belleville, Michigan (actual vicarage). Ian Kinney placed last with 4,240 miles between Honolulu, Hawaii (toss) and Basehor, Kansas (actual vicarage).

Matthias Wollberg won the candidate dart toss with 75 miles between Riceville, Iowa (call) and Wabasha, Minnesota (dart toss). Michael Terkula placed last with 3,995 miles between Huntertown, Indiana and Hanalai, Hawaii.

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Call and Assignment Services: More Quotes

Here’s a behind-the-scenes insight into the news release that went out this morning: as social media manager for the CTSFW Facebook page, I took a lot of notes during both services to gather quotes. However, to keep the release at a manageable length, I ended up only quoting President Rast—but the rest are too good not to share. God has clearly and richly blessed our Synod with faithful pastors and leadership.

VICARAGE AND DEACONESS INTERNSHIP ASSIGNMENTS

PREACHER: Rev. Steven Turner, President of the Iowa West District

“You see, as church workers—as deaconesses and pastors—there are times when you will fail. There are times when you will fall. And there are times when you will sin. And when you do, please remember this sermon, because Christ died to take away your sins. When you feel inadequate, when the words you say are misunderstood, when people react in unkind ways toward you, remember Christ has died. And this means the sacrifice was complete to cover all sins and that means it covers your sins and mine. That Christ was buried, that he was truly dead, and so are you. Because you died in the water of holy baptism. You were drowned and the new man has come alive. That old sinful person has been put to death, and the new person comes forth…”

“He’s alive today and he’s called us to be his servants and to live our lives every day in his grace and his mercy. Now I have no expectations that you will remember me tonight or even remember this sermon that was preached when you received your deaconess internship or your vicarage. But I am positive that you will remember the content of this sermon. Why? Because you’ll speak the content of this sermon every time you gather together in worship; every time you confess the creeds of the Church, because Jesus He died for your sins. And He was truly dead and buried. And He has been raised and He is really alive, which is why at Easter we can say, ‘Christ is risen!'”

Congregation: “He is risen indeed! Alleluia!”

DISTRIBUTION OF VICARAGE ASSIGNMENTS: Dr. Gary Zieroth, Director of Vicarage

107 of 122 applications–“15 congregations were available to receive a vicar but this year did not. And so we pray that the Lord of the harvest will send workers into his harvest field, as those needs within our Synod are met, not only for vicarage but also for calls as well.”

Note: Holy Cross in Moline, IL received their fiftieth vicar: Paul Marks.

At the conclusion: “And so there is no reneging or trading. What is said is done and what is done is said and so the Lord’s continued blessings as you go forth and serve the Lord.”

DISTRIBUTION OF DEACONESS INTERNSHIPS: Dr. James Bushur, Director of Deaconess Studies

“It is, of course, my privilege as Director of Deaconess Formation to announce internship assignments for our deaconess students. In my eight years serving as director of the program, I have learned at least one thing about my job: that is, the secret is finding good people to do your work for you. I have certainly been richly blessed in that regard…I want to certainly express my great appreciation to those who have made my burden a little bit lighter, my yoke a bit easier.”

“I certainly am deeply appreciative of Deaconess Rast’s persistence in bringing these internships to fruition. And finally I want to express my deep gratitude to the congregations, the pastors, and supervisors who are now receiving our interns and collaborating with us in the formation of our students. We certainly give thanks to God for their partnership with us in the Gospel, and pray that the Lord blesses their work.”

GREETINGS: Dr. Lawrence Rast, President of CTSFW

“It is truly an honor and a privilege to share this particular point in preparation for these future pastors and deaconesses as they prepare for their vicarages and internships. The vicars-elect and deaconess interns-elect now, we look forward to continuing to partner with you in your formation. It is just a delight to be a part of your lives.”

“As a historian my job is remembering, so that resonated well.”

“I continue to be amazed at the grace of God and the mercy that He demonstrates in concrete ways through our Lord Jesus Christ in continuing to raise up pastoral leaders and deaconess leaders for the congregations in mission of our Church…here’s the next generation. God is faithful and He keeps His promises.”

CALLS INTO THE HOLY MINISTRY

PREACHER: Rev. Terry Forke, President of the Montana District

“For all the fine education that you received in this place, these wonderful men could not make you shepherds; Jesus does that. Jesus does it. It is His work in you. Even now He is at work to prepare you to be the shepherd for the flock to whom you are sent. He will feed you. He will carry you. He will tend to all your needs. And He will speak through you. By the gift of His Holy Spirit your lips will be enabled to speak the holy Word of God in such a way that you never imagined it could be done by you. Of that you can be assured. The Shepherd heralds the Good News through you.”

DISTRIBUTION OF CALLS: Dr. Jeffrey Pulse, Director of Certification and Placement

“Greetings in the name of our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. First I’d like to thank President Forke for his words of encouragement and wisdom for these men prepared to go out into the harvest field to a place where there are many sheep without shepherds.”

“We see the One who is guiding the whole process. The Lord remains in control. And as we look out upon the whole Church we give Him thanks that we are part of this great and wonderful thing called the work of the Kingdom.”

“147 applicants made for candidates, which means there are currently 22 applications unused at this time. We do still have need in our Church for more men to enroll in our seminaries, prepare to be shepherds. Please keep this challenge in your prayers, as well as those congregations not receiving a candidate at this time.”

CHARGE TO THE CANDIDATES (President Rast)

“Go then, take heed unto thyself and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made thee an overseer, to feed the Church of God which He hath purchased with His own blood.”

President Rast (own words): “The Easter season is one of great celebration and joy and no day is more joyful for us as a community than call night as we prepare to send these marvelous servants of Christ out into His harvest field.”

GREETINGS: Rev. David Maier, President of the Michigan District and Chairman of the Council of Presidents

Ephesians 2:8-10: “Talks about grace and salvation; it says, ‘for we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.’ God saw this night. God saw you. God has brought you to this point. He has never left you or forsaken you, and He is not about to do that even now. And as we live in this Easter season, brothers, you are going to be able to take a particular message out to your people that is one of hope.”

GREETINGS: Rev. Matthew Harrison, President of the LCMS

“Let’s pray: we need pastors. And church workers. We’re so proud of all of you and so thankful for you. You are the answer to our prayers. You are the answer to a thousand prayers tonight. You. And the Lord has gone before you. He is already there. He knew full well you’d be coming there from eternity. He’s already got the folks lined up to hear your blessed words. He’s got them lined up for you to meet, to visit, to love, to share the Gospel with. To proclaim Jesus’ blessed resurrection. The Lord be with you.”

FINAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: President Rast

“But He does promise to be with you always; never to leave you or forsake you. And for that be thankful, as we are thankful for you and your commitment which you have shown over these years, now preparing to go forth. It is an honor to be your colleague.”

“It is a great thing to be a part of a community like this. There are few places like this in the world. I would say perhaps two: one in Fort Wayne and one in St. Louis. But what a blessing the seminaries of our church are as they commit themselves to their mission of preparing pastors and deaconesses, lay leaders and missionaries, for our Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, and its partner churches and missions throughout the world. The work that is done touches the entire globe. And though we recognize that we need more pastors, we know at the same time, God the Holy Spirit is currently calling, gathering, enlightening, and sanctifying future workers for his harvest field and we look forward to welcoming them to the campuses of our church.”

Finally, one of the best things about having such a late Easter this year? Almost every single pastor that had the opportunity to speak in the services declared that beloved refrain: “Christ is risen!”

“He is risen indeed!” the congregation answered every time. “Alleluia!”

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Assignment and Call Services Wrap-Up

Here’s the wrap-up from Call Night as well as from Vicarage and Deaconess Internship Assignment Service the night before. We go over some numbers, thank God for His rich gifts, and remember our brothers and sisters in St. Louis, whose services take place today (Assignment at 3 p.m. and Calls at 7 p.m.–in Central Time, so 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. if you’re in our eastern time zone). You can watch their services at callday.csl.edu.

As to the livestream, our videographer gathered some interesting facts:

We had viewers from 45 states (none in Alaska, Hawaii, Vermont, Delaware, or West Virginia, though we did have some views from Washington DC) and 11 countries: America, Canada, Scotland, South Korea, Germany, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Australia, France, Belize, and Puerto Rico. Our videographer was sorry to report that we had no viewers in Antarctica. However, he expects these stats to change (though probably not the Antarctica one) over the next week as more people take the time to check out the services and find out where our candidates have been called and where our new vicars and deaconess interns will be sent. You can also check out our interactive map, showing where all these men and women are headed, at callday.ctsfw.edu/map.

Candidates read their bulletins and silence their cell phones as they line up in anticipation of entering Kramer Chapel to receive their calls.

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (CTSFW)—“Go then, take heed unto thyself and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made thee an overseer, to feed the Church of God which He hath purchased with His own blood.”

So begins the charge to the pastoral candidates, read by the Rev. Dr. Lawrence R. Rast Jr., President of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW), after these men received their Divine Calls to the Office of the Holy Ministry. The Candidate Call Service on April 30 concluded two days of services at CTSFW, following the Vicarage and Deaconess Internship Assignment Service the night before on April 29; students at the assignment service learned where they will serve in the field for the next year of their formation as future pastors and deaconesses. To see where each candidate, vicar-elect, and deaconess intern-elect have been sent, or to re-watch either of the services, go to callday.ctsfw.edu.

“[God] does promise to be with you always, never to leave you or forsake you,” President Rast concluded, following the charge—just one of many words of promise and encouragement to the candidates that evening. “And for that be thankful, as we are thankful for you and your commitment, which you have shown over these years, now preparing to go forth. It is an honor to be your colleague.”

CTSFW announced assignments for 41 vicar-elects and five deaconess intern-elects, followed by calls for 39 students in the Master of Divinity (MDiv) and Alternate Route (A.R.) programs. Later today, May 1, our sister seminary, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, will announce 66 vicarage assignments and calls for 41 MDiv and A.R. students. Along with those students who completed their training through SMP and Colloquy-SMP, 126 calls will be answered in all.

As has been the case for a number of years, more churches asked for men than received them: 15 congregations did not receive a vicar and 22 will not receive a candidate. As we pray to the Lord of the harvest for more workers, in particular we ask that you keep those congregations who did not receive a candidate in your prayers. If you or anyone you know would like to learn more about the pastoral and diaconal programs at CTSFW, go to www.ctsfw.edu/Admission.

Yet we remain hopeful, standing firmly on Christ our cornerstone. “Though we recognize that we need more pastors,” President Rast said, “we know at the same time God the Holy Spirit is currently calling, gathering, enlightening, and sanctifying future workers for his harvest field, and we look forward to welcoming them to the campuses of our church.”

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2019 Candidate Call Service

Today our prayers are with our candidates, who will find out in three hours (or closer to four, as calls will be announced after the sermon in the 7 p.m. service) where they will serve their first calls as laborers to the harvest. Christ be with these men and their families as their futures begin to take on any even clearer shape, and God’s blessings to the congregations who will in turn begin earnestly preparing to receive them. Thanks be to the Lord of the harvest for all the gifts He so richly pours down on us!

The service will be livestreamed on the CTSFW Facebook page and at www.ctsfw.edu/daily-chapel, though you can also watch (and find the service bulletin) at callday.ctsfw.edu. Once the calls are announced, go to this website to see who’s coming to your district, to find printable lists of all vicars, internships, and calls, and to check out our interactive map showing where these men and women are headed.

As a fun aside: every year, the students who are about to receive either a vicarage or deaconess internship assignment or who will be receiving their call compete in a dart challenge. Those receiving assignments throw one day, and those awaiting their calls throw on another–these pictures happen to be from the candidates’ competition.

The rules are simple: whoever throws a dart and hits the town that ends up being closest to their actual call or assignment wins. Mostly, it’s a great chance for these guys (and gals) to make fun of each other’s dart-throwing skills (or lack thereof) and to trade rumors over where they’re headed. According to the pockmarked map, we have a couple of seminarians apparently destined for the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico–and a few right in the middle of the Great Lakes.

To the left, a pack of call candidates look on, ready to pass down amused judgment, as classmate Matthew Schettler winds up for the throw.
Fourth-year seminarian Paul Gaschler, regretting his shot.
The aftermath.
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2019 Vicarage & Deaconess Internship Assignment Service

God’s richest blessings to all of our second-year seminarians and deaconess students! They will be receiving their assignments for vicarage and deaconess internships in three and a half hours, at 7 p.m. You can see all 45 of them here, and you can also head to callday.ctsfw.edu/vicars to learn a little bit more about who they are, like their hometowns and home churches. Their placement locations will be updated after they’re announced at the service this evening. You will be able to watch the service there, on Facebook at facebook.com/ctsfw, or even at www.ctsfw.edu/daily-chapel if that’s your usual hangout.

After Candidate Call Service tomorrow, the Call Day website will also be updated with a map showing where everyone is going, and will break down calls and placements per district, if you want to find out who’s coming to your area. Our prayers go out to all of our students tonight and tomorrow–as well as to all the congregations who will be welcoming them into their homes, countrysides, and cities!

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DMin Defense: Rev. Seth Clemmer

On April 9, another of our DMin students, Rev. Seth Clemmer, successfully defended his dissertation, “Improving Youth Retention and Baptismal Administration at Bethany Lutheran Church, Naperville, Illinois, by Emphasizing Parental Responsibilities at Baptism.” As you can see, the DMin dissertations are very practically focuses–you can tell they’re researched and written by working pastors. Rev. Clemmer is senior pastor of Bethany Lutheran.

L-R: Dr. Grobien, Rev. Clemmer, Prof. Pless, and Dr. Zieroth
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CTSFW Baseball Team

Last Saturday, the CTSFW baseball team (organized just this year by first-year seminarian Aaron Schultz) played six innings against Concordia High. In Aaron’s words (speaking of his fellow seminarians and teammates): “With Joe Muench and John Baseley hitting the ball 300+ feet, Mark Peters’ golden glove at the hot corner, Titus Utecht’s hard-breaking curveball, and the prowess of Dr. Grobien in the outfield, our sem team is formidable.”

We held our own for the first couple of innings, tying for the first three innings until Concordia pulled away and ended up winning 6-3. The wives cheered their husbands on and the kids found a dirt pile, which took their attention for awhile; it was altogether an excellent time.

On the left, Seminarian Dan Golden swings; on the right, Seminarian Keith Kettner slides into second as Concordia High goes for the catch; photos courtesy Kati Q. Gaschler.
Photos courtesy Kati Q. Gaschler. You can just see Aaron Schultz (organizer of the team) standing in the back left in the picture on the left, catcher gear on his legs. The team was celebrating their first run.
The infamous dirt pile, with the game going on in the background.
If you’ve ever wondered what CTSFW community events look like, here’s a great example. Family is integral to the community.
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DMin Conferral: Rev. Tariku Tolessa Jira

Dr. Grobien, Director of the DMin program, places the hood on Rev. Jira. Dr. MacKenzie (far left) and Dr. Gieschen (far right) look on.

Following chapel this morning, we witnessed the conferral of the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree upon the Rev. Tariku Tolessa Jira of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY), which you can still watch on today’s livestream. He successfully defended his dissertation project, “The Place and Purpose of Spiritual Gifts in the Scripture: the Understanding of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church—Mekane Yesu—Illubabor Bethel Synod Congregations in Mettu and Alge Towns,” just last week. “Today is an important occasion in the life of our Seminary, in the life of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, and especially in the life of our dear brother in Christ,” said Dr. Grobien, Director of the DMin Program.

Rev. Jira’s colleague and Director of EECMY-Department of Mission & Theology, Dr. Lalissa D. Gemechis (who received his PhD from CTSFW in 2017), upon this news emailed his congratulations: “I am so excited and thankful to God for His provision. Just to let you know that Rev. Dr. Tariku Jira will be head of denominational Theological Matters which is a big task. He will right away assume this position upon his return.”

The graduates from these programs have an incredible impact on their home churches, synods, and countries. “The single most frequent and fervent request received by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod from partner and non-partner Lutheran church bodies around the world is to share our theological treasures,” explained Professor Robert Roethemeyer, Co-director of International Studies, who often travels to Ethiopia and gets to know these students. “Through sound, vigorous theological education we have prepared another leader for the EECMY. This is one of the most impactful ways CTSFW strengthens global confessional Lutheranism. We form servants in Jesus Christ to shepherd their own church bodies and to teach in their own seminaries.”

Once more paraphrasing the words of our brother in Christ, Dr. Gemechis: thanks be to God for His provision. And congratulations to Rev. Jira!

Left to right: Dr. Grobien, Dr. Schulz, Dr. MacKenzie, Rev. Jira, Dr. Gieschen, Dr. (President) Rast.
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DMin Defense: Rev. Philip Huebner

Recently, Doctor of Ministry (DMin) candidate Rev. Philip Huebner successfully defended his dissertation “What to Do with Children in Church? A Study on Helping Parents Engage Their Children in Worship.” A campus pastor at Wisconsin Lutheran High School in Milwaukee, Rev. Huebner has both interest and experience in the subject. He briefly summarized his dissertation in this way:

“In the 21st century where families are breaking down and culture is consuming parents and their children, many are struggling with what to do with children in church. Pragmatic Westerners have tried many different solutions: reserved pews for families, children’s bulletins, children’s sermons, children’s church, or even Sunday school offered during the Divine Service. However, many of these attempted solutions are lacking for various reasons.

“Looking to Scripture, we see that God wants all his people to worship him, and that Jesus graciously invites all to come to him who are weary and burdened to find rest. We also see that it was the regular practice of parents living by faith to train their children and bring them to worship. Throughout the history of the Church, God’s people continued the practice of bringing their children to worship and even incorporating them in many ways as lectors, in children’s choirs, and more.

“Luther brought many great insights to the broad topic of families, children, and children in worship. He believed that an essential key was a partnership between the home, the church, and the school. His catechisms, catechetical sermons, hymns written for children, and more served to unify that unique partnership.

“This thesis built off the Scriptural prescriptions and descriptions, as well as historical precedent, to further the thoughts of Luther and others. It is the best practice for parents to bring their children to worship and for children to learn through guided participation alongside their parents. What is more, the church and school have wonderful opportunities to partner with the home to train parents to be better Christian parents and Christians who understand worship. And finally, the church and the school have wonderful opportunities to train children how to understand and participate in worship. With God’s blessing, such endeavors lead to a unified body of Christ gathered together to receive his gifts regularly in the divine service.”

Thank you again to Rev. Huebner for providing the summary of his dissertation. Congratulations on your successful DMin defense! This picture was taken on the day of, and he can be spotted second to the left, standing between Prof. James Tiefel (far left) and advisor Rev. Dr. Richard Stuckwisch (on the right), with Dr. Grime on the farthest right.

To learn more about the Doctor of Ministry Program at CTSFW, go to www.ctsfw.edu/DMin.

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Ministerial Wellbeing

Out of love for our seminarians, deaconess students, graduate students, and their spouses, Grace Place Wellness Ministries held a free weekend retreat in Fort Wayne for those who had never attended one of their two-day wellness and wholeness retreats before. Dr. John Eckrich, founder of Grace Place Lutheran Wellness Ministries led the retreat. Rev. Timothy Puls (Advancement Officer and Director of Alumni and Church Relations) and Dr. Gary Zieroth (Dean of Students) and his wife Joann were in attendance as well.

Rev. Puls is far right in the robe and purple stoll, Dr. Zieroth on the far left with his wife.

The retreat is designed to help cultivate spiritual wellbeing, using the Lutheran Spiritual Wellness Wheel with baptism and our identity as a new creation in Christ in the center. The topics covered the spokes of the wheel: relational wellbeing, emotional wellbeing, physical wellbeing, financial wellbeing, vocational wellbeing, and intellectual wellbeing.

As explained by Rev. Puls: “Not all these areas are necessarily strong for every person or marriage or congregation. However, every Christian’s baptismal identity, specifically how they have been made new and alive in Christ, may positively impact all these areas (the spokes) in the lives of pastors, their marriages, their families, and congregations.”