LCMS Pastor

[LutheranHawkeye]

I have a questions about pre-seminary education and jobs for any lutheran pastors or soon to be pastors. I am almost positive I'm going to be a pastor and I'm going to be a senior next year. What jobs would be good for my transcripts for seminary? Which seminary in your opinion is better? Also what would be a good undergraduate to get? I'm thinking about music education, history, or communications but I don't know if these are good undergrads to have for a pastor. My sister says that I will NEED a bachelors degree in something religion oriented, but I don't think thats neccessary.

 

[C.F.W. Walther]

I have a questions about pre-seminary education and jobs for any lutheran pastors or soon to be pastors. I am almost positive I'm going to be a pastor and I'm going to be a senior next year. What jobs would be good for my transcripts for seminary? Which seminary in your opinion is better? Also what would be a good undergraduate to get? I'm thinking about music education, history, or communications but I don't know if these are good undergrads to have for a pastor. My sister says that I will NEED a bachelors degree in something religion oriented, but I don't think thats neccessary.

You might want to include Spalatin in that request. He lingers around here but not much since he's at the sem. I think he went to Fort Wayne Ind which, to me, is the best choice for someone to explore the confessional side of the synod.

 

[DaRev]

I have a questions about pre-seminary education and jobs for any lutheran pastors or soon to be pastors. I am almost positive I'm going to be a pastor and I'm going to be a senior next year. What jobs would be good for my transcripts for seminary? Which seminary in your opinion is better? Also what would be a good undergraduate to get? I'm thinking about music education, history, or communications but I don't know if these are good undergrads to have for a pastor. My sister says that I will NEED a bachelors degree in something religion oriented, but I don't think thats neccessary.

Probably the best undergrad would be to go to one of the Concordia Universities and take the pre-sem program. While any major will do for seminary entrance, it never hurts to get a head start on the basics. You will need to pass certain entry level examinations to gain acceptance in the seminary. The pre-sem programs help prepare for those.
I would contact the seminaries' admissions offices to see what they might suggest.

I entered seminary with a BS in Management. The only theological aspect of that was I took an elective in Biblical Literature which helped me pass the OT and NT entrance tests. I also took an elective in Classical Greek, but it was way too elementary to even come close to fulfilling the Greek language requirement, although I did have a bit of a head start on the rest of my fall Greek classmates at sem.

As for which seminary to attend, that's up to you. Some will push one over the other for a variety of reasons, but anymore there is very little difference between the St. Louis sem and the Fort Wayne sem. Both are very confessional and theological in their approach.

I would strongly suggest that you go either to the Christ Academy camp at Fort Wayne (although you're probably too late for that) or the Exploring Pastoral Ministry event in St. Louis. Check out their web sites for info on these. They are specifically designed for high school students who are exploring the pastoral ministry.


God bless,
DaRev

 

[LutheranHawkeye]

St. Louis seminary sounds good just because its closer to home. I live in central Iowa. So there is an undergrad called pre seminary? So no religious studies, or philosophy. I considered music because its a passion for me and also it would be cool to set up a instrumental ensemble or various choirs for church. This would be amazingly fun and I know how much of an emphasis Luther put on music, and I also know how much great music can enhance divine service. About the Concordias...they looked o.k. to me but I would rather go to Iowa University or even Wartburg University(if it wasn't Elca). Another cool possiblity would be to learn German in a year and go to a confessional Lutheran college over in Germany.

 

[LutherNut]

St. Louis seminary sounds good just because its closer to home. I live in central Iowa. So there is an undergrad called pre seminary? So no religious studies, or philosophy. I considered music because its a passion for me and also it would be cool to set up a instrumental ensemble or various choirs for church. This would be amazingly fun and I know how much of an emphasis Luther put on music, and I also know how much great music can enhance divine service. About the Concordias...they looked o.k. to me but I would rather go to Iowa University or even Wartburg University(if it wasn't Elca). Another cool possiblity would be to learn German in a year and go to a confessional Lutheran college over in Germany.

I think the closest Concordia University to you would be either Seward, NE or River Forrest, IL. You could probably major in whatever you wanted, but check with the seminary to see what type of courses they might suggest.


Jay

 

[LutheranHawkeye]

Yea the Illinois one sounds o.k.but I still can't decide whether Iowa University would be better. I'm thinking that when I check out the seminary and see what they think I'll find the college that offers the best program for what they say would be good. If they say music would be great then im off to UNI. Anything else I'd have to check. Btw I can't stand nebraska for some reason. It may not be the longest state, but on my vacation to Colorado it seemed like it. Seriously you have Omaha and then nothing for like 10 HOURS. So anyway.....

 

[DaRev]

Yea the Illinois one sounds o.k.but I still can't decide whether Iowa University would be better. I'm thinking that when I check out the seminary and see what they think I'll find the college that offers the best program for what they say would be good. If they say music would be great then im off to UNI. Anything else I'd have to check. Btw I can't stand nebraska for some reason. It may not be the longest state, but on my vacation to Colorado it seemed like it. Seriously you have Omaha and then nothing for like 10 HOURS. So anyway.....

Music would be great. There is a great need for those with music majors in the Church. There was a young man in my vicarage congregation that was going to major in music before he went to the seminary.

I would look to see what type of courses are offered at UNI that might be helpful for any of the pre-sem requirements, like public speaking, etc. Check with the sem website about admission requirements. There are some suggestions listed there.


DaRev

 

[Melethiel]

A music major is fun, but a LOT of work. *looks at the gigantic pile of organ music and hymnals on her shelf*

 

[KEPLER]

A music major is fun, but a LOT of work. *looks at the gigantic pile of organ music and hymnals on her shelf*

Agreed! (says an ex-music major, turned English Lit major, turned Theology grad student, turned History doctoral student...)

Pre-med is easier than Music ( at least in terms of the number of classes one has to take!)

K

 

[KEPLER]

I have a questions about pre-seminary education and jobs for any lutheran pastors or soon to be pastors. I am almost positive I'm going to be a pastor and I'm going to be a senior next year. What jobs would be good for my transcripts for seminary? Which seminary in your opinion is better? Also what would be a good undergraduate to get? I'm thinking about music education, history, or communications but I don't know if these are good undergrads to have for a pastor. My sister says that I will NEED a bachelors degree in something religion oriented, but I don't think thats neccessary.

TRUTH IN INFORMATION: I am a history Ph.D. (M.A.in Theology) so I definitely have a biased opinion!

History is a great option. It will give you the chance to do basic work in both Ancient History (biblical era) and Modern History (Renaissance & Reformation) and lays the ground work upon which you can build your Seminary education.

Don't be afraid of a good secular University (University of Iowa is a fine university!). Anyone who tells you they are a bad place to go is naive and paranoid. It's like saying, "All Pit Bulls are mean vicious dogs". Some are, some aren't, but ALL should be handled with care. If you do got to a secular uni, however, make contact with a church in your synod quickly, and make some friends there (assuming you aren't staying home for college). And do your best to bunk with another Christian, if possible. You may not get that option right off the bat, but after the first semester, you can usually request a change, once you've found a friend you'd like to share a room with...

Also, start your German and AT LEAST one classical language (Greek and/or Latin) NOW, if you haven't already. Take adavnatge of AT LEAST one semester (if not a full year) studying in Europe. (The University of Goettingen has a geat foreign student program). Start looking into the Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD) for funding to go overseas: they have TONS of money that they love to give to students (including undergrads, if I'm not mistaken).

Hope that helps, and PM me if you have moe technical questions that I can help with.

Kepler

 

[LutheranHawkeye]

wow thanks for all the info. Would communications be a bad major, I'm just saying to help with the sermons or do you get enough training in seminary? Also what use could I get out of a music major if I am a pastor. The only things I can think of are setting up and directing varying music ensembles. Anyone have any more ideas on how a music major can help with being a pastor?

 

[LutherNut]

A music major is fun, but a LOT of work. *looks at the gigantic pile of organ music and hymnals on her shelf*

Mel, I noticed that your CF character is shoeless. Have you become a "barefoot Bible reader" too?

 

[Melethiel]

wow thanks for all the info. Would communications be a bad major, I'm just saying to help with the sermons or do you get enough training in seminary? Also what use could I get out of a music major if I am a pastor. The only things I can think of are setting up and directing varying music ensembles. Anyone have any more ideas on how a music major can help with being a pastor?

You can chant properly. Not enough pastors chant, IMO.

Jay - nah, but I couldn't find any shoes that match with my costume.

 

[LutheranHawkeye]

So a music major would help with creating ensembles and chanting...hehehh. Well I was really just trying to find a major that would be practical in the ministry. I know history would be great but I don't have any other ideas about music. Please elaborate.

 

[Melethiel]

So a music major would help with creating ensembles and chanting...hehehh. Well I was really just trying to find a major that would be practical in the ministry. I know history would be great but I don't have any other ideas about music. Please elaborate.

I don't know; I'm an organ major, so we go into church music and liturgics a lot in class. (2 weeks on how to properly play hymns...) Obviously, that would be different depending on what instrument you play. History would probably serve you better as it's usually the organist who's in charge of choirs and stuff anyway, but it's really up to you.

 

[LutheranHawkeye]

Well I actually play trombone, but I can play almost any brass instrument. A music major doens't sound very practical for me coupled with being a pastor.

 

[KEPLER]

Well I actually play trombone, but I can play almost any brass instrument. A music major doens't sound very practical for me coupled with being a pastor.

Good Lutherans don't play the trombone.

(at least according to Garrison Keillor)

 

[Melethiel]

Good Lutherans don't play the trombone.

(at least according to Garrison Keillor)

I'm more Lutheran than any of you, because the pipe organ is the only God-ordained instrument.

 

[LutheranHawkeye]

I dont think they play organ in heaven... Probably harps and electric guitars.

 

[Melethiel]

I dont think they play organ in heaven... Probably harps and electric guitars.

I'll grant you the harps. But electric guitars?

Besides, Bach played organ, Bach was Lutheran, ergo the official Lutheran instrument of choice is the pipe organ. And we know that if it's Lutheran, it's God-ordained.