Registration for the annual fall symposium at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (WLS), Mequon, Wis., is now open. The symposium will be held Sept. 16-17 at the seminary, with portions of the activities also being streamed live.This year's symposium, open to active and retired WELS and Evangelical Lutheran Synod pastors, will focus on “The Pastor and his Seminary Training.” Three parish pastors will present on “The Pastor as Exegete,” “The Pastor as Dogmatician,” and “The Pastor as Church Historian.”
“The topic fits perfectly into this year’s 150th anniversary celebration for the seminary,” says Rev. John Hartwig, WLS professor and chairman of the anniversary publicity committee. “The speakers will focus on three areas that have been part of the school’s curriculum since its founding and talk about how their training in these fields has impacted their ministries.”
Afterward, professors from Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn., and the seminary will react to each essay and share how these disciplines guide the curricula of the schools today.
A special anniversary banquet—which will include the first-time viewing of a video promoting the seminary’s mission—is also being planned in conjunction with the symposium.
This is one of several events being planned to celebrate the seminary’s 150th anniversary in 2013–14. The main anniversary service will be held at 3 and 7 p.m., Nov. 17, 2013, with WELS president Rev. Mark Schroeder serving as the preacher and choirs from the four ministerial education schools providing the music. The 3 p.m. service will be streamed live. Print and online publications will also highlight the school’s past, present, and future ministry.
For more information about and to register for the symposium, go to www.wls.wels.net. There you can also learn more about the 150th anniversary.