Plant the Seed
Identify and encourage individuals with a gift for public ministry
It may be as simple as telling someone: "I see real gifts for ministry in you. Have you ever thought of going to seminary?"
The Fund for Theological Education has made a best practices list to help you prepare future leaders for the church. Explore the Fund for Theological Education's 10 Best Practices.
Pray with and for future leaders of the church
- Encourage potential church leaders to listen to what the Lord is saying.
- Encourage them to sign up for Luther Seminary's God Pause. This is a great way to listen to God each day.
- In the prayers of the church, regularly ask God to raise up leaders for the church.
- Download Prayers for the Harvest, daily prayers available from Luther Seminary.
Publicize the need for future church leaders
The harvest is plentiful but the the laborers are few. Be sure that your congregation knows about the shortage of leaders in the church - both lay and ordained. For example, the eight seminaries of the ELCA together were able to provide only 1/3 of the first-call pastors requested by synods. Congregations in underserved areas - rural communities, inner cities, ethnic communities - are crying out for pastors and lay professionals.
