Contextual Education

Teaching Congregations

Teaching Congregations participation is a key to becoming a missional church leader. This is more than just another requirement; it is an opportunity for you to explore what it means to do theology in a specific context. You'll engage in a lively and directed conversation with other students, a mentor pastor, and have a place to carry out connecting coursework.

Four semesters of Teaching Congregations participation is a degree requirement.

Internship

If you are a candidate for ordained ministry in the ELCA you will normally complete a one-year, full-time internship in a congregation of the church. Internship is another opportunity to do theology and explore what it means to be a leader in the church. You will be supervised by an ordained pastor of the congregation in which your are placed. You will also be assisted by a committee of lay persons chosen to provide complementary guidance and support.

The internship program is coordinated by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Contextual Learning office.