The decreasing number of future pastors and professional church workers graduating from our seminaries and universities is having an impact on the number of church workers available to serve our congregations. One of the reasons why students do not enter into church work as their career choice is the cost. The average 3-credit class cost at a private university like Concordia is $1,755, and a 4-year Bachelor’s degree requires a minimum of 90 credits.
After a student’s financial aid packet is put together, the Michigan District scholarships ($1,800-$3,000 for the 2017-2018 school year) go over and above. Here’s how you can help on this Giving Tuesday: There are 120 Tuesdays in the life of a college student, and an average student typically takes three classes a day. Would you sponsor a Tuesday for a church work student? Your gift of $39 sponsors a student for one class on one Tuesday; $117 sponsors three classes on a Tuesday (a full day); and $468 sponsors four full Tuesdays.
Click here to donate. As part of the Here We Stand campaign, all donations to Professional Church Worker Scholarships receive a 10% match from CEF.
Photos by Elisa Schulz/Michigan District, LCMS
