Growing up in a family deeply rooted in church work, members of the Werner family shared their unique experiences and insights into how faith and service have shaped their lives in the first-ever episode of Conversations on Culture & Faith. This new podcast series focuses on talking about topics from our current cultural moment with an eye towards the Lutheran faith.
From childhood memories of spending countless hours at church to the influence of family involvement, the interview with the Werners delves into how their lives were molded by the church and how their professional careers came to be. Here are some key insights they shared during our time with them.
Family Influence on Church Involvement
Reflecting on how their upbringing as children of church workers made church work a natural career path, Leah Tweedale recalled: “We spent the majority of our day at church.” She and her siblings highlighted how their father’s role in youth and family ministry exposed them to various church roles beyond the traditional pastor or teacher. As Zack Werner noted, “Being in a church worker’s home, it’s like, oh yeah, this is just life.”
The Normal Nature of Church Work
For the Werner siblings, church work seemed like it was always an option. Being part of a church worker’s family made the idea of serving the church feel attainable and normal. This perspective was reinforced by seeing family members and peers actively involved in church activities. “I think seeing people go through the process made it more attainable,” Pastor Joel Werner shared as he recalled when his father decided to go to the seminary.
Challenges and Misconceptions
Despite the rewarding nature of church work, each family member acknowledged common misconceptions, such as the belief that church work is easy. “Church workers work hard. They work a lot of nights and weekends,” Pastor Mark Werner stressed, highlighting the sacrifices made by those in ministry. Our conversation also emphasized the importance of supporting church workers and encouraging future generations to consider church work as a viable career path.
These professional church workers’ stories are a testament to the profound impact of family involvement in church life. Their journey highlights the importance of nurturing faith within families and communities, ensuring that church work remains a viable and fulfilling path for future generations. You can listen to the full episode at https://michigandistrict.org/category/podcast-episodes/ in your preferred streaming platform.
In a 2024 survey of LCMS youth, 23% responded that they were considering church work but have not decided, and 27% of youth have never really thought about it. One conversation or word of encouragement could be just the nudge they need to start prayerfully considering church work as their lifelong vocation. Set Apart to Serve, an LCMS ministry, has resources for individuals, schools, and congregations to help foster those conversations. For more information, visit lcms.org/set-apart-to-serve. The Michigan District, LCMS provides scholarships for students entering church work in an LCMS university or seminary. To apply, visit michigandistrict.org/churches/future-church-workers/financial-aid/.
