Concordia Nebraska hosts luncheon for church work students
Seward, NE (02/01/2024) — During National Lutheran Schools Week, Concordia Nebraska hosted the university's second church work student luncheon on Wednesday, January 24. The event featured networking opportunities and a lunch buffet. Students from various church work programs were intentionally seated at each table, allowing participants to mingle with those outside of their area of study focus. All participants were encouraged to participate in icebreakers at each table.
The keynote speaker for the event was Rev. Dr. James Baneck, former North Dakota District President of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS). He currently serves as executive director of pastoral education for the LCMS. He talked about the synod's Set Apart to Serve program. Set Apart to Serve (SAS) is an initiative of the LCMS to recruit church workers. Since church work is rooted in Baptism and a lifetime of hearing the Word, SAS encourages young people to consider church work vocations primarily through their continued and faithful involvement with their congregation.
"Church worker formation begins with faith in Jesus through hearing God's Word," said Baneck. "Everyone in the church - pastors, commissioned workers and lay members - are church work recruiters. We are working to change LCMS culture so church worker recruitment is a common part of our work together."
Following Baneck's address, students were asked to discuss how being set apart to serve in church work will impact their day-to-day life. Lunch guests also took time to document their "why" on cards, and then shared their thoughts with other students at their table, resulting in lively and engaging conversation. Many students cited teachers, pastors and church workers who had inspired them.
More than 180 students attended the event, along with 15 Concordia Nebraska faculty. There are currently 264 students in church work programs at Concordia Nebraska. Concordia Nebraska's church work programs include Lutheran teacher diploma, director of Christian education, director of parish music, pre-seminary, pre-deaconess and classical Lutheran teacher certification.
Concordia Nebraska is currently planning additional church work student lunch events that will take place in fall 2024 and spring 2025.
About Concordia University, Nebraska
Concordia University, Nebraska, founded in 1894, is a fully accredited, coeducational university of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod located in Seward, Nebraska, which currently serves more than 2,500 students. Concordia offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in an excellent academic and Christ-centered community that equips men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership in the church and world. For more information, visit cune.edu.
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