Ministers of the Gospel
Well done, good and faithful servants! We’re proud of the generations of CUAA church workers who have brought others into God’s family through the preaching and teaching of the Gospel.
The good work of preparing future leaders for the Church continues at CUAA today. We invite you to explore whether God is calling you to join the ranks of Concordia alumni who serve Christ as church workers throughout the world.
Refer A Student
Pre-Seminary "I love my Old Testament class with Dr. Yakimow. He’s led me to think about the Bible in ways I never have before." - Aaron Halboth
Explore pre-seminary studies
Lutheran Teacher "The faculty and staff at Concordia show me every day the type of teacher I want to become." - Kyra Jammer
Explore Lutheran education
Family Life Ministry "A strong family rooted in Christ is so important, and Concordia helped prepare me to make a difference for the relationships that matter most." - Celia Walkowicz
Explore family life ministry
Parish Music "I strive to play at my greatest ability to give glory to God. It’s icing on the cake that Concordia’s newly restored pipe organ is at my access 24/7." - Jacob Ferns
Explore parish musicOur Commitment to the Church
Concordia University Ann Arbor knows the urgent need for more skilled workers for the Church. The university annually commits a variety of support to students who indicate their desire to pursue church work.
- $19,435 average aid awarded to church work candidates
- 4 church work-specific scholarships available
- 50 approximate number of church work-exclusive endowments awarded annually
- 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio
Why choose CUAA for Church Work?
Pre-Seminary
Is God calling you to teach the Gospel and administer the Sacraments as an LCMS pastor?
Lutheran Teacher Degree
God has called and equipped you to be an inspiration and impact teacher.
Family Life Ministry
The Family Life Ministry program at CUAA equips students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to not only help families to survive, but to thrive in life and faith.
Pre-Deaconess Studies
Your calling is to serve the Church in evangelism, mission, parish teaching, youth ministry, or even pre-deaconess/social ministry.
Director of Parish Music
Parish musicians teach the faith through music. Discover the many ways you can serve through Parish Music.
Pre-Seminary
Is God calling you to teach the Gospel and administer the Sacraments as an LCMS pastor? We encourage pre-seminary students to take a major in Applied Theology and a major or a minor in Theological Languages. However, Pre-seminary students can major in any program at the university, such as business, education, graphic design, or theology, for example. You will take required courses like New Testament, Biblical Theology, and Greek, in order to provide you with a solid foundation before heading off to Seminary.
View Pre-Seminary ProgramLutheran Teacher
God has called and equipped you to be an inspiration and impact teacher. You will be prepared to share the Gospel using the gifts and platform God has given you. Earn your Lutheran Teacher Diploma in early childhood, elementary, a dual major of early childhood and elementary, special education, and secondary levels, which include numerous majors. Students can focus on concentrations which have been carefully and creatively designed to meet the needs of students for today and tomorrow. Over the past 5 years, we’ve placed nearly 100% of our graduates.
View Lutheran Teaching Diploma ProgramFamily Life Ministry
The Family Life Ministry program at CUAA equips students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to not only help families to survive, but to thrive in life and faith. In the Family Life Ministry major, students receive the academic and practical training needed to understand how people develop as individuals and how strong families function according to the Bible. Students in the program learn the Scriptures and the necessary skills so that they can lead children’s ministry, youth ministry, and full family ministry in Christian churches.
View Family Life ProgramPre-Deaconess Studies
Your calling is to serve the Church in evangelism, mission, parish teaching, youth ministry, or even pre-deaconess/social ministry. You’ll be ready to support Bible studies, community outreach, mercy work, and administrative duties. Since no two graduates will have the exact same roles, you’ll take management and leadership courses that will help you adapt to any situation. You’ll get a solid foundation with a theology major, and you’ll diversify your skillset with two minors. The first minor is in church ministries and the second minor is in nonprofit management so that you can understand how operations work at a church or nonprofit organization.
View Pre-Deaconess Studies ProgramDirector of Parish Music
Parish musicians teach the faith through music. Discover the many ways you can serve through Parish Music. From learning to direct choirs and instrumental groups, to supporting the structure of the Divine Service, you’ll develop your skills from training with practicing church musicians. As you learn to lead the congregation through music, you’ll have many opportunities to grow in your vocation as a parish musician.
View Parish Music ProgramSTEPS church work internship
Since 2004, Concordia University Ann Arbor’s STEPS program has helped more church work candidates gain early, on-the-job training and access to mentors than any other school in the Concordia University System.
Students enrolled in pre-seminary, pre-deaconess, family life ministry, or parish music programs are eligible to participate in this paid part-time internship experience with any of CUAA’s 20-plus partner parishes or LCMS ministries.
Typically church work students don’t participate in the equivalent of an internship until their senior year at CUAA or seminary, but STEPS aims to get them into real-life ministry settings starting in their sophomore year.
Colloquy Routes
If you’ve already received a non-church work degree but would like to become a rostered worker of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, you have some options. Colloquy programs prepare individuals who are already serving in ministry roles to become a Minister of Religion-Commissioned within the LCMS.
Online
The most popular route to a colloquy is through the Concordia University Education Network (CUEnet). CUEnet is an online program that requires the completion of eight courses, after which an individual can select a Concordia within the Concordia University System where they would like their final, in-person interview to be conducted. Visit the LCMS’s Colloquy Training for Workers page to find more details and to apply or contact Jim Juergensen with questions.
Financial Assistance
Concordia aims to support lifelong Lutheran learning at all levels. So whether you’re looking at options for your children or yourself, Concordia has a multitude of programs that will prepare you with uncommon compassion, ethical conscience, and unparalleled skill.
Luther Promise
Up to $20,000 for undergraduates of any Lutheran congregation or high school, or dependent of CUS alumni or rostered church workers. Learn more about the Luther Promise scholarship here.
Luther Scholar Guarantee
Undergraduates who are new freshman, who are planning to be LCMS pastors, and who declare a pre-seminary track are eligible to receive $20,000. Learn more about the Luther Scholar Guarantee here.
Uncommon Scholarship
Employees of Lutheran schools and churches qualify for scholarships on eligible graduate courses or adult accelerated programs. Learn more about the Uncommon Scholarships here.
Church Work Scholarships
Financial aid is specifically reserved for students pursuing pre-seminary, Lutheran education, DCM, or parish music. Click here for more details.
Fine Arts Scholarships
Scholarships exist for students pursuing music, theatre, or art involvement at CUAA. Click here for more details.
Scholarship Endowments
Concordia has a number of scholarship endowments specifically designated for church work students. Based on a student’s financial need, he or she may qualify for assistance from one of these funds. Ask your financial aid advisor for details.
If you would like more information about leaving a legacy by establishing an endowment, click here or contact Roy Peterson at Roy.Peterson@cuw.edu.
Applicants may be eligible for other grants or tuition assistance. Each individual is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Visit the pages linked above to connect with the appropriate Admissions rep.
In the church and the world
Church work enrollment rises again at CUAA
Nov 27, 2023
Within the Concordia University System, CUWAA continues to serve the most Lutheran students and the largest population of church work students for the LCMS. Read More
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