Faith Lutheran Church

  • Home
  • Give
  • Contact
  • Reserve Space
    • Baptisms
    • Weddings
    • Funerals
  • Forms
  • About
    • Mission
    • Becoming a Member
    • Worship Info
      • Worship Schedule
      • Communion
      • Taxi Service
      • Services on Cable TV
    • Directions and Map
    • Links of Interest
  • Get Involved
    • Internship Program
    • Adult Studies and Small Groups
    • Music Ministry
  • Children & Youth
    • Children
    • Youth
  • Leadership
    • Staff
    • Church Council Members & Minutes
    • Ministry Teams
      • Church in the World
      • Congregational Life
      • Discipleship
      • Management
      • Children, Youth and Families
      • Worship Team
    • Faith Lutheran Church Women (FLCW)
  • News
    • Monthly Newsletter
    • Weekly Bulletins
    • Sermons
  • Calendar

“Okay, God, the only way I’l become a pastor is…”

June 5, 2012 By Faith

That’s how my bargain with God started. I told Him that my pastors would have to tell me so, I wouldn’t uproot my family and I wouldn’t quit my job. Basically, it wasn’t happening.

And then the Institute of Lutheran Theology happened, and my pastors recommended I go for it. Once again, God wins!

That was over three years ago. Now, five terms (plus one summer term) later, I am more than halfway done with my Master of Divinity degree through ILT. It’s been a crazy ride; sometimes frantic, other times stressful, occasionally frustrating, but always enlightening.

I’ve been immersed in philosophy, from Plato to Nietzsche to Barth. I’ve studied all things Lutheran, from Luther to the confessions to Lutheran worship. I’ve had practical ministry training, including two preaching classes that have been the most valuable classes I’ve taken so far. I’ve even endured Greek! Most importantly, I’ve taken many classes on the Bible that covered much of the Old and New Testaments (my class on Paul and his letters is still my favorite ILT class).

The process has made me a better minister of the gospel. Much of what I have learned has filtered into my work as the Director of Youth and Family Ministries at Faith Lutheran (because, after all, what teen doesn’t want to learn about Immanuel Kant!?). My preaching has improved as I’ve learned more about the focus and purpose of preaching and received guidance in developing my style and voice. I think that is what I appreciate the most about the ILT format; that I can be learning head-scratching philosophical concepts from the Enlightenment or diving deep into Greek translation difficulties and their implications while still staying grounded in the everyday messiness, demands and joys of ministry.

It works, thanks to the support of my wife and kids, the camaraderie of my classmates, and the encouragement of my congregation. I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to study at a school like ILT, and thank all of you who support this awesome endeavor!

To learn more about ILT, click here.

Written by Dave Wollan, former Director of Youth and Family Ministry, and now a pastor at Faith Lutheran. Check out Dave’s ministry (and sports) blog at wollcott.wordpress.com.

Filed Under: Institute of Lutheran Theology, News Tagged With: Dave Wollan, ILT

New to Faith?

Building FAITH is the mission statement for Faith Lutheran Church, and it’s much more than just a slogan. You can see by all the ministries described on this website that God is Building FAITH in this church. It describes the amazing work God has done through our church through the years. It conveys our trust that God will amaze us even more in the future. It also calls all of us in this family of Faith to invest ourselves in the mission of bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to a world broken by sin. Continue Reading

Finding Faith

View in Google Maps

Get In Touch

Faith Lutheran Church

335 Main St. S.

Hutchinson, MN 55350

[P] 320-587-2093

Email Faith Lutheran

Stay Connected

Sign up to get updates from Faith Lutheran Church sent straight to your email

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Faith Lutheran Church - Hutchinson, MN

13 hours ago

Faith Lutheran Church - Hutchinson, MN
How would you like to "Pie" your favorite Pastor or Staff member? ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Faith Lutheran Church - Hutchinson, MN was live.

2 days ago

Faith Lutheran Church - Hutchinson, MN
"Past Experiences" ... See MoreSee Less

Video

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Faith Lutheran Church - Hutchinson, MN

2 days ago

Faith Lutheran Church - Hutchinson, MN
Join us for some fun after worship in Library Square this Sunday, June 11th, for a Pie a Pastor (or staff member) plus pie social fundraiser! Money raised will help fund maintenance and repairs for Faith Lutheran's Ringers of Faith hand bells.Tickets will be sold before and after worship in the park with the "pie-ing" beginning at 11:30.Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5 and 12 for $10.Don't miss your chance at "pie-ing" your favorite staff member this Sunday! ... See MoreSee Less

Video

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Copyright © 2023 · Faith Lutheran Church · All Rights Reserved · Developed by Vivid Image · Privacy Policy · Log in