Thank you for your interest in hosting a seminary student in your congregation or other ministry site!
To serve as a “teaching & learning” site is a great honor and a great responsibility. You commit to teaching the students entrusted to you, but also to learning alongside them. You become an extension of the seminary faculty, accompanying a student in meaningful and incredibly important ways as they are formed for ministry. Wartburg cannot do this work without you. We are so grateful for your willingness to explore partnering with us for the sake of the gospel!
We now offer a variety of ways to host students!
Hosting a student for the duration of their academic program
- TEEM (Theological Education for Emerging Ministries)
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- TEEM sites and students are identified by their synods. Once you’ve been selected by your synod to serve as a TEEM site, please fill out the application below for the seminary’s records.
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- Learn more about the TEEM program by clicking HERE
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- Journey Together sites and students are also identified by their synods. Once you’ve been selected by your synod to serve as a Journey Together site, please fill out the application below for the seminary’s records.
- Learn more about the Journey Together program by clicking HERE
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- Collaborative Learning (CL) sites may host students in formation to become either Word & Service (deacons) or Word & Sacrament (pastors) rostered leaders. CL sites host Word & Service students for 2 years and Word & Sacrament students for 4 years. The student takes courses full-time online while also working 20-25 hours per week at your site.
- Learn more about the Collaborative Learning program by clicking HERE
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- Accelerated Ministry (AMP) sites host students in formation to become Word & Sacrament (pastors) rostered leaders. AMP sites host students for 2-3 years. The student takes courses full-time online while also working 20-25 hours per week at your site.
- Learn more about the Accelerated Ministry program by clicking HERE
Hosting a student for an internship
The internship is an important piece of both the academic and ELCA requirements for Word & Service and Word & Sacrament rostered leaders.
- Word & Service Internship (for future deacons)
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- Congregations & other ministry sites (hospitals, care facilities, non-profit agencies, etc.) may serve as internship sites for a student in formation to become a deacon. The deacon internship is 6-months full-time or the equivalent, for a total of 1,000 hours.
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- Learn more about the Word & Service program by clicking HERE
- Word & Sacrament Internship (for future pastors)
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- Congregations & other ministry sites (hospitals, care facilities, non-profit agencies, etc.) may serve as internship sites for a student in formation to become a pastor. The pastor internship is 12-months full-time or the equivalent, for a total of 2,000 hours.
- Learn more about the Word & Sacrament program by clicking HERE
Discerning your call to host a student!
Prospective sites are encouraged to spend time with the Discernment Wheels as you consider hosting a student. To view the CL Discernment Wheel, click HERE. To view the Internship Discernment Wheel, click HERE. The Contextual Education Office is happy to answer questions or consult with you on the best fit for your site. Additionally, all of our handbooks are available by clicking HERE, offering you the opportunity to thoroughly explore what it means to serve as a teaching & learning site.
Are You Ready To Apply? Follow The Steps Below!
- Applications will be accepted year-round. You may complete the application at your convenience. Make sure to answer all questions on the application form. We suggest you first download the application & then save your answers as you go. Click HERE to go to the application.
- The Contextual Education Office will be in contact with you if we have any questions about your application. If/when we identify a potential student for your site, you will be notified by the Contextual Education Office. If a student is not identified for your site within the placement cycle indicated on your application, you will be invited to update your application for the next placement cycle.
- We appreciate your prayers as Wartburg Seminary prayerfully discerns placements for students.
Have Questions or Experiencing Issues With the Application Form?
Email contextualeducation@wartburgseminary.edu and either Stacey Nalean-Carlson, Director of Contextual Education, or Emily Prough, Contextual Education Coordinator, will assist you. We are here to accompany you as you consider this exciting opportunity!