Planting Seeds for Pastors: The Power of Asking in Ministry Recruitment

How a campus pastor’s persistent invitations led 40 men to pursue the pastoral office, and why every local pastor should keep asking.

In my vocation as a pastor, I’ve been privileged to influence the decisions of some 40 men to study for the pastoral office and ultimately be certified for calls.

In my experience, one of the greatest fields for recruitment to our seminaries is given to those who are involved in campus ministry. For almost 13 years, I was campus pastor at University Lutheran Chapel on the campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Admittedly, it was a very large campus ministry. We often had as many as 400 students in attendance at Divine Service. It was an exciting place to do Word and Sacrament ministry.

A great thing about campus ministry is that when young men and women get up on a Sunday morning and decide to attend church, you know they already have a strong commitment to Christ, His Church, and His gifts. They are young men and women battered during the week with anti-Christian teaching and anti-Christian animosity. Still, they rise and shine and give God the glory on Sunday morning.

Early in my work as a campus pastor, I discovered that the simple watchwords for seminary student recruitment among the young men whom God sent to University Lutheran Chapel were these: “You have not, because, you ask not.”

I’m told the mantra in advertising is that the average person needs to hear something seven times before recognizing and appreciating the need for a particular product. In fact, it proved to be just that simple for seminary recruitment. I watched the young men coming and going each week, and at an opportune time, would simply ask this or that one if he had ever considered studying for pastoral ministry. The key was, I didn’t just ask once, or twice. Why should the question be asked only once?

Frankly, some of the men from the Chapel who went to the seminary already had in mind to do so after finishing their undergraduate degree. For these, it was a matter of keeping them focused on that goal. Others who went to the seminary were converts—men who were catechized at the Chapel and subsequently decided to go to the seminary. Still others went because it was suggested to them that they do so.

While the above-cited number did end up being certified for a call, there were other men from the Chapel who went to the seminary but subsequently realized the pastoral office wasn’t for them. I’m certain, nevertheless, that they then offered strong lay support to the congregations they eventually joined.

While it may seem as though I’m suggesting campus ministry is the best place to challenge men to study for the pastoral office, that is definitely not my point. Campus ministry is a great field for recruitment, but the pastor of a local congregation is in the best position to speak with men about considering pastoral ministry.

It’s absolutely true that the local pastor may have a smaller field of candidates to challenge, but in virtually every congregation, some men would consider the challenge if asked. The local pastor has catechized young men from his congregation. He can identify this or that one who might make a fine pastor. It’s important to ask. Challenge them. Do so repeatedly. Do not be afraid to make the suggestion. Many times. Maybe most will not take up the challenge. But there are pastors to be made from your field.

“You have not, because, you ask not.”

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The Rev. James Bauer was born in Lincoln, Nebraska and raised in rural Seward county. He was confirmed at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Goehner and graduated from Seward High School in 1968. Upon deciding to study for the holy ministry he attended St. John College, Winfield, KS, graduating with an AA degree in 1970. He finished his undergraduate work at Concordia College, Seward, NE, graduating in 1972 with a BS in education. He immediately enrolled at Concordia Theological Seminary, Springfield, IL, graduating in 1976 with a BD and MDiv. His vicarage year was served at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Puyallup, WA. Pr. Bauer married Linda (nee Schardt) Bauer of rural Hebron, NE in 1971. They have two daughters, Mrs. Jeffrey (Angela) Hensiek of Arvada, CO and Mrs. John (Andrea) Kidd of Centennial, CO. Pr. Bauer was called to St. John and Zion Lutheran churches, Chester and Hubbell, NE upon graduating from the seminary in 1976. He served these parishes until accepting the call in 1978, to become campus pastor at University Lutheran Chapel, Lincoln, NE. In 1990. Pr. Bauer accepted the call of Trinity Lutheran Church, Denver, CO, serving this parish since then. Pr. Bauer has been, and is involved, in many circuit, District and Synodical activities. He was elected to and finished two 6 year terms on the Board of Governors for Concordia Historical Institute in St. Louis, Mo. Pr. Bauer has taught beginning theology at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Pretoria, SA and led theological seminars twice in Uganda.