Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (WLS) and Martin Luther College (MLC) are kicking off their summer sessions. Both schools are offering courses to help pastors, teachers, and staff ministers grow spiritually and professionally.

"It's important for a called worker to move from being the feeder of the flock to the one being fed," says Rev. Richard Gurgel, director of continuing education for WLS.

One hundred eighteen students are enrolled in WLS's Summer Quarter. Most of those students will come to the seminary's Mequon, Wis., campus, June 21 through July 9. This year, though, for the first time, the seminary is also offering an online course during Summer Quarter. The course, taught by seminary professor Rev. E. Allen Sorum, has 28 students enrolled. It began on June 14 and focuses on the apostle Paul and leadership.

Sorum explains that the students he's heard from are excited to be able to work on a course on their own schedule. "At least for this summer, this is the only way they can participate in the Summer Quarter Program," he says.

Gurgel says that WLS will gradually increase its online course offerings. The goal is to have three classes available for next year's Summer Quarter and to eventually also offer online courses throughout the school year for those who aren't able to participate during the summer.

Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn., offers on-campus, off-campus, and online summer courses. Its summer session began on June 14, and 511 students are participating.

Prof. Dave Bauer, director of continuing education at MLC, says, "The called workers of WELS are well prepared to serve as pastors, teachers, and staff ministers. This educational foundation, however, is not intended in and of itself to support a lifetime of ministry. Continuing education is necessary to maintain and increase professional and spiritual qualifications for ministry excellence."

To learn more about these schools' continuing education opportunities, visit www.wls.wels.net or www.mlc-wels.edu.