Frequently Asked Questions
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- What kind of a ‘degree’ does the LSM bestow?
- Who may attend? Any restrictions?
- What kinds of things will I learn in the LSM?
- Where and when does the LSM meet?
- How much reading and outside study is required?
- What is the total time commitment each month?
- What about food and housing for those from out of the area?
- How much does the LSM cost? Books and other materials?
- Who pays? The individual or their church?
- When are payments due?
- Are scholarships available?
- What (Who) are mentor pastors? Must I have one to participate?
- What are covenant groups?
- Who are the LSM Faculty?
- Must I have Internet access to participate?
- What other things are required of participants?
- How do I register for Lay School?
- Who can attend Continuing Education classes?
Please scroll down to find the response to these questions.
1. What kind of a ‘degree’ does the LSM bestow?
The LSM does not give degrees. Its purpose it to help each participant more fully live out their vocation as a baptized Christian. If you are sensing a call to rostered ministry, either as a deacon or a pastor, contact synod minister Randy Olson (715-859-6810). While participation in LSM does not by itself qualify a person for consideration by the Synod staff for its Synodically Authorized Ministry program, most Synodically Authorized Ministers now serving in our synod are current or past participants.
2. Who may attend? Any restrictions?
Anyone can attend! You do not even need to be from our Synod to attend (via Zoom). There are no restrictions for a year one participant. Students starting the second year of instruction must have completed the first year. Continuing education is open only to those who have completed the two year program at our Lay School or an equivalent program in another Synod. At any time in the future, when the continuing education theme is of interest, a “graduate” may participate.
3. What kinds of things will I learn in the LSM?
You will have the opportunity to learn about the Bible, church history, worship, theology, as well as your own spiritual formation and growth. You will also learn about the faith journeys of the other members of your class.
4. Where and when does the LSM meet?
The LSM meets the second Saturday and the preceding Friday each month, September-May. This year’s courses will be hybrid September, October, November, April, and May. In-person attendance at Our Saviours in Chippewa Falls is encouraged, but a Zoom option is available. December-March we are only on Zoom to avoid issues of winter travel. The basic course runs for two years.
5. How much reading and outside study is required?
Each of the four core courses requires reading. The number of pages varies by course and month, but a good rule of thumb is about 6 hours per month. The text books for each course are listed on the bibliography page.
6. What is the total time commitment each month?
The courses will meet will meet on Zoom or, in person on hybrid months at Our Saviours, from 7 PM -10 PM Friday evening from 9:00 AM to noon on Saturday. Each month you will also have reading (about 6 hours). You are encouraged to meet monthly to discuss your learning with your mentor pastor. During the month, your covenant group may write reactions to the conversations you had during classes, using the e-mail groups created for your class and your covenant groups. Some covenant groups may choose to meet in other appropriate ways.
7. What about food and housing for those from out of the area?
In the months that the Lay School meets in person at Our Saviours, the Lay School Board plans to have the Friday supper available for purchase. Information about the meals will be sent out in advance in the Lay School newsletter. Our caterer needs to know how many meals we need, so the summer newsletters will contain contact information to allow this to happen for our September session. Subsequent Friday night meals can be registered for during the prior month’s Lay School session.
If you are traveling from a distance and wish to have housing provided for Friday evening, some members of Our Saviours, and some local Lay School attendees, have made accommodations available. Please let us know when you register if you would like us to reserve a host family for you for Friday nights, and if you have any pet allergies.
8. How much does the LSM cost? Books and other materials?
The LSM tuition for both the first and second year students as well as the continuing ed. class is $475/year. Books for the first year average @$225. Books for the second year are usually no more than $50, since you will still be using many of the same books from your first year classes.
9. Who pays? The individual or their church?
The LSM board strongly urges congregations to help participants pay for this course. Why? The board believes that you are an important part of the ministry of your congregation. As it helps pay for continuing education for the pastor and others on staff, it should consider helping to cover at least part of the cost of your LSM experience. Often congregations pay one half of the cost, while the participant picks up the other half.
10. When are payments due?
The first payment of $100 is due with your registration. Other payments are received by our treasurer, Vicki Fankhauser, when you are able to pay them. Participants are encouraged to complete payments by the January session. Special arrangements can be made with Vicki if warranted.
11. Are scholarships available?
Yes, scholarships are available. The LSM board is very grateful that the Women of the ELCA have offered $100 scholarships to women who attend LSM. For men, or for women who need more than a $100 scholarship, the board has established a special scholarship fund, named in honor of Dick and Naomi Bruesehoff and Howard Weber. In order to apply, you need to demonstrate that you have asked your congregation to be a financial partner in your LSM experience. You many then apply for a LSM scholarship, whether or not your congregation actually grants you financial assistance.
12. What (Who) are mentor pastors? Must I have one to participate?
Typically your parish pastor will serve as your mentor. In rare instances another pastor may serve in that role. In order to apply, you must have a mentor pastor. (His/Her signature is required on the application.) Their role is to regularly meet and discuss with you what you have learned and how you believe it will impact your life and the life of the congregation.
13. What are covenant groups?
Covenant groups are usually comprised of 3-5 members of a class. They may be part of an online discussion group. They are also your prayer partners, and will probably become your close friends. During the November session of year 1, you will be given the opportunity to select your covenant group members.
14. Who are the LSM Faculty?
Years One and Two:
Biblical – Pastor Greg Kaufmann (Synod Minister-retired)
Confessions/Church History – Prof. Gary Simpson (Luther Seminary – retired)
Worship – Rev. Dr. David K. Anderson (Retired ELCA Pastor, Eau Claire),
Spiritual Formation – Pastor Natalie Leske, (Taylor Lutheran Church)
Congregational Leadership – Bishop Laurie Skow-Anderson (Bishop – NWSW)
Continuing Education Faculty:
Students who complete the first two years of Lay School may then continue in the Lay School’s Continuing Education Class. Topics vary from year to year, and faculty are invited from colleges, seminaries, businesses and church-wide staff with expertise in the area of study.
15. Must I have Internet access to participate?
Yes. The Lay School now offers some of its sessions in a hybrid fashion. September, October, November, April and May are hybrid. The Lay School board and faculty encourage in-person participation at Our Saviours during these months if possible. December through March are online only. The Lay School uses ZOOM as its platform for the online course sessions.
Another reason internet access is crucial is that your covenant group has the opportunity to be part of an on-line discussion of what you learn each month. You will not want to miss seeing how your covenant group members are integrating what they have studied with their lives both in and outside of their congregations.
Each month an LSM newsletter is sent via e-mail.
16. What other things are required of participants?
The LSM board feels strongly that your presence is crucial. While reading the assigned books is important, there is no substitute for the give and take of the discussion each month in class. Often a question arises which leads the group into an important area of ministry, but not the one planned for that session. Certain family situations may arise which prohibit a participant from attending. If you know that might happen, make arrangements for your covenant group to tape the sessions for you.
17. How do I register for Lay School?
A printable .pdf file of the Lay School Registration form is linked off of our Registration Information page. You may also register online and make your payment by following the online registration link on that page. Completed paper forms and a $100 check payable to Lay School of Ministry can be mailed to Vicki Fankhauser. Her address is on the form.
18. Who can attend the Continuing Education classes?
All graduates of the Lay School of Ministry are welcome and encoured to attend the Continuing Education classes. Graduates of other synodical lay schools are welcome to attend as well.
