Concordia, Nebraska is committed to preparing servant leaders for church and world, and fulfills its mission through its curriculum and faith-supporting environment on campus. Concordia, Nebraska is one of 10 institutions of the CUS and regularly accounts for one out of four individuals trained as church workers. Concordia has church work programs for future pastors, teachers, directors of Christian education, directors of family life ministry and directors of parish music.

The schools of the CUS "assist individuals to develop and mature in a Christian environment where Jesus Christ is the central focus of their education," said Dr. Kurt Krueger, executive director of the Board for University Education.

Concordia Sunday, he noted, provides an opportunity for LCMS congregations to: pray -- for schools, teachers, staff, and students, that they "find joy and fulfillment in careers where Jesus Christ is the focal point of their lives."

Suggested activities:

• Celebrate - by planning special worship services that highlight the benefits of Lutheran education. Distribute free Concordia Sunday materials, such as bulletin inserts and offering envelopes, recognize the families who have a member at a Concordia and invite guest speakers, such as local Concordia, Nebraska graduates or a Concordia administrator or teacher. Visit www.lcms.org/universities and click on "Orders" (or here) to see materials that may be ordered free of charge.
• Encourage -- by talking to young people about Lutheran schools and church-work careers. Ask the congregation's pastors and teachers to encourage those with special gifts to serve the church. Order free Concordia Sunday materials from the Board for University Education.

• Worship materials
  
  Bulletin insert -- a quick overview of the Concordia University System with contact information

  Bulletin announcements

  Litany - prayers for church workers and higher education

• "Consider a church vocation" handouts

  Jumping into Your Future - a youth-oriented challenge to consider church vocations (400k)
  "Jumping" brochure Response Card

  Church Worker Vocations - a fuller presentation of all professional church worker careers

• Individual church vocations brochures

  Ten Minutes with a Pastor
  Ten Minutes with a Teacher
  Ten Minutes with a Director of Christian Education

• Church worker recruitment

  A Noble Work -- ideas for establishing a church worker recruitment committee

  Recruitment Suggestions -- some specific ideas for helping to recruit persons to serve as full time church workers