It is very predictable. Like clockwork each year, the July issue of Forward in Christ features the names and photos of graduates of Martin Luther College (MLC) and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary.

Some graduates hail from called worker families. Others are blazing a trail in their families as first-generation students training for public ministry service.

Regardless of their family backgrounds, all graduates have this in common: By their preparation for service in the public ministry, they embraced a huge commitment of time, effort, and expense.

The graduates from the seminary and the graduates from MLC who were assigned as teachers and staff ministers also enjoy a common title: gifts to the church. MLC pre-seminary graduates who complete their training at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and then receive assignments as pastors will have that same title.

Why call those men and women gifts to the church? Because that is the language of Scripture.

The apostle Paul wrote by inspiration of the Holy Spirit: “Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11). Christ gives those people to his church. He does that through the divine calls that churches extend to those individuals.

And the Lord gives called workers to the church for a reason: “to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Ephesians 4:12).

Called workers do not have a monopoly on the work of the church. By themselves, they cannot do all the work of the church thoroughly and efficiently. Nor was it the Lord’s intention that called workers carry out that work by themselves.

The Lord’s design is that called workers equip and train fellow Christians to work together with them. Through their combined efforts, the work of the church gets done well.

So, as it is with any gifts, it is appropriate to thank the giver of these gifts to the church. How do we do that? With prayers of thanks, yes. But these new gifts need our support.

Why? Consider how the apostle Paul encouraged his young colleague in ministry, Timothy: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).

Young called workers can feel intimidated and inadequate as they serve older Christians. Those feelings can diminish when Christians give young called workers love, honor, and respect, and support them with prayers and works of service.

Before you go, let me encourage you to take another look at the photos of this year’s graduates of Martin Luther College and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. Select one person. Look at his or her face. You may not know the person, but that’s okay.

Thank the Lord of the church for this person. Pray that the Lord gives this person strength and joy as he or she embarks on a new phase of Christian living—through service in a called position, continued studies, or as a lay member of a congregation.

And then pray for more gifts to the church. The church needs them.

James Pope | FIC Editor

Author: James Pope
Volume 113, Number 07
Issue: July 2026