Merry Christmas from ‘Set Apart to Serve’

(LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)

A Christmas greeting, in verse, from the Rev. Dr. James Baneck, executive director of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Office of Pastoral Education, which oversees Set Apart to Serve, a Synodwide effort to create a culture of church work formation and recruitment.

‘Twas the time before Christmas, when all through the church

The people of God faced a culture on the lurch.

Set Apart to Serve was busy, each giving a care,

In hopes that more church workers soon would appear.

Boys were nestled, all snug in their beds,

While visions of preaching danced in their heads.

And mamas in their kerchiefs, and dads in their caps,

Encouraged their children a church vocation to tap.

While out in the world there continued such clatter,

Sin, death and the devil! That’s what was the matter!

Away to the cross I flew like a flash

And saw Jesus and Satan — there did they clash!

Jesus’ work on the cross made us pure as snow.

Now we need pastors so everyone can know.

But not only pastors do my eyes seek so clear,

But teachers and deaconesses who serve without fear,

Plus DCEs and musicians so lively and quick,

How about you be a church worker — you can take your pick!

Many people help form workers, I’ll call them by name:

They may be different in station, but their goal is the same.

“Now, pastors! Now, parents! Now, leaders of youth!

On, laity! On, elders! On, teachers of truth!

To a Concordia porch! To a seminary wall!

To church work formation — come one and come all!”

As prayers that before the storms of life fly,

Our prayers for workers are also lifted on high.

So to the Synod website many resources flew

With wonderful helps — for our districts too!

For circuits and schools, there is living proof

That recruitment happens even at the convention booth.

As I worried in my head, “In tuition we’ll drown,”

Down came the cost from the schools to astound.

Nebraska, Wisconsin, their horns I will toot,

With Irvine, Chicago and St. Paul to boot.

A bundle of programs these Concordias don’t lack,

Our church worker numbers are fast coming back!

My eyes — how they twinkle at partners salutary;

There’s CPH, LWML and more to make merry!

Districts and schools and KFUO,

Christ Academy, Higher Things and Vocatio!

Youth Ministry, Concordia Plans, ed execs, Colloquy

All working together in sweet harmony.

We’re working as one with a fire in our belly,

We’ve learned so much from our pilot groups — really!

And so, if you ask, “Is this a ‘program’ we’ll shelve?”

I’ll smile when I hear this, in spite of myself.

This is not just a program, so put that thought to bed.

Raising up church workers is a never-ending thread.

And so, with God’s Word, let’s get straight to work

To fill pulpits and classrooms — we never will shirk!

We’ll continue forming church workers, so that everyone knows

That babe in the manger — He died and He rose!

As St. Paul proclaims in words clear as crystal,

“Faith comes from hearing” — in his Romans epistle.

May we long hear the Word from workers serving with delight:

“Merry Christmas to all! Christ has made all things right!”

— Rev. Dr. James Baneck

Posted Dec. 15, 2025