‘Set Apart to Serve’ is here to stay

The Rev. Dr. James Baneck (standing), executive director of the LCMS Office of Pastoral Education, meets with attendees at the Set Apart to Serve pilot program launch held Feb. 28–March 1, 2023, in St. Louis. The initiative was launched in 2019. (LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)

By James Baneck

Set Apart to Serve (SAS) fosters a church work formation and recruitment culture that is growing and permeating every family, congregation, school, circuit, district, Concordia university, seminary and entity of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). It is a culture of raising up boys, girls, men and women to preach, teach and share the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ in a full-time church work vocation.

In November 2024, the SAS leadership team developed one- and five-year strategic plans for SAS. These plans are the result of SAS’ progress since 2019, collaboration across the Synod, prioritization of areas of development, and marketing and communications strategies moving forward. The five-year plan takes the goals of the one-year plan and carries them even further.

2025–2026 goals

Increase the number of districts that have an SAS working group/ committee (and help them understand why it is important for them to take an active role in SAS).

Increase conversations of pastors and church workers with youth and potential second-career church workers.

Increase the number of LCMS principals and schools using the Concordia Publishing House (CPH) SAS curriculum and SAS resources. Also, increase the interest in and applications for teacher colloquy.

Increase the number of congregations and lay leaders that have intentional church work recruitment emphases and plans.

Encourage the perception of church work vocations among parents and youth as sacred, honorable and joyful.

See increased interest and enrollment in church work programs at the Synod’s Concordia universities and seminaries.

Develop plans for the ongoing culture and leadership of SAS so it continues until the Lord returns.

2026–2030 goals

See all LCMS districts have an ownership stake in SAS.

Help the church — especially pastors and teachers — see church work vocations as favorable, sacred and honorable vocations to pursue.

See all LCMS principals and schools use CPH’s SAS curriculum and provide feedback on the curriculum. Also, significantly increase the number of rostered LCMS teachers.

See all LCMS congregations and lay leaders fully incorporate SAS into the day-to-day focus, life and practice of the congregation.

See parents and youth view church work vocations as a favorable vocational choice and initiate conversations to encourage youth to consider pursuing a church work vocation.

See significant increased church work enrollment at our Concordia universities and seminaries year after year.

Sharpen and execute plans for the ongoing culture and leadership of SAS so it continues until the Lord returns.

The SAS leadership team is working on assigning numbers and percentages to these goals. Each goal includes key performance indicators and specific actions. Building this SAS culture takes the determination, passion, effort and patience of everyone. Where do you see yourself fitting into this work?

To find out more about SAS and its resources, visit lcms.org/sas.

Posted Feb. 3, 2025