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Church Work Programs

More than a Job. A Calling.

Study at Concordia University, St. Paul and discover the many ways God can use you to make a positive impact wherever you are called to serve. CSP is uniquely positioned to give you a higher education experience you won’t find anywhere else. We are a small, tight-knit campus community in the heart of the Twin Cities. Christian faith is an integral part of who we are, set within a campus that welcomes students of all backgrounds. There’s no better place to become equipped for serving Christ than on a campus that reflects the world around us.

Learn more about CSP’s church $6000 work tuition guarantee

    • CSP Features Engaging LCMS Theology Faculty Steeped in Lutheran Doctrine and Practice:

      • With recognized and respected theological expertise; ongoing contributions to the professional knowledge base; and active engagement in communicating the Gospel across cultures, races, and faith traditions.

      CSP Equips Christian Undergraduate, Professional, and Graduate Students to be Compassionate Servant-Leaders in our Global Context:

      • By integrating Lutheran faith into learning; providing ongoing opportunities for students to connect faith, learning, and life together; and engaging in intentional service-learning opportunities, mission conferences, and retreats focused on Christian vocation and service.

      CSP Prepares Church Workers for Ministry in the 21st Century:

      • To serve multigenerational, multiracial, multi-socioeconomic congregations in urban, suburban, and rural settings; leading with a mission-minded, global mindset; and using technology to meet ministry needs in ever-changing times.

      CSP Vigorously Makes Known the Love of Christ within our Churches, Communities, and the World:

      • By offering resources for enriching congregations through The Center for Biblical Studies; sharing the Gospel in the community through the Solus Christus Program; featuring premier speakers at annual events (e.g. Reformation Lecture, Poehler Lecture, Hoffmann Lecture); and coordinating partnerships in support of ethnic and immigrant ministries.

      CSP Offers the Best Value as a Christ-Centered Lutheran University:

100 %

Placement rate within six months of graduation (geographically mobile grads)

$6,000/$0

Total max out of pocket tuition cost per academic year for those eligible

Explore CSP's Church Work Tuition Guarantee
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It Takes the Church to Raise Up Church Workers

Together we can recruit, ignite, and equip the next generation.

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Church Work Programs Offered at CSP

  • Serving as a Director of Christian Education (DCE) means you’ll work with a pastor on the vision and leadership for your congregation’s educational ministry, including Sunday School, Bible classes, Vacation Bible School, outdoor ministry, parish education and more.

    When you study to be a DCE at CSP, you’ll major in Christian Ministry with a Lutheran Theology minor and a specialized DCE track. You’ll gain a strong foundation of Lutheran theology as the basis for your teachings, and the educational theory and practice you’ll need in order to reach people.

  • Directors of Christian Outreach (DCO) are critical to an outreach-oriented ministry team. They work locally and abroad to spread the Gospel to new members, often crossing cultural boundaries to build relationships. DCOs also work within congregations to support parishioners and the mission of the church.

    Since outreach work frequently means connecting with people from different backgrounds than you, there’s no better place to study than CSP, an urban, multicultural institution. Here, you’ll be immersed in field work, internships and service-learning opportunities that give you the real practice you need to be comfortable and successful as a DCO.

  • If you’re musically driven and also want to serve a congregation the Director of Parish Music (DPM) program is right for you. Direct your church’s music program and provide leadership for choirs, ensembles and soloists while working with your pastor to prepare and lead music for congregational worship services.

    You’ll study under some of the most experienced faculty in the field – highly awarded musicians and experts in liturgical worship. To become a DPM, you’ll bridge your passion for music with love for the church as a Church Music major and Lutheran theology minor.

  • Lutheran Classroom Teachers (LCT) have a passion for integrating faith into teaching. Their vocation helps students reach their potential while preparing for a life of service to the Church and world.

    Concordia’s LCT program makes you eligible for a Minnesota teaching license, meaning you’ll have job opportunities in both public and private schools. You can focus your teaching in a wide variety of areas, from pre-K to high school, arts to science. CSP’s convenient location means you’ll have the opportunity to student teach at urban, suburban or rural private schools, whatever best fits you interests.

  • Pre-Deaconess students plan to continue their training at seminary as they learn to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through works of mercy, spiritual care, and teaching the Christian faith.

    Being a pre-deaconess student at CSP means you’ll major in any subject of your choosing and complete a Lutheran theology minor. Our staff will work with you to put together a plan of study to prepare you for seminary admissions and give you the tools you need to start your calling.

  • Students in the Pre-Pastoral Program intend to enter seminary to become pastors after they graduate from CSP.

    As a pre-seminary student at CSP, you can major in any subject of your choosing and also fulfill coursework that ensures you are prepared to enter seminary. You’ll develop close relationships with our expert faculty, who are pastors, theologians, urban outreach specialists and academics.

Church Work Tuition Guarantee

Eligible students pay no more than $6k tuition per year
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$0 Pre-Seminary Tuition

You'll pay nothing in tuition and fees at CSP.
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My experience at Concordia has been one of growth – in my knowledge of the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confession, my outlook on the Christian message within the broader community, and the importance of the Lutheran Confession to the world at large and even the broader Christian community.

Josef Muench '17 - Pre-Seminary

Church Work Faculty

Concordia St. Paul’s church work faculty all have advanced degrees and are some of the nation’s leading experts in urban ministry, Christian education, theology, Christian leadership and more.

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