Registration materials for the 2002 Institute on the Ministry to be held at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis were mailed this week to prospective students on the Seminary's mailing list. The Institute will take place Thursday, March 7, through Saturday, March 9, on the Seminary campus. All prospective students, college age or older, and their guests are invited to attend this event designed to give them greater familiarity with the Concordia Seminary community and the preparation which leads to service in the pastoral ministry of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.

"We anticipate a large attendance at this year's Institute," commented Rev. Glen Thomas, vice president for seminary relations at Concordia Seminary. "We experienced record attendance at the two previous structured visitation events this past year, the Fall Visit Weekend in October and the Shepherds of God's Flock Retreat in January."

Institute participants will attend classes, worship with the Seminary community in The Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus, tour the campus, meet students and professors and hear presentations on academic offerings, financial assistance, housing, resident field education, vicarage and the admission process.

Wives, fiancees, and girlfriends are especially encouraged to participate in the special bus tour of the area on Friday afternoon and the Women's Information Session on Saturday morning. Past participants have indicated that the Institute was extremely helpful for them in the overall decision-making process.

"Many come to the Institute and are just beginning to consider the opportunity to serve our Lord as a pastor, missionary or chaplain," commented Thomas. "Others have already made application and plan to enroll. Our goal is to provide for our guests as much helpful information as is possible and to answer questions they may have. They are always struck by the high-caliber preparation and excellent support services that exist in this Seminary community."

The Institute begins with registration Thursday afternoon, March 7. Formal activities associated with the event will conclude on Saturday, March 9, at noon with brunch. There is no charge to attend the Institute, and all meals and lodging will be provided free of charge. Those arriving by airplane, bus or train, will be provided transportation to Concordia Seminary from the airport, bus station or train station, and from the Seminary to these sites upon completion of the Institute.

To register for this event or to receive additional information, call the Seminary's Admissions Office at 1-800-822-9545 or e-mail at admissions@csl.edu. More specific information, including a registration form, is available in the Admissions Office section of the Seminary's Web site (www.csl.edu).