Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, invites all prospective students, college age or older, and their guests to attend Institute on the Ministry 2004. This structured visitation opportunity will take place Thursday, March 11, through Saturday, March 13, on the Seminary campus. It is designed to give participants a greater familiarity with the Concordia Seminary community and the preparation needed for entrance into the pastoral ministry of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.

Institute participants will attend Seminary 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, fiancées and girlfriends are especially encouraged to attend this event and to participate in the special bus tour of the area on Friday 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 who are just beginning to consider the opportunity to serve our Lord as a pastor, missionary or chaplain," commented Rev. Glen Thomas, vice president for seminary relations at Concordia Seminary. "Others have already made application and have been accepted. Our goal is to provide for our guests as much helpful information as is possible over the course of the event and to answer questions they may have."

The Institute begins with registration Thursday afternoon, March 11. Formal activities associated with the event will conclude on Saturday, March 13, 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 and from Concordia Seminary if needed.

To register for this event or to receive additional information, call the 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/institut.htm). A brochure and registration form for the event are also available online at www.csl.edu/InstituteBrochure.pdf.