Registration began on March 1 for the ninth annual Exploring Church Careers Event (ECCE) and Exploring the Pastoral Ministry (EPM). The ECCE will be offered Aug. 4-7, and the EPM will be offered for young men in high school Aug. 7-10. Both events take place on the campus of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.

The two events are designed to identify, inform and encourage youth with respect to church work vocations. They will include Bible study, on-site visitation opportunities with those serving in the featured work vocations and opportunities for youth to gain college and seminary information pertaining to each of the featured vocations. While the ECCE will include information regarding a wide variety of church work vocations, the EPM will focus exclusively on the pastoral ministry. The EPM will allow participants the opportunity to study theology with Seminary professors, worship with the Seminary community, hear pastors discuss the joys and challenges of the pastoral ministry, take part in a Servant Event and attend a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game.

Publicity posters with response cards for the ECCE and EPM were sent out in September 2006 to all Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) pastors, youth directors, directors of Christian education, high school principals, high school teachers and guidance counselors. Registration is limited to high school youth entering 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grade. Twelfth graders who will graduate in the spring of 2007 are not eligible. Those who attended a previous ECCE will not be eligible to attend ECCE 2007 so that the largest number of youth possible are able attend this event over the years. However, those who have attended a previous ECCE or EPM are able to attend this year’s EPM.

“While all Christians serve God in their various vocations, we want youth to hear of the inherent joys and challenges they will face if they serve in church work vocations,” said Dr. Wally Becker, director of student services at Concordia Seminary. “I hope pastors, educators, parents and many others in our church will take advantage of the opportunity to nominate young people for these events.”

A $70 registration fee to attend the ECCE or the EPM is the only charge for youth, in addition to travel costs. For those who wish to attend both events, the registration fee is $140. All activities, meals during the event and on-campus lodging are provided at no cost to participants. Travel assistance is available to ensure that travel costs do not prevent youth from attending. ECCE registration is limited to 80 high school youth, and the EPM is limited to 50.

For more information on the ECCE or the EPM, or to request a registration form, contact the Admissions Office, Concordia Seminary, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO 63105; ECCE@csl.edu. To register online, visit the Seminary’s Web site at https://stg.csl.matchbox.host/Admissions_HighSchoolYouth_YouthEvents.aspx.