HISTORY

The History of Lay School

The Constitution of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America affirms the universal priesthood of all its baptized members. Ordained clergy have a unique call to a ministry of Word and Sacrament that also asks them to lead, guide, and equip laity for greater involvement in shared ministry to the world.

The program of Lay Ministry was organized and instituted under the direction of former Bishop John Beem, of the East Central Synod of Wisconsin of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, to prepare theologically and biblically articulate laypersons for ministry in their daily lives.

The Eastern Lay School of Ministry was established in September 1996 and met in the Fox Valley Area. The Central Wisconsin School of Lay Ministry was established in September 1999 and met in Wausau. In September 2020, the Lay School of Ministry restructured into one school for the East Central Synod of Wisconsin with two satellite locations.  

The school continues to equip and empower adult lay persons in the fulfillment of their callings to serve Christ.  It provides an opportunity to experience adult education through in-depth study of the Bible, church history, faith formation and timely topics worth pondering today.