While the seminary’s primary objective throughout its long history has been to train men to serve as
parish pastors, there has always been an effort to continue that training after graduation. Compared to the continuing education program the seminary carries out today, early efforts were meager, but the school’s heart was in the right place.

One of the early efforts was the seminary’s Pastors Institute. Introduced in the 1950s, the event invited pastors to the campus on five Monday afternoons in the fall to hear two sets of essays, each set delivered by a faculty member. Attendance hovered between thirty and fifty, and most attendees came from congregations inside an arc from Madison to Manitowoc. Faulty wives served coffee and snacks during a half-hour fellowship break.

The benefit for pastors attending the Pastors Institute was no doubt positive, but the work to research and write five essays within a span of five weeks was a heavy load for the two presenters. Some of the newer faculty members wondered whether there was a better way to do this event.

In September 1997, I attended Concordia Seminary’s Theological Symposium. Several hundred pastors of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod gathered at the two-day event for essays and workshops presented by speakers from around the synod. Attendees earned no academic credits but seemed to enjoy new insights, shared experiences, and fellowship with brothers, the latter encouraged by food and beverages served in their famous seminary Quadrangle. By the time I returned to our seminary, I was convinced—this is the better way to do Pastors Institute!

I shared my ideas with new seminary president David Valleskey, who was very willing to move forward with the idea. The basic structure was this:

• The seminary would host its Fall Symposium on a Monday and Tuesday in September.
• Students would be required to attend as part of their training.
• Pastors and retired pastors from WELS and the Evangelical Lutheran Synod would be invited.
• The symposium would have an overarching topic.
• Three essays would be presented under the chosen topic.
• Essayists would be parish pastors and professors from Martin Luther College (MLC) and Wisconsin Lutheran College.
• A faculty member would serve as an advisor for each essayist and present a formal reaction.
• A fellowship event with food and beverages would be held on Monday evening.
• A service with Holy Communion would be scheduled for Tuesday morning.

The plan was presented to the faculty’s Continuing Education Committee in the spring of 1998 and then to the faculty and staff. Not all were convinced at first. We decided on a “trial” event as part of the celebration of WELS 150th anniversary in 2000. The theme was “Forward in Christ at the Dawn of a New Millennium.” Essayists were Pastor Joel Prange, Pastor Keith Wessel, and MLC Professor Paul Wendland. President Valleskey preached at the service with music provided by the Seminary Chorus. A local catering firm supplied food and refreshments.

Over 400 attended that first event. Pastors from near and far participated, some to fellowship with classmates and some to enjoy the company of their sons. The speakers presented works of high academic quality, and reactors summarized main points. Questions from the floor were insightful. The camaraderie went long into the night. Many remarked that worship around Word and sacrament with brothers and soon-to-be brothers in ministry was the high point of the symposium.

The structure and objectives of the initial “trial” symposium have remained in place for twenty-five years. The chosen topics reflect trending issues in WELS and the world. The invited speakers approach their work seriously and display both their seminary education and their personal continuing education. Students and pastors continue to enjoy the academic challenges of the essays, the brotherly fellowship of the afterglow, and faith-strengthening worship. How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity (Psalm 133:1).

James Tiefel directed the Seminary Chorus and taught worship, preaching, and education until his retirement in 2020.