The STM program and the courses that make up the program are designed for pastors—for their spiritual and professional growth. At some venues, pastors can audit STM classes, but pastors gain more when they complete the assignments and receive feedback from their instructor.

We are thankful for the participation of pastors in the STM courses and in the program:

In a two-year cycle of STM course offerings about 500 pastors will participate.

Of those 500, about 200 pastors will take at least one course for credit.

At our graduation service last month, 9 pastors received their STM degree—a record for the program! After the graduation of those nine, the number of STM students in the program stands at 35. We would like to see that number rise to 50 or 60.

What makes a pastor a good candidate for the STM program? If you like formal continuing education, if you have already taken more than a few courses for credit, if you would like to grow in one of the nine focus areas of the STM program, if you can see how taking those courses would better equip you for serving God’s people, then you are a good candidate for pursuing the degree.

What happens if you decide to join the program? You will be assigned a faculty advisor who will keep you informed about upcoming STM courses as well as guided research and thesis options. Grow in Grace plans courses that will serve the needs of all our pastors, but special consideration is given to serving those who are officially in the program.

If you would like to know more about pursuing the STM degree, feel free to reach out to the Grow in Grace director at Brad.Wordell@wls.edu.

Congratulations to the STM graduates: Justin Dauck, Jonathan Fischer, Patrick Freese, Daniel Iwinski, Matthew Langebartels, Nathan Nass, Daniel Olson, Keith Schleis, and Timothy Wagner!