Church Work Program

Christ College is the School within Concordia University that prepares professional church workers for full-time service to congregations and schools of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Since its founding, Concordia University Irvine (originally named Christ College) has remained fully committed to training future pastors, teachers, directors of Christian education, directors of parish music, and other church-work professionals for ministry. Graduates serve hundreds of Lutheran congregations and schools. Their proven excellence in service as church professionals leads Lutheran congregations, schools and other agencies around the world to seek our graduates for placement. Every year Christ College receives requests from hundreds of congregations and schools seeking to call our students to positions of ministry and leadership. We currently have graduates serving as professional church workers across the United States, in Canada and Mexico, Central and South America, Asia, Europe, Australia, and Africa.

Over 250 of Concordia University Irvine's current students are enrolled in one of Christ College's professional church work preparation programs, and the numbers keep growing! Why? Because Christ College's programs have a reputation for excellence in preparing men and women for ministry in The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

Students begin preparing for their future careers beginning their freshman year. Courses are designed to enable students to capture a vision for ministry in their selected program, while providing them the ongoing opportunity to interact with those going into other ministry areas. The professors help students to recognize their gifts from God and encourage them to maximize those gifts so that they can be used for greatest service in congregations and schools. Special programs throughout the year emphasize the joys and challenges of ministry.

If you are considering a full-time career as a Lutheran teacher, pastor, director of Christian education, or director of parish music, let Christ College, the School for professional church work development, at Concordia University Irvine, prepare you as a leader who serves a congregation and/or school within The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Develop the gifts that God has given you in a place that remains committed to sharing Christ's love and His saving Gospel with all the world. Christ College will prepare you for a lifetime of excellence in ministry.

Peace in Christ,
Rev. Dr. Steven P. Mueller
Dean, Christ College