The Seminary Chorus at Amazing Grace Lutheran
The news is out: The Seminary Chorus from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary is going to present a concert at our church on April 19th at 7:00 PM. The 50 men and their director will be arriving at about 4: 30 PM on Tuesday to set up equipment and share a meal prepared by our members. The chorus will stay overnight at homes in our congregation and board their coach to travel to their next concert in the morning.
What can we tell you about the Seminary Chorus? Well, the choir has been making music since 1931 and has presented concerts in almost every state of the Union. Its objective has always been to proclaim God’s good news in music, and it does this in a variety of musical styles, old and new. We’ll hear voices; wait till you hear 50 future pastors singing their hearts out! We’ll also hear instruments: everything from organ and trumpets to piano and guitars. We’ll have a chance to stand and sing along on several numbers. The choir’s reputation is that its concerts are never dull!
The concert will last about an hour and fifteen minutes, and we’ll have a chance to visit with the young men afterwards. There’s no admission cost, although the choir will be thankful for a generous offering to offset expenses. Be sure to bring your whole family; children love to see the choir as well as hear it, so sit close to the front. Invite your friends and neighbors, too. We’re sure they will enjoy the experience, and you can introduce them to our church at the same time.
The choir members are coming to our church not only to sing for us, but also to tell us about the school they attend, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. The seminary was founded just before the Battle of Gettysburg, way back in 1863, and ever since has been training men to be pastors in WELS congregations. The seminary is located in Mequon, a suburb of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but its graduates are serving congregations and missions all around the country and all over the world. Our pastor, Pastor Benjamin Zahn, is a graduate of the seminary, class of 2006. You can learn more about the seminary at its website, www.wls.wels.net.
As we would expect, the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary takes its work of training pastors seriously. Every year it strives to train men to be:
- Confessional – who learn to put integrity above popularity and preach and teach “what is in accord with sound doctrine.”
- Evangelical – who have a gospel-centered approach to ministry and a love for souls entrusted to their care.
- Mission-minded – who have a Christ-like heart for those who are still lost.
- Culturally sensitive – who do not put barriers between themselves and the cultures they are called to serve.
- Appropriately flexible – who remain committed to the Scriptures but understand that where God has not commanded or forbidden, some things may or must change for the sake of the gospel.
- Zealous to nurture and equip the saints – who are eager to serve alongside brothers and sisters in Christ who strive to be partners in the gospel.
So that tells you something about Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and the Seminary Chorus. Come to the concert and learn much more!