Page 2 - Summer Cardinal Connection FINAL

A Message from
President Joel Petermann
Have you ever been in the minority? I just returned from Korea and
China and had my first experience of feeling in the minority in a
culture that wasn’t my own. I couldn’t speak the language. I looked
different than most. I wasn’t very good at using chopsticks (though
I got better). I was in the minority once before when I attended an
area Lutheran high school. I was one of only a few who were plan-
ning to go into the public ministry. I felt odd. There wasn’t a lot of
support. That’s not a knock against our great area Lutheran high schools. It’s just a fact
that the majority are going a different direction there.

That’s why our prep schools are still so valuable. At the prep school those going into
the ministry are usually in the majority. There is constant encouragement and support
toward this goal. You don’t feel alone and odd since most of your friends have the same
goals. It’s just a different atmosphere. In fact, for many, it’s an atmosphere that changes
the course of their lives as they are redirected from other goals to the goal of the public
ministry by their peers and professors.

I know some at our prep schools don’t go on to be public ministers as perhaps also some
of you who are reading this. But you have an understanding of the public ministry from
your experience at MLS or another prep school. I hope and pray you appreciate the great
value in the experience you had. I pray that you will continue to support the system that
still encourages and sends more pastors into our congregations than any other. It is a
SUMMER 2017
blessing from the Lord.
Cardinal Connection is
published by Michigan Lutheran
Seminary and distributed free In the world of church bodies our system of training for ministry is in the minority. But
of charge to the school’s alumni it is worth supporting and keeping. May the Lord grant us that continued goal for the
and friends.
sake of his church and his ministry.
Chief Editor
MLS President
Rev. Joel V. Petermann
jvp@mlsem.org

Editorial Assistant
Laurie A. Starr Joel V. Petermann
las@mlsem.org
Graphic Design
Michael D. Priebe
mdp@mlsem.org
Direct all correspondence,
letters, news, corrections,
and comments to:
Cardinal Connection
2777 Hardin Street
Saginaw, MI 48602-3795
(989) 793-1010
Fax: (989) 793-4213
www.mlsem.org
e-mail: info@mlsem.org

About the cover
MLS Class of 2017 graduates Jessie Amstein (left) and Amber Crowl are all
smiles following their graduation service on May 27, 2017.
Both Jessie and Amber will be heading to MLC in the fall.