| dc.description.abstract | The Area Lutheran High Schools of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod are ripe fields
for ministry recruitment. According to surveys in three ALHSs, 31.28% of the WELS member
students have at least considered a career in ministry. Yet, over the past 10 years, only 10.4% of
ALHS WELS member students have gone on to Martin Luther College, including only 8.1% in
the surveyed schools. There is tremendous opportunity at a time of great need. This thesis is a
research study of 20 high schools which uses a “convergent mixed methods” research design. It
employs statistics, multiple in-depth surveys at MLC, WLS, and 3 ALHSs, 10 interviews, some
ethnography, and more to examine what successfully recruits students from these schools. This
study reveals several factors ALHS faculty and other gospel ministers can consider and apply to
impact recruitment in meaningful ways. Overall, the study discovers successful ALHS ministry
recruitment to be a group effort centered around passionate, personal, and transparent gospel
ministry. | en_US |
