A History of the Vicar Program at St. Peter Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church

Abstract

Clint Burow’s essay documents the extensive history of the vicar program at St. Peter Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church in Savanna and Mt. Carroll, Illinois. Since 1962, these congregations have hosted 37 vicars, contributing significantly to pastoral training in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). The paper highlights the transition from voluntary part-time vicars to the formalized third-year vicarship instituted in 1965. Special attention is given to Pastor Wayne Schneider, who supervised 29 vicars from 1974 to 2004, fostering growth through mentorship and informal guidance. The essay details the vicars’ responsibilities, including preaching, youth ministry, radio devotions, and outreach through the Jesus Cares program. Personal anecdotes and reflections from former vicars illustrate the program’s impact. Burow concludes by recognizing the congregations’ dedication to ministerial education and their lasting influence on pastors serving across the globe. —Abstract generated by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4)