1. Church Vocations Symposium
2. Discernment Retreats 
3. Funds to visit seminaries
4. Visiting Minister in Residence
5. Mentor Programs
6. Student led projects 

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1. Church Vocations Symposium: Every other Tuesday evening students interested in church vocations gather for fellowship and the opportunity to reflect on what it means to be called to serve in the church. The fellowship is often enhanced by a common meal which students take turns preparing. The programs after the meal allow interested faculty, guests and sometimes students themselves to offer insight, wisdom and humor.

For the Church Vocations Symposium schedule, see 
http://www.valpo.edu/theology/ccv/symposium.html

For more information about the symposium, please contact 
Dr. David Weber at david.weber@valpo.edu or x6821

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2. Discernment Retreats: The program funds two retreats each year (one for entry level students, one for advanced students). These retreats, which provide an opportunity to discern one's call to ministry, are designed to supplement the general retreats sponsored each semester by the Center for Church Vocations.

Each spring, senior church vocation students gather at Lindenwood Retreat Center.  There they  discuss the hopes and fears of making a transition from one community to another and simply spend time reminiscing and saying farewell.

Residents of the Fellowship House gather at Lindenwood Retreat Center before classes begin each August. Led by Dr. Steven Driver, the retreat provides opportunities to foster community, discuss vocation and plan activities for the coming year.

For more information, please contact Dr. Steven Driver at steve.driver@valpo.edu or x5470.

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3. Funds to visit seminaries: Funds (up to $250) are provided to underwrite the travel and lodging costs of any students who wish to visit any seminary. The visit must be part of a structured "visit day." Simply choosing to travel on one's own will not qualify. There is no deadline for the program, but application for travel support should be made in advance of the planned trip, so that students may be assured the event qualifies for support. Applications should include
· the name of the event
· the school
· the dates
· a reasonably detailed budget.
Preference will be given to students traveling in groups and to applications from Seniors and Juniors. Applications, as well as requests for additional information, should be addressed to the Director of the Center for Church Vocations, Dr David Truemper.

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4. Visiting Minister in Residence: Each semester an experienced, insightful, and creative pastor, church musician, or other full-time professional is invited to campus. The minister resides on campus for seven to ten days. During that time, he or she will speak about ministry in at least one chapel service, address the church vocations symposium, and spend informal time with students and faculty. We hope that this program will expose students interested in church vocations to examples of creative people working in the church. We also hope that the minister in residence will take this opportunity as an occasion for personal and intellectual refreshment. This program will also strengthen the visiting minister's ability to inform high school students in his or her congregation and wider circle about the benefits of studying at a church-related college or university. 

To apply to be a minister in residence, please submit your vita and an application of no more than two pages expressing what you might contribute to the formation of church vocations students to Dr. Steven Driver. For more information, you may contact Steve at steve.driver@valpo.edu or (219) 464-5470.

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5. Mentor Program: This program places church vocations students in direct relationships with capable and compassionate ministers and lay leaders. The students meet regularly with their mentors in order to get a taste of what it means to serve and to reflect on that experience. While the nature of the mentoring relationship will depend upon the type of ministry and the people involved, each relationship will allow students to experience many facets of a particular ministry and to reflect on his or her calling to that ministry. The program provides a small stipend to the mentor and funds to underwrite various activities, such as meals, day-trips, etc.

For information about becoming a mentor or to request one, please contact

Dr. Lisa Driver (lisa.driver@valpo.edu)
Director of the mentoring program and assistant professor of theology

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6. Student led projects: In order to encourage fellowship and promote leadership, the program provides small grants to fund student-led programs, such as theological study groups or devotional circles. The various settings in which they gather provide opportunities for students to share who they are and what they hope to be and to form friendships that last long beyond their years at VU. The unique mix of LCMS and ELCA students also allows for dialogue that is sometimes difficult to achieve in other venues.