"Dave, go. Otherwise you'll always have it hanging over your head."

I was visiting with Dorothy in her hospital room, a room she had occupied so many times they could have given her a permanent name plate. As her small, delicate frame sat propped under the covers and with the IV dripping its life, Dorothy and I had had many long conversations about sickness, peace with God, and the need of the world for Jesus. Dorothy had been my Sunday School teacher when I was a little boy. Now I was her pastor.

On this visit she became my teacher again. I had just asked her a serious question. "Dorothy, I'm thinking about leaving the church and going to seminary. What do you think?" After all of the many hours I had spent visiting her, I was sure that she would give me the answer I wanted to hear. But instead of telling me not to leave, she summoned her strength, sat bolt upright, and said with powerful conviction, "Dave, go. Otherwise you'll always have it hanging over your head."

Through Dorothy and many others in my home congregation, God called me and sent me into the ministry.

Who is there in your congregation that you could be calling and sending?

• A grade school child who has already heard the call of God?
• A high school or college student with ministry gifts such as speaking, caring, leading, or evangelizing?
• An adult whose ability to teach the word makes you think, "That person should be in the ministry"?

When you are ready to send them, will you have a scholarship fund with sufficient resources to pay their tuition? At today's rates, tuition costs on average more than $1000 for each year that a pastor is in the ministry. Setting aside $100 per month in a scholarship fund is a wise investment for any congregation.

I'll always be grateful to people like Dorothy, Marion, Harold, Vern, Ruth, Howard, Orv and many others who encouraged me to go to seminary and who paid all of my tuition. You, too, can have a part in calling and sending someone into the ministry. Who knows? Your future pastor may already be attending your church.

Dr. David Veum is President of Lutheran Brethren Seminary in Fergus Falls, Minnesota