Publication Date
4-14-2025
Description
In this episode, former hosts Rev. Tom Schlund and Kati Gaschler are joined by admissions officer Rev. Joel Heckmann. Heckmann shares about adjusting to life in St. Louis. He also gives some insight into his decision to become a student at the Seminary. "It turned from 'No one's pushing me to this,' to 'No one's pushing me to this and I still want to do it.' And that became a confidence builder. It's great when you have people guiding you and directing you that way, but that's not necessarily something you have to have. I figured I'm not doing this just because someone else is telling me to do it. I think this is where my desires, my skills and my joys come together."
In addition to sharing a bit about his parish experience, Heckmann gives an inside look to the admissions office and his job as an admissions officer, including having conversations with potential students, working with National Lutheran Outdoor Ministry Association (NLOMA) camps and connecting with Hispanic clergy. He also shares advice for those discerning their path to ministry. "Don't necessarily look for a lightbulb moment or for something to click. If you feel like this is what God has gifted you to do and called you to do, and you have conversations and experiences and nothing is hindering you, go for it!"
Want to learn more about vocational ministry? Start a conversation with our admissions team at Request-Information Learn more about Concordia Seminary at csl.edu or by contacting the admissions team at [email protected] or 800-822-9545. “Under the Fig Tree” is a video and audio podcast of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.
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Submission Type
Podcast
Submission Audience
Laity; Ministers; Future Seminarians; Future Deaconesses
Submission Cost
Free
Recommended Citation
Schlund, Tom; Gaschler, Kati; and Heckmann, Joel, "05-08 Under the Fig Tree: Meet admissions officer Rev. Joel Heckmann" (2025). Under the Fig Tree. 95.
https://scholar.csl.edu/utf/95
