Commissioned Minister
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod recognizes two
classifications of “Minister of the Gospel” – Ordained and Commissioned.
Ordained Ministers would commonly be referred to and recognized as “Pastor.” Commissioned Ministers would commonly be referred to and recognized as “Teacher” or other form of minister, such as Director of Music, Director of Christian Education, Director of Christian Outreach, and so forth.
Ordained Ministers would commonly be referred to and recognized as “Pastor.” Commissioned Ministers would commonly be referred to and recognized as “Teacher” or other form of minister, such as Director of Music, Director of Christian Education, Director of Christian Outreach, and so forth.
Service to the local Church:
Arlene (Bunny) graduated from Concordia Teachers College, River Forest, Illinois in May, 1970 with a BA in Education. She was also eligible to accept a Divine Call – an opportunity to serve in ministry at a congregation or entity of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. She accepted the Divine Call to serve as Fourth Grade teacher of Zion Lutheran School, Hinsdale, IL. After her husband completed his degree at Concordia, she was offered and accepted the Divine Call to serve as Teacher of grades 1-4, and Coach of St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, New Minden, IL on July 15, 1971. After the birth of her son, Richard, in 1972 she accepted the Divine Call to be Teacher of Grades 3-4 of Trinity Lutheran School, Hoyleton, IL. In 1975 she was accepted the Divine Call to be Teacher of Grades 1-2 at Trinity Lutheran School, Hoffman, IL. In 1976 she accepted the Divine Call to be Teacher of Kindergarten – a new position – of Trinity Lutheran School, Hoffman, IL. In 1977 she accepted a Divine Call to serve as Early Childhood Director for Trinity Lutheran School, Horse Prairie (red Bud). IL. As Director she began and grew Prairie Preschool from a modest enrollment of a few students to a thriving program with over 100 students. In 1981 she accepted the Divine Call to be Teacher of Preschool Children of St. Paul Lutheran School, Wichita Falls, TX. She once again built a thriving program of outreach and nurture for the children of Wichita Falls. While living in Wichita Falls she earned a MEd with an emphasis in Reading Instruction from Midwestern State University, May 10, 1986. In 1987 she moved to Sebewaing, Michigan. She started the Preschool program for Immanuel Lutheran School in 1987, building it form a non-existent program to a successful program that is still viable today. From 1989 – 1997 she served in many positions at Immanuel Lutheran School, Sebewaing, MI: Kindergarten Teacher, Grade 3 Teacher, Grades 2-3 Teacher, Grade 2 Teacher and Principal. In 1997 she accepted the Divine Call to institute an Early Childhood Program for St. Luke’s Lutheran School, St. Louis, MO. She instituted the program and helped transition the school from a school of 35 students to a healthy one with over 135 students in a year-round school year. When the Principal retired she accepted the Divine Call to be Principal of St. Luke’s Lutheran School. On August 1, 2004 she resigned her position at St. Luke’s. She died on August 24, 2004 after a 13-year battle with cancer. An interesting note: In 1970 women were not considered as Ministers of the Gospel for The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. They were eligible for a Divine Call, but could not be members of Synod. During the 1970’s a movement began that culminated in women receiving the right to be called Ministers of the Gospel – Commissioned and as such sign the constitution of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and becoming an official member with all of the rights and privileges thereunto appertaining. Women were often discouraged to become members of the LCMS if they were married to a Minister of the Gospel – Commissioned due to tax disadvantages of both workers considered self-employed. Since Bunny’s husband was a Minister of the Gospel – Commissioned she was counseled not to join the Synod. Her response was, “I earned it just as much as he did.” Thus she petitioned to be a members of the LCMS and sign the constitution at the earliest opportunity. That opportunity came at the convening of the Southern Illinois District – LCMS in 1974 (or 1977). (District Conventions were the customary route to sign the Synodical Constitution.) Since the Southern Illinois District held its convention earlier that any other district that had women applying to sign the constitution and since her last name began with “C” – early in the alphabet – Bunny became either the first or one of the first woman to sign the constitution of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and become a Minister of the Gospel – Commissioned. |
Service to the Church-at-Large:
As a Minister of the Gospel – Commissioned, Bunny was eligible to serve the church at large as she was elected and appointed to various district positions. As such she was:
She also served her local church in various roles as a volunteer or leader in:
She also gave freely of her time and talent as she baked goods for numerous organizations and individuals – from funeral dinners to community cookie sales, Bunny was an outstanding baker who generously donated her talents for the Kingdom. |
Portraits
Over the years Bunny has had many school portraits made. Classroom pictures also abounded
Classroom Life
Life Happens
