Megadeth Guitarist David Ellefson Studying to Be a Lutheran Pastor

(NewsCore) - Megadeth guitarist David Ellefson is answering a higher calling and studying to be a Lutheran minister.

The heavy metal rocker is taking theological classes online through Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Mo., and is planning to keep up with his homework when he joins his band on tour with Motorhead, which kicks off in New Jersey next week.

Ellefson's degree through the seminary's Specific Ministry Program is expected to take two years, when he will then be eligible for ordination in the Lutheran Church.

"Most people want to be a rock star," Ellefson's pastor Jon Bjorgaard told the St. Louis Dispatch. "David's a rock star who wants to become a pastor."

Ellefson grew up in a Lutheran church in Minnesota and rekindled his faith in 1990, during a 12-step program to recover from alcohol abuse.

The 47-year-old now takes part in the music ministry at his church in Scottsdale, Ariz., where he started a contemporary worship service for younger congregants.

"For a Christmas service, I remixed some classics, not quite in a Megadeth fashion, but in a pretty heavy rock fashion," Ellefson said.

"Some people want to morph things together into one," he said, "but I have a hand in both worlds. I love praise and worship music, and I love heavy metal."

Read more: STLToday.com