by D. Jensen Seyenkulo
Th.M. Class of 1992, Ph.D. Class of 1999

My wife and I took seriously the decision involving the institution at which I would do my graduate work. The scholarship offer came from the ELCA in late 1990. Following a brief celebration of the scholarship offer, we immediately shifted into prayer mode for discernment. Among the eight ELCA seminaries we limited our choices to those in the Midwest. The more we prayed and searched, it became clear to us that LSTC was the right fit for me.

I had done some graduate work at Luther Seminary in the mid 1980s. Those were very good years. But during those years at Luther I took advantage of every opportunity to visit LSTC. It was during those visits that I became acquainted with the graduate studies program and fell in love with the New Testament department. Besides the fact that they had a strong faculty I learned that what LSTC had to offer was almost limitless. Students enrolled at LSTC, for example, did not only have the school's fine faculty at their disposal, they could do courses at any of the other seminaries in the consortium of theological schools.

That played a strong role in my decision. Stronger yet was the fact that graduate students enrolled at LSTC were required to do courses at the University of Chicago where one of my heroes taught. I had admired Professor Hans Dieter Betz for years before I entered the United States... 

 

 Read the rest of Jensen's story.

 

by Ralph W. Klein

Christ Seminary-Seminex Professor of Old Testament, Emeritus
 

There are more than 300 books from the 15th to 18th centuries in the LSTC Rare Book Collections, with the vast majority coming from the holdings of L. Franklin Gruber (1870-1941), the former president of the Maywood seminary.

 

The works fall into the following categories: works written by Luther himself (about 80) and original copies of several of his letters; copies of Luther's Bible translations from 1522-1534; works, including original letters, by Phillip Melanchthon; other Reformation era documents; Lutheran confessions of the 16th century; pre-Reformation Bibles; and English Bibles of the 16th and 17th centuries.  In addition, there are fourteen Greek New Testament manuscripts from the 9th to the 13th centuries.

 

 

While the campaign is addressing these concerns  on a broad and sustainable basis by raising endowed funds for scholarships, this summer we will be asking alumni/ae and congregations to make a special gift  to help our students now,  as they continue their training at LSTC.

This "Next Step" appeal will provide a small scholarship for each student who has successfully completed the first year of an M.A. or M.Div. degree.  Our hope is that this extra scholarship will encourage students to stay on track to graduation. We also will be reaching out to all of the home congregations of returning students, asking them  to provide financial support  to the son or daughter of their congregation preparing  for ministry. 

We give thanks for all those who support LSTC and our students as we continue to Equip the Saints for Ministry for the building up of the body of Christ.  

 

Adam Wilhelm

Director for Advancement

 

 

 

Each year LSTC honors four to six alumni who have distinguished themselves in faithful service to the Gospel and to the body of Christ. Nominees may be at any point in their careers.

 

 

Suggested award categories are:
Unsung hero, Global Mission, Evangelism,  Leadership in Churchwide-Synod-or-Agency, Excellence in Education,  Ecumenical Leadership,
Parish Ministry, Mission Development

New categories are welcome.
Download the Nomination form.