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Mission Statement
The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago forms visionary leaders to bear witness to the good news of Jesus Christ.
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Change is possible
A few months ago, I made a counter-intuitive change in my daily routine. After driving to work for almost 14 years, I began taking the train. It's counter-intuitive because I have to get up earlier, travel four miles south to go 12 miles north, and my commute takes longer and costs more than driving.
Still, I'd wanted to do this for a long time, but needed a little extra push. The push came in the spring when I learned that the cost of the train ticket could be deducted from my paycheck before taxes through the commuter benefit program.
What's my benefit? (I really don't think the pre-tax break is making up for the extra expense.) But I love that I no longer have to fight traffic, dodge distracted drivers, or circle the seminary searching for parking. Plus, I get an extra hour to read each day and I've reduced my carbon footprint.
In May, LSTC faculty, staff, and board began a process of re-envisioning the seminary so that it will be able to effectively fulfill its mission now and well into the future. We've been motivated to do this by economic challenges, but it promises to be much more than simply an effort to survive.
We don't know, yet, what the changes will be. Some may even seem counter-intuitive. Some may be difficult. But through this process, we trust that God is leading us into the future. We also trust that the way LSTC forms leaders is a valuable gift for congregations, the ELCA, the church and the world.
We invite you to travel with us on this path with your prayers, your support, and your comments.
Blessings to you as you live out your call as a visionary leader.
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You never know where you are going to end up
 by Scott Chalmers
M.A., Class of 1999
PhD., 2004
If there is one thing I've learned about being around LSTC for 15 years it is that you never know where you are going to end up. I've been an M.A. and Ph.D. student, a student worker in the Admissions Office, adjunct professor of Old Testament, Teaching and Learning Technologist, and now I'm the Director of Admissions.
In 1991, after graduating from college, I moved to Chicago and got a job at the ELCA Churchwide Offices. Until that point in my life, I had never set foot in a Lutheran church. As a matter of fact, when I interviewed for the position I had to ask, "What exactly does 'ELCA' stand for?" But after working there for several years and joining a Lutheran congregation I found myself hearing phrases and questions that began to intrigue me. What exactly were "Lutheran biblical hermeneutics?" Or for that matter, what exactly were "hermeneutics?" [ Read more ]
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News from LSTC
Alanis named director of Lutheran Seminary Program in the Southwest
The Rev. Dr. Javier "Jay" Alanis (1998, Th.M.; 2002, Ph.D.) has been named director of the Lutheran Seminary Program in the Southwest (LSPS). He has served as interim director of the program since 2009. President Stan Olson of Wartburg Theological Seminary and Acting President Phil Hougen of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) made the announcement of Alanis' appointment. LSPS is a joint program of the two seminaries. The presidents noted Dr. Alanis' strong leadership during the recent years of transition for LSPS. [Read more]
Two new books by LSTC faculty:
Satterlee's Preaching and Stewardship and Stewart's A Watered Garden
Craig A. Satterlee, Axel Jacob and Gerda Maria (Swanson) Carlson Chair of Homiletics, recently published Preaching and Stewardship: Proclaiming God's Invitation to Grow (Herndon, VA: Alban Institute, 2011. ISBN 978-1-56699-417-0, $17.00). Saterlee argues that stewardship and preaching must include a bold and concrete proclamation of God's love, will, and justice, as well as an invitation to grow as stewards in response to this proclamation. [ Read more ]
Benjamin M. Stewart, Gordon A. Braatz Assistant Professor of Worship and Dean of the Chapel, has published A Watered Garden: Christian Worship and Earth's Ecology (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress, 2011. ISBN 978-0-80665-393-8, $9.99). Stewart explores Christianity's environmental consciousness as reflected in worship. [ Read more ]
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Find LSTC...
On "Day 1"
Pastor William Flippin (2005, Th.M.), St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church, Columbus, Ga., was the featured preacher on June 12 and June 19 on "Day 1," a radio show broadcast on more than 200 stations nationwide. Hear the podcasts at http://day1.org/2924-when_christ_shows_up and http://day1.org/2925-blessed_assurances.
"Day 1, " formerly "The Protestant Hour" has broadcast continuously since 1945.
At the Northern Illinois Synod Assembly (and website)
Two members of the LSTC Class of 2011, Amanda Bergstrom and Andrew Tyrell, were ordained at the Northern Illinois Synod Assembly on Friday, June 17. See more at
http://www.nisynod.org/assembly/2011/highlights/ordinations.html. Pastor John Nunes (2006, Th.M.), president of Lutheran World Relief, led Bible studies for the assembly.
In The Lutheran magazine
Four M.Div. graduates from the Class of 2011 agreed to pose for pictures to illustrate the cover story, "Great expectations: What are pastors, churches looking for?" in the July 2011 issue. Brian Robison is on the cover and in a table of contents photo. Katy Harder and Dan Kerr appear on the banner photo of The Lutheran's website and on page 22 of the magazine. Rebecca Sheridan expresses her trepidation on page 20 of the magazine. Read the article and see some of the photos at http://www.thelutheran.org/article/article.cfm?article_id=10035.
Keith Fry (2009, M.Div.) is featured in an article about how the ELCA's 2009 has allowed LGBTQ people in committed relationships to fulfill their call as ordained leaders in the church.
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It's not too late...
To register for fall classes at LSTC!
Would you like to deepen your understanding of the Bible? Gain a basic understanding of biblical Greek? Understand more clearly what Islam teaches? If you would, there are classes at LSTC for you.
This fall we are offering three online courses: Pentateuch and Wisdom Literature, Greek I and Toward Understanding Islam. Course descriptions http://www.lstc.edu/lifelong-learners/online-learning.php.
To register or learn more about online courses please contact Dr. R. Scott Chalmers, Director of Admissions, schalmers@lstc.edu, 773-256-0727.
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Chilstrom autobiography to support LSTC chair in New Testament
 A Journey of Grace
The Rev. Dr. Herbert Chilstrom's (Augustana, 1958) autobiography, A Journey of Grace - The Formation of a Leader and a Church, will be published August 1 by Lutheran University Press. Dr. Chilstrom has announced that profits from the sale of his autobiography will support the Herbert W. Chilstrom Chair in New Testament at LSTC. Dr. Chilstrom recounts not only his own formation as a leader, but of the ELCA, itself. His story of leadership as a pastor, teacher, synod bishop, and as the first presiding bishop of the ELCA, is told in the context of the larger scene of major historical events happening at the time. Martin Marty provides a foreword for A Journey of Grace. In A Journey of Grace, Dr. Chilstrom shares his personal story, as well, recounting the role of his wife, Corinne, the trauma of the death of their son, Andrew, and the impact of his developmentally challenged brother David. To learn more about A Journey of Grace - The Formation of a Leader and a Church, visit |
Opportunities at LSTC
Sept 6, Fall Semester begins
Sept 7, 11:00 a.m., Opening Convocation
Sept 12, Hispanic Heritage month event at DePaul University
Oct 1, Hispanic Heritage month event at LSTC
Oct 4, 12:20 p.m. Manz Organ Series Recital
Oct 9, 3:00 p.m., "Everyday Shariah: Islamic Law and American Life" lecture.
Oct 15, Hispanic Heritage month event at McCormick Theological Seminary
Oct 16, 4:00 p.m. Hymn Festival - Chapel Music Series Concert
Oct 21, 8:00 a.m. Student Symposium on Science and Spirituality/LSTC Academic Forum.
Oct 23, Performance of Mark 1-7 by Phil Ruge-Jones in honor of David Rhoads
Oct 23-25 Seminary Sampler |
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