Around the Tower

Around the Tower A Student Publication of Concordia Seminary

Spring Edition - Two Thousand and Eleven

Around the Tower

Feature Story

3 Drowning Pastors: The Cost of Seminary

Patrick Gumz

We are drowning men...drowning in our debt. The water is deep and is only getting deeper.

This article proposes radical changes on all levels, from the student to the synod, in order to foster discussion among our ranks to see that the current system is unsustainable.

Content 8 10 12 15 16 18 21 22 27 31 39

Movie Review: The Social Network Patrick Fertitta Music Review: Sanctus Real, “Pieces of a Real Heart�

Chad Elfe Athletics: Preacher Basketball Andrew Wilson Phase One Renovations Student I.D. Eric Hutchison Pro-Life or Life Affirming?

Joe Seifert Letter from Student Association President Joshua Errer Sermon: We Get to Rejoice Dallas Dubke Reflections on a Seminary Career Ted Hopkins A Piece of Stone History Dr. Bob Caldwell The Last Word Carl Deardoff, Editor

Spring Edition - Two Thousand and Eleven

Drown THE COST OF SEMINARY

We are drowning men. We have been thrown into the ocean with stones tied around our ankles and we are barely treading water. We are drowning in our debt. The only thing that keeps us from sinking is a sliver of wood called the hope of future employment and benefits. More and more of us are beginning to realize that the financial cost of this endeavor is higher than the return investment. All of us know that we did not enter seminary in order to make the big bucks. We came to be shepherds of a lost flock living in a broken world. We knew before signing the application that seminary would be expensive, but we are a group of men committed to the ministry even if it results in poverty to some degree.

This article has a two-fold purpose. First to expose how deep the water is and how it is only getting deeper. Second is to propose radical changes on all levels from the student to the synod in order to foster discussion among our ranks to see that the current system is unsustainable.

Feature Story

ning Pastors

BY PATRICK GUMZ

119 credit hours x $585 an hour = $69,615 9 qtrs. of tech fee x 105 = $945 1 year of vicarage tuition and fees = $11,109 9 qtrs. of double room for single student @ $2,043/qtr = $18,387 4 years of CHP health insurance = $10,896 Anticipated books and supplies @ $1,800/year = $5,400 Total = $116,352

the sake of convenience assume $200 a month from both for four years which cuts $19,200. This leaves the single seminarian to pay $51,319. There are of course other factors and numbers that can move the cost up and down. Some districts and home congregations pay much more than $200 a month , but some don’t (sorry PSW district students). There are also scholarships from congregations within your district and other parties that can help the overall cost. For the sake of ease let’s assume that the cost per year to the single seminarian is $17,000. That means every year you are a residential student at St. Louis you are required to pay at least $17,000 out of your pocket. That is the amount of money you are responsible to make with your pre-sem degree and three months of summer work.

Now, I said it was the cost to all parties not to the seminarian because we receive a substantial amount of aid in our four years.

Vicarage year is practically paid for by the congregation you serve which eliminates $13,833. The seminary through its grants and adopt-a-student program covers approximately $32,000. Then there is home congregation and district aid which for

For the married student and the married student with children all other costs go up besides tuition and books. Health insurance, housing, and food costs go up, way up. Beyond these added expenses students have travel costs, car payments, and other living expenses. With all these expenses the most popular way to pay for everything is to take out loans.

Let’s start with a single number and break it down into its parts. $116,352. This is the approximate amount paid by all parties to make the lowest cost single student a pastor. Here is how it breaks down:

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The average amount of student loan taken by a seminarian is $26,144 over the course of 4 years. If you ask many seminarians they typically take the max amount available every year which is $20,500 or $61,500 for the three years here. Over the last four years the average percent of students taking loans is a little over 70%. In the last four years we have sent out 335 graduates with an average of $26,000 in debt. That is $8,750,000 owed to the government by the newest pastors in our synod. These are the same pastors who are getting married, starting families, and trying to buy houses.

aid budget by $35,000 this past year. The economy continues to affect the gifts given by individuals and groups. Enrollment is decreasing which causes income for the seminary to decrease while costs stay high.

It is hard to imagine that the current situation is sustainable for the future, even if the economy improves.

The debt to future income ratio is also an area of concern. According to the LCMS Ministerial Growth and Support website, they suggest that in order to have healthy finances it is best to keep “In the last four years your total debt to income There is one last number ratio under 38%. With we have sent out 335 that is different for each many districts guidelines graduates with an person in regards to stusetting the starting salary dent loans, undergrad. A average of $26,000 in at approximately $32,000 majority of students here with other benefits like debt... these are the went to a Concordia for housing and health insurtheir undergrad. Accordsame pastors who are ance, debt repayment ing to their websites the getting married, start- may be very difficult. Not sample cost without finanonly debt repayment but ing families, and trycial aid of four years of colpurchasing a house with lege is between $128,000- ing to buy houses.” a credit score burdened 140,000. It could be even with copious amounts of more for those not attending Concordia educational debt can become strenuous if schools. It’s hard to assume it is possible for not impossible. There may also be stustudents to graduate without debt. dents struggling with credit card debt and car loans. All of a sudden that percentage All of these numbers assume the cost of the begins to get into the 50’s and 60’s and extra present year extrapolated over time, but income is necessary, but difficult to acquire the costs are not staying the same. Underwithout a hard working spouse. grad continues to become more expensive.

Since 2001 seminary tuition has increased Now, I am very pleased with the education seven times and is increasing again next I have received here and take great pride in year by five percent. The synod and disthe academic standards at our seminaries. tricts continue to cut spending. My home The four year program is great in terms of district, Indiana, cut their church worker time spent preparing for the ministry, but

Feature Story

it is time to explore alternatives to this program. Beyond just alternatives, resolutions and system changes would be required for any system either current or proposed.

Moving from simple to radical, here are some suggestions: 1)Uniform or minimum district and congregational aid. I mentioned the Pacific Southwest District (PSW) earlier for one reason; it is the most affluent district, but sends seminarians the least amount of aid. Having either uniform aid or a bare minimum would require districts and congregations to properly budget to support their seminarians.

2)Require all calling congregations to have a seminary debt fund. If a congregation is planning to call a seminarian in the future they should budget money to assist in paying off his education. Every year the new pastor is there, they receive assistance in paying their loans off.

3) Establish a synod loan fund similar to the LCEF in which seminarians can take low interest loans from the synod.

Instead of taking government subsidized and unsubsidized loans or worse private loans from Sallie Mae, seminarians benefit from ultra-low interest loans governed by their non-profit church.

4)Require a bachelor’s degree in education or other trade skill prior to entering seminary so that seminarians can earn money either before entering seminary or during seminary or after seminary before taking a full time call. This is not a worker priest, but someone using a skill in order to pay off debt prior to serving as a congregation’s pastor.

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5)Change seminary program to 5 year B.A. and M.Div. program without field ed. and all seminarians serve as assistant pastors for a few years before taking other calls.

I want to take some time and discuss proposal #5. This proposal is based off something offered at Purdue University for engineering students. At Purdue an engineer can take three and a half years earning a mechanical or electrical engineering degree, then a year and a half to earn an M.B.A. This results in two degrees in five years with minimum debt and higher entering salaries.

What proposal 5 entails is that high school graduates come to seminary and earn a B.A. in religious education or counseling then an M.Div. After completing the five year program, the student is called to a congregation to serve as an assistant pastor in order to complete the forming process and mature. By doing all five years at one theological school the student can cover both languages, introductory and advanced theological classes from the same professors, have the skills to teach the flock both young and old and develop communication skills. This is then followed with in the field education which allows the student to assess strengths and weaknesses while able to be ordained and participate in all activities within the church.

With only five years of education the total cost to the student is cut drastically and with immediate employment he begins making money even sooner. Beyond that if a student wants to pursue further education he is not saddled with so much prior debt.

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I also think that this cannot be the only program in the synod. There would be a need for a second career path and a path for those entering the ministry with a different bachelor’s degree from other private or public schools.

The final result of proposal 5 is a young man coming to seminary and learning pastoral skills and theology for five years, leaving St. Louis accruing half the cost, then entering the ministry under an experienced supervisory or head pastor in which to hone skills before becoming a sole pastor.

If a weakness is discovered, then there are the continuing education programs and distance classes that can help students in specific areas. Also, if the student finds the ministry overwhelming or not for him, he may fall back on his teaching or counseling degree to continue to serve in the church instead of only a pre-sem or even worse a philosophy degree.

We cannot ignore the problem of student debt and the cost of preparing for the ministry. It will cripple our financial futures putting burdens on our families and our congregations. To continue acting like nothing is wrong or to allow our synod to treat us like we have sufficient resources to pay for seminary will only lead to disaster and the further drowning of our pastors and students. If the combined total cost by all parties for one system trained pastor is $250,000+ we need to look long and hard at other options and alternatives and have a real discussion. ***Numbers and calculations are taken from the Academic Catalog 2010-2011, financial aid information sheets, and a personal interview with the financial aid office. Other non-seminary numbers are taken from various synod, district, and university websites.

These are a few ideas to improve the situation of future seminarians and to expose current seminarians to the cost and debt facing them. There are plenty of resources for current seminarians to better manage their finances. Student Services frequently offers courses on budgeting and debt reduction. They are also willing to discuss your financial situation. There are websites like nslds.ed.gov that can help you track your government loans. There is the debt to income analysis calculator on the LCMS Ministerial Growth and Support website along with the salary guidelines to better estimate future income, benefits, and plan for debt repayment.

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the social network Patrick Fertitta reviews one of the most successful movies of 2010.

“The Social Network” is a movie that in all actuality needs no introduction. It’s a memoir film about Mark Zuckerburg, the founder of Facebook. As boring as watching a movie about how another “nerd,” or “geek,” as they have affectionately become known as today, takes an idea and turns it into a billion dollars might seem, “The Social Network” is definitely worth watching.

David Fincher, the man behind such films as, “Se7ven”, and “Fight Club,” has done a bang-up job of making you not feel as though you’re watching the typical linear memoir film. He creates a very edgy atmosphere with the use of clever dialogue and flashbacks.

Fincher presents Zuckerburg ( Jessie Eisenburg) as a tragically ironic figure, with an almost savant-like mentality. His dialogue is fast-paced, full of quippy remarks, and yet intelligently strung together. Every word he speaks fluidly reacts with the others begging the listener to deeply consider his remarks especially when they are most condescending. Because of this, what would otherwise have been a monotonous, plodding two-hour storyline of legal depositions has come to feel more like a court-room thriller.

Alongside the brilliant dialogue, Fincher presents a stunning visual aura as well. The artistic elements of the film coupled with the cinematography have worked in concert

Movie Review

providing a mood reminiscent of classic Film Noir. This serves to further heighten the viewers experience.

Both the dialogue and visual aspects work in tandem to subtly provide a backdrop for the exploration of the “dark side” of the social experience. As a result the film seems to beg for the engagement of the audience in a têteà-tête about these realities. For this reason, theologians will appreciate the deeper, silent conversation “The Social Network” has with them, furrowing into issues such as greed, moral responsibility, anger, manipulation, and ultimately-pride.

Of course the interesting nature of the film is that it is a “history” about a company, an individual, and an entire generation that is still being written today. It offers not only a look inside of Facebook and Zuckerburg’s life, but it provides the foundation for a social commentary on the generation to which we as theologians have been blessed with the task of carrying Jesus Christ.

The experience of “The Social Network” is one that should not be missed. Three and a half out of five “likes.”

“You know, you really don’t need a forensics team to get to the bottom of this. If you guys were the inventors of Facebook, you’d have invented Facebook.”

-Mark Zuckerberg “We lived on farms, then we lived in cities, and now we’re going to live on the internet!”

-Sean Parker (Founder of Napster)

Sean Parker: “You don’t even know what the thing is yet. How big it can get, how far it can go. This is no time to take your chips down. A million dollars isn’t cool, you know what’s cool?”

Eduardo: “A billion dollars.”

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Chad Elfe reviews SANCTUS REAL’s latest cd, “Pieces of a Real Heart.”

In 2010 the band Sanctus Real quickly hit the top ten charts with songs from their new album release, “Pieces of a Real Heart.” It was a bold new step for the band as they sought to re-energize their music while holding strong to their deeply Christian lyrics. This album in some ways reverted back to their early days with a “pop rock” style and catchy rhythms. Their devotion to Christ is evident in songs like “Forgiven” where the band paints the picture of the struggle against sin in this life. “Forgiven” is very much the confession of one who knows the sin that plagues his past. The lyrics provide a comforting declaration of grace in the line “I don’t have to carry the weight of who I am, cause I’m forgiven.”

The song communicates the theologi-

Music Review

cal truth that we are all a “treasure in the arms of Christ” as he is the one that grants forgiveness.

The song “Lead Me” is a great example of the struggle to be a devoted husband.

Lyrics like “Father, give me the strength to be everything I’m called to be … show me the way to lead them” and “Lead me cause I can’t do this alone” are a personal prayer for the eternal Father’s guidance in fulfilling the vocation of husband and father. It’s a solid message targeted to men, encouraging them to be strong devout fathers who do not run from the troubles of family life, but instead rest in the “strong hands” of God to lead them and their families.

Like many of their prior albums, the men from Sanctus Real are not afraid to put their hearts on the line, no pun intended. “Pieces of a Real Heart” is truly a confession of the heart and soul of this group. As you listen to the album you are brought into the imperfection present in the lives of the band itself. The lyrics invite you to consider your own sin and earthly struggles while rejoicing in the promises of Christ. Many recent “Christian” bands have slipped into more “positive” lyrics to embrace secular culture, but with unapologetic lyrics Sanctus Real invites their audience to place their trust in Jesus Christ who can “keep our hearts alive.” By no means does this album contain perfect “Lutheran” doctrine, but it does present a clearly Christian message that speaks to our own Real Hearts.

SANCTUS REAL Lyrics for “Lead Me”

I look around and see my wonderful life Almost perfect from the outside In picture frames I see my beautiful wife Always smiling, but on the inside I can hear her saying...

“Lead me with strong hands Stand up when I can’t Don’t leave me hungry for love chasing dreams, what about us?

Show me you’re willing to fight That I’m still the love of your life I know we call this our home But I still feel alone” I see their faces look in their innocent eyes They’re just children from the outside I’m working hard I tell myself they’ll be fine They’re in independent, but on the inside I can hear them saying...

“Lead me with strong hands Stand up when I can’t Don’t leave me hungry for love Chasing dreams but what about us?

Show me you’re willing to fight That I’m still the love of your life I know we call this our home But I still feel alone” So Father give me the strength To be everything I’m called to be Oh Father show me the way To lead them Won’t You lead me?

To lead them with strong hands To stand up when they can’t Don’t want to leave them hungry for love Chasing things that I could give up I’ll show them I’m willing to fight And give them the best of my life So we can call this our home Lead me ‘cause I can’t do this alone Father lead me ‘cause I can’t do this alone

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Preacher Basketball

By Andrew Wilson Another entertaining Preachers’ basketball season is in the books. The season included yet another two victories over northern rival Fort Wayne CTS. The second matchup between the two rivals capped off a memorable night of basketball during the annual Preacher Classic at Pederson Fieldhouse in January. A season-best crowd of over 300 energetic fans watched as the Preachers took down the Kingsmen of Fort Wayne 59-44. With the two wins this season, the Preachers haven’t lost to the Kingsmen in over 20 contests.

“The Fort Wayne game is our March Madness,” said Concordia’s starting point guard and athletic director Wil Stelzer. “It’s when we play with a higher amount of adreneline due to the band, number of fans and activities. It’s nice to see that our fans respect our commitment and dedication to being the best team and people we can be and genuinely want us to excel.”

The event featured much more than just the showdown between the two seminaries.

The big-game atmosphere of the evening was enhanced by a full Preacher Pep Band complete with complimentary brass sections and even some drums, and a bass guitar. The Preacher cheerleaders showed their support for the team throughout the game and led cheers for the Preachers at the half. Seminarians got to burn off some of their own excess energy during halftime as various intramural

Athletics

teams competed in a spirited Tug-of-War contest. The fun didn’t end at the final buzzer either. After the Preachers’ victory, Stelzer entertained the crowd for an awe-inspiring 15 minutes of dribbling tricks, juggling skills, and all-around thrilling basketball display from “Wil the Thrill.” All put together it’s what CSL fans have come to expect from a trip to the Preacher Classic.

“For the seminary in general, it is a time to come to together in support of the team and grow as a community,” Stelzer shared. “People of all ages and walks of life intermingle, laugh, yell, and have a good time regardless of the outcome.”

Fourth-year players Matt Gonzalez, Joshua Keinath, Ben Vogel, Scott Yount and Justin Sponaugle all depart for their calls this spring, just as second-year players will be away next year on their vicarage, but next season still promises to be another exciting ride.

“The basketball team is above all a family of brothers that grow through good times and hard times,” Stelzer said. “We learn the values of teamwork, learning one’s role, humility, and finding the right balance of being competitive but making sure that our competitiveness does not detract from the joy of playing the game.”

Preacher basketball workouts for the 20112012 season will begin in the fall quarter.

2010-2011 Preacher Roster Doug Bender Harry Smith Tim Fraker Wil Stelzer Joshua Keinath Matthew Gonzalez Ben Delin Andrew Bayless Ben Vogel Clayton Sellers Bart Rall Justin Sponaugle Andrew Schlund Jason Swan Matthew Lane

Quincy, IL Waco, TX New Braunfels, TX Long Island, NY Seymour, IN Bronx, NY Littleton, CO Carroll, IA Shawano, WI College Station, TX Lakeville, MN Booneville, MO Great Falls, MN Lakewood, CO St. Paul, MN

10 12 14 15 23 24 25 34 35 44 45 50 51 54 55

Coach Timothy Saleska

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Preacher Superfan Profile One CSL student who witnessed more Preacher games this past season than any other was “CSL Superfan” Benjamin Seidler. The second-year seminarian from Merrill, Wisconsin didn’t miss a home Preacher game this season and he even made it to several road contests. Decked out in yellow from head to toe, it’s hard to miss Seidler and his enthusiasm at Preacher games, as he leads the home crowd in cheers and sign-waving support of the players on the court.

“My voice never gets tired cheering for the Preachers,” Seidler said. “I made it to every home game this year, and made it to three or four away games, there is no stopping the Superfan from going to the away games.

Like many CSL fans, the Preacher Classic stands out as a season highlight to Seidler.

“It was the biggest crowd that I have seen in the fieldhouse in my two years here, it was great to see everyone come out for that game.”

Athletics

By Andrew Wilson

Seidler and some of his friends take it upon themselves to make signs for each game of the season. The colorful signs are often fashioned around the team the Preachers are playing that night. When Concordia played the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, Seidler sported a sign that read “Jesus is our Prescription.” Seidler designed a special sign for the showdown against Fort Wayne. “My sign making crew and I came up with a sign this year that had a green and yellow basketball bouncing off of the chapel at Fort Wayne right in to the basket,” Seidler explained.

“It was representing that we were going to just bounce right on past them and move into the championship game.”

With fans like Seidler, the Preachers know they have a strong support when they take the floor.

“I would like to say thank you to the whole team for their effort in playing again this season, and thanks to everyone who showed up to cheer on the team,” Seidler said. “It was great to see their team spirit. Go Green and Gold!”

“CSL Superfan” Ben Seidler alongside fellow stormtrooper show their support for the Preachers.

DOCTOR OF DEMOLITION On Friday, March 18, 2011, Dr. Dale Meyer demolished a wall to clear the way for the beginning of the Phase One renovation project. For more information about how the campus of Concordia Seminary is changing, project details, and artistic renderings, visit, http://phaseone.csl.edu.

Phase One

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Where are you from?

Originally I am from Arlington Heights, IL, a northwest Chicago suburb.

What is your educational background?

I originally went to college to study piano performance, but that did not pan out, due to many different circumstances. Roughly two years later I would go back to college in Issaquah, WA (outside of Seattle) at Trinity Lutheran College (formerly, a Lutheran Bible Institute). I would complete a 4-year B.A. in Biblical Studies.

What is an interesting fact I should know about your life?

I came to faith while living and studying at a Christian Community / Study Center / Retreat Place called L’Abri (french for “the shelter”) in southwest Switzerland. This Christian community was founded by the late and great Dr. Francis Schaeffer, an evangelical pastor, teacher, and writer. That experience would lead me (i.e. God did lead me) later to a house church in Portland, OR which was also a very important formative experience for my faith.

How were you involved in your church?

As an adult convert, I was involved in a charis-

Student I.D.

matic house church (for lack of a better/”Lutheran” phrase!), then went to a Lutheran-based Christian college. We attended different types of churches, including Assemblies of God, Evangelical-Free, and others, but while at Trinity Lutheran College was led by God’s good grace to join the LCMS. We joined a church on Mercer Island, WA roughly 2 years before Seminary. Those two years gave me some preparation, guided by my late Pastor Bill Clements, for the ministry. I did not preach much, but helped to lead worship and music and Bible Study a bit.

How did this activity influence your decision to apply to the Seminary?

The activities that led me towards seminary were leading worship, preaching, and community life at my college. As well, my experience in a house church taught me that all of life was “ministry” per se. So I always planned to serve others and live out my faith in whatever ways I could. But all of my service, a leadership steadily affirmed my feelings, my gifts, and my desires to be in ministry.

Who were some of the main influences in your decision to aspire to the Ministry?

The main leaders of the house church in Portland, particularly one couple. Their passion, their knowledge, their love was lived in tangible ways. They supported me with lots of time and prayer and fellowship and I wanted to live life like he (and they) did. Passionate Christian worship leaders such a Keith Green and Rich Mullins also influenced me (despite some of their non-Lutheran ways!). Seeing people with such passion to serve and reach

the lost inspired me to have a faith life that was vibrant and influential to/for others.

Why did you come to Concordia Seminary?

Quite simply, when I felt sure that God was leading me towards seminary, I had studied enough and learned enough about church history, Lutheran theology, etc. that I could not have considered any other seminary/denomination with which I could truly partner and submit to.

What is the most challenging aspect of seminary life?

For me, spiritual life and growth is the most challenging, but not because the Seminary does not foster this. Rather, the responsibility and weight of becoming a spiritual leader is the most challenging reality of training for the pastorate.

How do you continue to grow in faith amid the rigors of Seminary study?

For me personally, I have been intentional about seeking help and fellowship from other students and friends. Daily prayer and worship and daily involvement with my family is crucial. Having regular times to read Scripture and pray is important to my day to day life.

Also, making time for my vocation as father and husband is effective, making the rest of life and my duties more pleasant.

The Profile of Eric Hutchison

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PRO-LIFE or LIFE AFFIRMING?

by Joe Seifert One thing I have learned throughout my seminary education is the importance of language and how we use it. Whether I am endeavoring to tackle the challenging art of translating Greek and Hebrew, looking for the right words to effectively proclaim God’s Law & Gospel in a sermon, or searching for what to say when my wife asks me how a particular outfit makes her look, the words I choose make a huge difference! So why are the words I choose so important? Word choice makes a difference because of the wide spectrum of conceptual signifieds people receive from them of course. (Thank you, Dr. Voelz!)

In my hermeneutics class here at the seminary I learned that when someone hears and/ or reads a word it evokes different characteristics (conceptual signifieds) for each individual. For example, I remember Dr. Voelz talking about using the metaphor of a rose.

If I were to call my wife a rose I would hope that the conceptual signified that she received was that she is beautiful or at least that she smells pleasant, rather than the conceptual signified that she is sharp and thorny. The difficult problem we face is that no matter what language we use we cannot control the conceptual signifieds people have because every person has different memories and experiences that affect the way they hear or read things.

Life Team

Creating a desire not only to defend the unborn but to lift up all aspects of life ministry

the pro-life arena. So when I read in the daily So why have I spent the last couple of announcements that a group was going to a paragraphs talking to you about conceptual local Planned Parenthood to pray for those signifieds and hermeneutics? Well let me involved with abortion and ask you, when you hear the “Let me ask you, when help convince women to term, ‘pro-life,’ what conkeep their children my interceptual signifieds come to you hear the term, est was piqued. Needless to your mind? What images do ‘pro-life,’ what concep- say, that Saturday morning you think this term evokes I had quite the experience. I for others? Hold onto those tual signifieds come did not expect to be so overthoughts and we will come to your mind? What whelmed by emotion, but as back to this later.

I faced the reality of families images do you think bringing their children into Now the reason I am writing this term evokes for that building to be slaughthis article is that I would others?” tered I remember shedding like to let you know a little a few tears and experiencing more about the life group a great deal of sadness and compassion. From that has been present on this campus for the that time on, I got more involved with the past several years and the future plans it has pro-life group on campus. for life ministry as it transitions into a life team. Here is my short story of how I became You may not know that such a group exintroduced to the seminary life group. Before ists on campus, or if you do there is a good I came to the seminary, I was a pro-life chance that what you are most familiar with advocate. I believed that abortion was wrong is that the group has been involved with these and that it killed an innocent human being.

Saturday morning vigils at Planned ParentHowever, I had never been really involved in

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hood. However, through the leadership of me back to my thoughts on the language of Renee and her husband, Dr. Jeff Gibbs, the being pro-life. group here has put on many life events such as adoption workshops, post-abortive healing The term ‘pro-life’ carries a lot of baggage. seminars, bioethics classes led by our own When people hear this term, many conjure Dr. Weise, roundtable discussions, and many up images of angry protesters who are violent others. The Gibbs have and and judgmental. Often “We desire to engage when one hears this term continue to do some wonderful service regarding life in life ministry not out their mind jumps straight issues here on campus and to the narrow definition of of anger or guilt, but in our community. Howanti-abortion. Our life team ever, through the wisdom of out of joy for the abun- hopes to break these kinds fellow Presbyterian Pastor stereotypes by changing dant life that Jesus has of and President of Churches our language from pro-life for Life, Rev. Doug Merkey, already given to us.” to life affirming. We desire they have decided to transto engage in life ministry fer the leadership to the students and other not out of anger or guilt, but out of joy for the seminary community members in order to abundant life that Jesus has already given to best sustain the ministry. Rev. Doug Merkey us. And we desire not only to defend the unhas assisted us in forming what he calls a life born from abortion, but to lift up all aspects team. Renee and Dr. Gibbs have now taken of life ministry whether that means donating on advisory roles and our life team has just diapers or educating people about sexual recently established its officers: purity, adoption, or parenting.

Life Team President-1st year seminarian, James Conrad (wife Katie) Life Team Vice President-Patti Martinal (husband Tim 1st year seminarian) Life Team Secretary-Sonja Weber (husband Chris 2nd year seminarian) God has assembled a team that has some amazing gifts and talents and I am excited to see what ministry God has in store for the future. Not only has Pastor Merkey helped give our life team more organization, but he has also given us an opportunity for new direction and guidance. As I am writing this article we are currently in the process of coming up with a mission statement. As we fine tune this mission statement one thing is for sure, our ministry will be Gospel-driven, which brings

Life Team

And finally, the seminary life team wants to be a team, not a lone ranger outfit. Therefore, we invite you to come to one of our meetings, and if you are interested take the life team training and become a team member. We invite you to participate in the events that we host and we invite you (especially those of you who are going out to be pastors) to use the seminary life team as a resource as you consider inviting the church you serve to start a life team and become a church for life. The life team has already been a real blessing in my life, and I hope to take what I have learned and experienced with me as I enter into God’s life affirming ministry.

If you have any questions about the seminary life team please contact our President, James Conrad, conradj@csl.edu.

Dear Concordia Seminary, As we enter the Spring Quarter, I would like to take this opportunity to share with you some of what the Student Association has done so far this year.

First, we have been actively pursuing our goal of facilitating community development on campus. Under the leadership provided by the Social Cultural Committee, we were able to celebrate a well-attended Oktoberfest, have had great fellowship at Prof-n-Stein, laughed and applauded at the Green and Gold Follies and through it all, been able to learn a bit more about each other in the process.

Second, our Spiritual Life Committee has helped support the Evening and Early Morning Chapel services, facilitated campus wide Bible Studies, sponsored several inter-faith dialogue events with the Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, revived the Opus Dei speaking series, and prepared the Advent and Lenten Devotion books.

Third, we have continued to serve as advocates before the administration on behalf of the students. After receiving a series of concerns regarding single life on campus, the student representatives and I participated in a series of meetings designed to answer questions and pursue solutions to the concerns that were raised. We are happy to report that the Seminary Administration responded to these concerns and were very interested in making sure that student life on campus is the best it can be.

Fourth, as you may have noticed by reading this letter, we have revived the publishing of the Around the Tower newspaper on a regular basis. We hope that you have found this beneficial and enjoyed reading the articles prepared by your fellow students.

While this is not an exhaustive list, I hope it provides you with some idea of what we have been doing this year. As we look ahead, do not forget that the Springfest celebration is on May 6th this year and we hope to see you all there.

May God bless you in this new quarter.

Joshua Errer Student Association President

Letter from the President

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We get to Text: Matthew 9:14-17 14 Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?”

15 Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

16 “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. 17 Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

New International Version 1984, ©1984 (NIV1984)

Grace, mercy and peace be to you from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Long gone are the days when you felt the newness of the year, the newness of the quarter, and you might be finding yourself in the same old situation. You resolved at the beginning of the Spring quarter that you were going to have a new start with all the things that you’ve gotta do…gotta pay better attention in class, gotta quit that bad habit, gotta be less critical, gotta stop procrastinating, gotta pay more attention to the family, gotta do better at Seminary, gotta, gotta, gotta!

Fellow fourth years, after coming back from vicarage, you know about the same old situation. Same old cafeteria, dorm or “The

Chapel of St. Timothy and Titus

Rejoice

by Dallas Dubke

Woods” and the same old gottas. Second well with the Pharisees who insisted that years, you’ve now fallen into the routine…the you’ve gotta avoid unclean things. From newness of Seminary has long since faded, their perspective, Jesus wasn’t doing what and now you’re focused on what needs to you’ve gotta do… avoid sinners. Then John’s get done. First years, you’ve tasted the Sem disciples came up to Jesus and asked him why alright, drinking through the proverbial fire he wasn’t fasting like they and the Pharisees. hose, and now having more than a mouthFrom their perspective it was about the “gotful, you’ve got a plethora of “gottas” on your tas,” and from their perspective, Jesus, was plate. It’s the same old list of just another teacher who was “Jesus proclaims that going to add to their list of gottas… gotta parse, parse, parse… gotta go to class, do He is something new, “gottas.” The answer Jesus homework, go to field work. gave them wasn’t what they Oh yeah, then you remember and he brings a new expected. that you really gotta do a bet- perspective.” ter job of getting outside of Jesus said in 9:16, “No one the “seminary bubble” and stay in touch with sews a patch of un-shrunk cloth on an old the world somehow…gotta check the news garment, for the patch will pull away from more often, gotta get out more. Perhaps your the garment, making the tear worse.” My perspective has become…that old familiar mom tried to patch a pair of my sister’s old phrase, “I’ve gotta.” Can you relate? I believe jeans one time. She sewed the new patch of we all can! It sure would be nice to be free jean material over the hole, but when she put from all of the same old list of “gottas.” It sure them in the wash, the jean material shrunk, would be nice to experience something new and the tear wasn’t fixed at all! Just as a new and different! A new perspective perhaps? cloth doesn’t fit with the old garment, Jesus is something new that can’t merely be added to The Pharisees and John’s disciples knew about the old system of the law. the “gottas.” The Pharisees were especially Jesus brings a new perspective. Not another keen on making sure the “gottas” got done. “gotta perspective” but a perspective that Right before Jesus was questioned by John’s gives reason for rejoicing! Jesus proclaimed disciples, the Pharisees were disgusted that himself to be the promised bridegroom of Jesus didn’t follow their list of “gottas.” Jesus Israel, the one who would lay down His life was eating a banquet with Matthew the tax for his people, his bride. Weddings are joyous collector along with his tax collector budoccasions, and from his perspective, this was dies and sinners, and that banquet didn’t sit a time when people get to rejoice, not a time

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for adding to the list of burdensome “gottas.”

Jesus proclaims that He is something new, and he brings a new perspective.

Jesus’ brings a whole new perspective causing rejoicing! Earlier in chapter nine of Matthew, we see this rejoicing! Jesus gave people reason to rejoice as they witnessed life from a new perspective. As a paralytic was brought before Jesus in Matthew 9:1-8, he was laid out on a mat…helpless…likely discouraged…not having much reason for rejoicing. Jesus didn’t give the man a list of a bunch of the same old “gottas”. Instead, he gave the man a new perspective! As that paralytic left that place, he left jumping and dancing, sins forgiven with reason to rejoice! Jesus gives more reason to rejoice in verses 9-12. Instead of giving Matthew and his tax collector and sinner friends a lecture on the “gottas,” he spends time with them. God is dwelling among people in the flesh, sent to save His people.

Right after Jesus finishes speaking with John’s disciples who asked him about fasting, he encounters a bleeding woman (verses 20-22).

As she approached him, she was suffering, but as she walked home that day, she walked home with a new perspective, free from her bleeding, having met the Bridegroom, given reason to rejoice! In verses 23-26 when Jesus walked into the house of Jairus, he and his family were staring death in the face. They especially had no reason to rejoice in the face of death. But before Jesus left that place, Jairus and his family were rejoicing, for the Bridgroom had come and raised his little girl from the dead. She was alive once again, and there was rejoicing!

Instead of some kind of teacher of the law who gives a list of more “gottas,” Jesus is the

bridegroom who brings forgiveness and healing, a new perspective and reason to rejoice.

We are His blood bought bride because He took all the “gottas” upon Himself on the cross. He did what He had to do, and you and I get a whole new perspective! Because the Bridegroom is risen from the dead, you and I have new life and a new perspective. A new life of “GET to’s” instead of “gottas.”

In Matthew 9:17, Jesus talks about new wine and wineskins, saying that the new doesn’t fit with the old. Wineskins were often made of goat skins. As the wine fermented, it would expand. While a new goat skin was able to stretch with the wine, the old wine skin couldn’t stretch much more and would burst. The new couldn’t just be added to the old. They didn’t mix. Jesus introduces new wineskins for new wine, as we are given a new perspective for a new life. Jesus changes our perspective from the gotta to the GET to. Because of Christ, you get to study His word in class. You get to help out at fieldwork.

You get to visit that person and tell them about Christ. You get to attend vicarage or placement meetings in preparation for the adventure of proclaiming God’s word with others. You get to have the privilege of helping out with the music, the maintenance, or the spreading of the message of God’s love.

Sure, there are times when in the middle of the tasks that we know need to get done, you and I can lose that joy and fall into the perspective of the “gotta.” Nevertheless, God is still at work in our midst, and He continues to transform our lives and our perspectives.

I remember a time when I was tired after being up late on a Saturday, and I thought that I might skip Bible class and just go to church during the late service, but somewhat reluctantly, I still decided to go, with a “gotta”

Chapel of St. Timothy and Titus

attitude. But, while I was there, I learned some wonderful insights, and the Lord used his word and my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to change my perspective. Though I went reluctantly, I left glad that I got to go.

Now, we know that it doesn’t always happen this way. Sometimes we are still reluctant, but nevertheless, God is still always at work through His word, transforming our perspectives.

Perhaps you’re headed off to field work, knowing that you’ve “gotta” go, maybe in a bad mood because you’ve got a lot of homework that you know needs to get done.

Then you get to the church, and you hear a devotion or a sermon that touches your heart, and God gives you a new perspective.

Jesus changes the “gotta” to the GET to! You may have come with the “gotta “perspective, but you leave with the “get to,” rejoicing that you’ve heard God’s word and received His forgiveness.

Perhaps you make that hospital visit knowing that you’ve “gotta,’ but an elderly parishioner facing terrible difficulties demonstrates their faith in the Lord, and touches your heart.

Your perspective changes from the “gotta” to the “get to.” You walk out of that hospital room humbled and excited that you “get to.”

“I get to go visit that person! What a privilege!”

Perhaps you go to a vicarage meeting, a placement, faculty or staff meeting knowing that you’ve “gotta” attend, but then after hearing about some of the exciting possibilities for serving the Lord, you realize what a privilege it is that you GET to serve Him. You thought about skipping devotions, class or chapel knowing that you’ve “gotta” go, but then in

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the course of a Bible reading, lecture or a sermon, the Lord spoke to you through His word, and he changed your perspective from “gotta” to “get to.” You walk out the doors of the room, classroom or chapel, rejoicing because you get to hear God’s word. True, it may not always happen exactly in those ways, but nevertheless, God continues to work in your life through His word and sacraments, offering you forgiveness and new life in Christ, your bridegroom.

In the middle of this Spring quarter, in the middle of life, you and I GET to rejoice. No, we don’t “gotta” rejoice, we GET to rejoice, because the bridegroom has come, has risen and will come again to join in the heavenly banquet feast full of rejoicing! Yes, there will be struggles in this life, and we can’t always change the challenges that we face. But, in the midst of all this, even in the midst of the darkest sorrows, Jesus, your bridegroom gives you and me new life, a new perspective and reason to rejoice. When you come to chapel, you GET to hear God’s word and on Eucharist days, receive His body and blood, that you may leave with rejoicing, as God continually forgives your sins and changes your perspective from the “gotta” to the “get to.” There is much reason to rejoice! New wineskins for new wine. All for Jesus. You GET to rejoice because of your Bridegroom! Amen.

Now may the peace of God which surpasses all human understanding guard, guide and keep your hearts and minds in the one true faith until you rejoice with all the saints at the Heavenly banquet celebration of the Bridegroom. Amen.

Chapel of St. Timothy and Titus

Reflections on a

Seminary Career

by Ted Hopkins After four years of seminary, I certainly cannot say that I have learned everything I need to know about God and the Church. If anything, after four years of seminary training, I feel like I can honestly speak Socrates’ dictum, “The one thing I know is that I know nothing.” What I have learned more than anything is how inadequate my words are, how little I understand the things of God, and how often I myself try to play god.

Four years ago, I came to Concordia with high hopes for theology. The problem with the church, I thought, was poor teaching and preaching – bad theology. I thought that theology had all the right answers about God, about evil, and about suffering. I didn’t say it like that, but looking back, I believed that getting theology right would make a big difference. Churches would grow, non-believers

would believe, and the angels in heaven would sing. After four years as a student of theology, I feel more like Qoheleth than Melanchthon.

I have spent twenty plus hours working to make that sermon great, with only a few ‘nice sermon’s at the end. I have worked my tail off trying to write confirmation lessons that are relevant and informative to middle-schoolers only to have them pull out their cell phones in the middle of class. Even for those of you who still think very highly of theology, I am willing to bet that you have days when you wonder about your effectiveness, even when you wonder about the point of it all. On nights like that, one question creeps into my mind over and over again, “Does theology matter?”

We have spent long days, long quarters, and even long years assuming that it does, and that what we do here at the seminary makes all the difference. We drop good paying

Above photo: The Main Quad prepared for graduation ceremonies.

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engineering jobs, move from the warmth of Southern California, and uproot our families and children in order to come to this place and study theology. You’d think that after four years of this education, I’d be able to answer definitely in the affirmative, but it isn’t quite that easy. The question continues to haunt us, “Does theology matter?”

Bible classes include only the pure Lutheran teachings. The kingdom of God doesn’t grow because we pastors are the best theologians, the best preachers, or the best teachers. God’s reign comes through the proclamation of his word, through telling his story, even when it comes from the mouths of infants and babies.

This creates a kind of tension that is inherent in being theologians.

The problem, I think, is not theology, but you and me. Theology is important, but it’s only Theology does matter, but it doesn’t matter important within its limits. Theology cannot in an ultimate sense. Theology matters only do everything; theology cannot fill our empty in a penultimate sense. Of course, what we pews; theology cannot entice our people to practice in our churches, what structures we witness more or live the sanctified life. Theoluse in our sermons, and what we know about ogy can only do so much, but sometimes, we the Book of Concord do matter. Sometimes, want theology to do more. these things make the differ“We may think that if The problem, however, is ence between credible faith not with theology; it’s a our theology and prac- and dead speech. We can problem with you and me. never forget, however, that I told you before that I have tice are top notch then these things are significant this tendency to want to only in a penultimate sense. that will guarantee play god, and this is just that our churches will The best preaching, the another one of these cases. grow, and that Chris- best teaching, and the best Ultimately, I don’t want to rely on God to bring people tianity will come back worship will fail us. We may into the Church; I don’t think that if our theology strong in America.” want to rely on the Holy and practice are top notch Spirit to motivate and move then that will guarantee that Christians to do good works; I don’t want to our churches will grow, and that Christianwait for Christian people to begin to mature ity will come back strong in America. But in their faith. I want to say the right words and these will fail us because even theology has to do it all. The problem is my own. I want its limits. When we forget about these limits, God to work on my time table, using my tools our trust moves away from God and toward (theology). ourselves, our worship, our preaching, and our teaching. And ultimately, I am convinced, Only God doesn’t do that! God doesn’t God doesn’t save his people because of our save his people because we have the right great theology but despite it. Theology does theology. God doesn’t bless our ministries matter, but we need to keep its significance because our narrative sermon structures are in perspective. Our ministry and our faithfultop-notch (no-offense to Dr. Schmidt!). The ness depend on it. kingdom of God doesn’t increase because our

Reflections

Laughter from Above The most difficult task for an editor is writing breath-taking headline copy. We at “Around the Tower” strive to write headlines that grab the reader’s attention and refuse to let go. (We’ve even experimented in subliminal messaging, but due to our professional standards of ethics, and the fact that President Meyer wouldn’t let us, we won’t stoop to that level.)

The following headlines were all seriously considered to grace the cover of this issue, but after much deliberation, we thought “Less is More” and went with the current title. The following are alternative titles that did not quite make the final cut.

Professor Offers Practical Advice for Drowning Seminary Student: “Learn to Breath Under Water” (at least you’re baptized) We are all beggars, this is true.

Desperate Seminary Student Sells Kidneys to Survive Seminarian tries to raise money by writing best seller, “The Real Purpose Driven Life” (This is just asking for a law suit…sorry Rick.)

“Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You raised my tuition.

Prepare to die!” (Classic movie…but a little violent.)

Seminary Raises Money by Partnering with CBS to produce “Survivor Seminary.”

Seminarian Questions: “Do I Really Need My Liver?”

Gollum Comments on Tuition Raise: “Sneaky, tricksy little hobbitses.”

Seminary Offers “FREE CANDY! FREE CANDY TO ANYONE WHO WANTS IT!” $$$Ka-ching$$$ Cashing in on a Seminary Education by Landing a Mega-Church Books: $1800 a year, insurance $3500, housing $5000, tuition $18,000. The opportunity to learn and grow in faith at Concordia Seminary – priceless. Mastercard, we’ll give you a credit card at 20 % interest to help you pay for it. (A little lengthy, but after a little polishing, could be a beaut!)

Seminarian Runs out of Body Parts to Sell in Black Market.

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A Piece o

By Bob Caldwell, Ph.D. Not long after he took office, Seminary President Dale Meyer checked out master keys and conducted himself on a tour of every nook and cranny of the campus. On his journeys he ran into a strange item in the basement of Wyneken: a triangular stone carving about five feet across the bottom and just under three feet high in a packing crate.

Carved into the face of this hitherto unknown object was a relief of the log cabin in which Concordia Seminary was originally housed with a reference to its founding in Perry County in 1839 [photo on the right].

Clearly, it belonged to the seminary, but from where did it come?

Eric Stancliff, Public Services Librarian and Art Curator, did not find a picture or description of this monolith in any of his records. Neither is it mentioned in any of the books describing the architecture of this campus. At this point, I was put on the hunt.

There are some numbers on the packing crate, so I took them to Dr. Martin Noland, then-director of the Concordia Historical Institute. It is CHI, not the seminary, that

Campus History

of Stone History President Meyer discovers a piece of the Old Seminary that sends Dr. Caldwell on the hunt.

actually owns the log cabin replica on the seminary grounds, so it was possible that they may have had this piece in their system at some point. Dr Noland took me deep into the bowels of CHI to search the old card records, but no number like this was in their catalogue.

Suspecting that it originally belonged to the Jefferson Avenue campus, the next step was to comb through unsorted boxes of photos and newspaper clippings related to the seminary at CHI. A presumably pre-construction drawing of the seminary showed a triangular shaped object just above the archway that contained the main front doors [photo 1, next page]. This object has some type of relief to it, though no detail can be seen.

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Photo 1

Photo 2

> Two photos, one taken straight-on [photo 2] and one from an angle [photo 3], again show the triangular shape with a small cross right above it. Both photos seem to indicate that something was in the shape, but no detail can be seen.

The final photo [photo 4] is of the building just before its demolition in 1934. It is clear that this piece would fit exactly in that triangle above the door. Eric Stancliff and Dr. Meyer were convinced by the photos that the strange piece is a pediment that came from the Jefferson Avenue building.

If so, a mystery remains. Where was the pediment between the time it was removed and the time that Dr. Meyer found it? Dennis Crowell, the former Environmental Services Director, remembered being part of the crew that put it in the Wyneken basement in the early 1980s. Unfortunately, he did not know from where it was moved.

Could it have been stored at Holy Cross, the church which now owns the property? Unfortunately, the long-time church historian passed away a few years ago and the current staff didn’t know anything about it. However, Milton Gaebler, a long-time trustee of

Campus History

the church who remembers playing in the abandoned building as a boy, is still living.

He said that he never saw it anywhere in Holy Cross during his time. He was told that when the seminary relocated to the present campus in 1926, they left behind the bell and the statue of Luther. He claims that the church had to remind the seminary to come get them before they tore down the building.

So perhaps the pediment was moved to the Clayton campus at or near the time that the statue and bell were brought over and stored somewhere. Or maybe someone had it at their home for safekeeping and brought it to the seminary when cleaning up. Either way, the crating around it is probably not much older than the early 1980s.

Regardless of where it has been, the next question is what to do with it. It was suggested by a recent graduating class to have it placed as a monument somewhere on campus, but the cost was deemed to be too high.

So for now, it continues to collects dust as it has for more than seventy years.

Photo 3

Photo 4 Photo 4

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&

The Green Gold Follies

Campus Culture

Werner Auditorium - January 28, 2011

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Campus Culture

Winter Revisited on March 26, 2011.

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About this Issue This issue features art from around the campus of Concordia Seminary, particularly, the stained glass windows. This includes portions from the grandiose stained glass windows in The Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus, the chapel in Luther’s Tower, The Welcome Center, Wartburg and Koburg Hall, The President’s Room, and other various locations around the tower. As the stained glass window in The Chapel of St. Timothy and Titus does so well, these windows serve as a constant reminder to point our lives and ministry to the Lamb of God Jesus Christ.

Contributors Special thanks go out to the writers and photographers who made the 2011 spring issue of “Around the Tower” possible. This year, the publication had a very restricted budget and the release of this issue would not have been possible without the cooperation, effort, and support of the following people: Patrick and Kami Gumz, Patrick Fertitta, Chad Elfe, Andrew Wilson, Eric Hutchison, Dr. Bob Caldwell, Joe Seifert, Dallas Dubke, Ted Hopkins, and Dr. Wally Becker.

Upcoming on-campus events April 11-15 April 17 April 24 May 4 May 6 May 8 May 11 May 13 May 20 May 23-27

Upcoming Events

Interim Ministry Workshop Bach at the Sem Concert Easter Brunch Call Day SpringFest Mother’s Day Brunch Day of Homiletical Reflection Seminary Guild Meeting Commencement Christian Law Enforcement Chaplaincy

The Last Word

Letter from the Editor Carl Deardoff

There are approximately 10,254 words in this issue of “Around the Tower”…but who’s counting anyway? This little “bacon bit” of information shouldn’t be to surprising since this was a “mega-issue” encompassing the winter and spring quarters at Concordia Seminary. If a picture was worth 1,000 words, then the number jumps to 76,000 words in this issue! But, since that math comes from a figurative saying - let’s stick with 10,000.

A lot can be said in 10,000 words. Some authors use strong, vibrant, and powerful words that strike your heart and leave you asking for more.

While other authors use weak, bland, and boring words that miss the mark and leave you asking, “What’s the point?” Where would a magazine be without words? Where would our lives be without words? How else could we communicate our thoughts, needs, and feelings? Words are truly excellent and language is a gift from God. Still, words are not enough. Popular sayings, such as; “Put your money where your mouth is,” and “Actions speak louder than words,” help convey this simple truth. Sure, you love God and Jesus and all that stuff, but how have you shown it lately? What does faith produce? St. Francis of Assisi famously said “At all times preach the gospel and when necessary use words.” This saying effectively captures the need to put our words into motion for the spread of the gospel, but still comes up short. Clichés aside, let’s consult the ultimate source of truth. Jesus constantly used comforting words of the Gospel to save people, but he said it best with his most powerful expression of love.

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?

deardoffc@csl.edu Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3: 16-18 Just as words without meaning are pointless, so is love without action. How can we follow Jesus’ example at Concordia Seminary? How can we lay down our lives for our brothers and love in action and in truth? This could be as simple as taking time to listen to the struggles that your friend is going through. Perhaps, you could volunteer at one of our social events, in the re-sell it shop, or the food bank. Participating in Chapel is an everyday opportunity to be there for your brother.

As you continue in your studies this spring quarter I hope you take time to place people over papers and strengthen your relationships with future colleagues in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. God has blessed this institution with an abundance of talented individuals that are here to support one another in their academic endeavors.

Take the time to talk to a student you haven’t met before, or a professor you haven’t had in class yet.

Who knows? You might just learn something. So, as I finish this article and add a few more words to the 10,000, I hope your life is pointed to the son of man who taught us what real love is. And he is the last word.

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Around the Tower