president from the
One thing hasn’t changed in the last 171 years, and that is our dedication to forming servants in Jesus Christ who teach the faithful, reach the lost and care for all. Our faculty remains committed to forming faithful pastors, deaconesses and lay leaders by equipping them with a sound understanding of the Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions.
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ay 2017…171 years since the closing of the first academic year at Concordia Theological Seminary. So much has changed in those years. Our seminary has been located in Fort Wayne, in St. Louis during the Civil War and in Springfield for over 100 years before returning to Fort Wayne on this campus in 1976. That first class of 11 seminarians was instructed in Dr. Wilhelm Sihler’s parsonage in downtown Fort Wayne. Today’s student body enjoys a campus of nearly 200 acres, housing beautiful classroom buildings, a state of the art library complex and one of the most beautiful chapels in the world. These are all great blessings and certainly enhance and support the learning that takes place here. One thing hasn’t changed in the last 171 years, and that is our dedication to forming servants in Jesus Christ who teach the faithful, reach the lost and care for all. Our faculty remains committed to forming faithful pastors, deaconesses and lay leaders by equipping them with
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a sound understanding of the Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions. Pastors in the field, too, play a key role in this formation as they mentor students in fieldwork, vicarage and deaconess internships. Our support staff and generous donors make it possible for us to continue our daily work, and we are forever grateful for them. This issue of For the Life of the World will give you a glimpse into how what we do here flows into the church-at-large. It’s not just about receiving the finest education at a world class seminary–it’s about preparing servants who will take the saving Word of Jesus Christ to a hurting world in need of salvation.
The Rev. Peter Lange, president of the Kansas District, shares how the worship life he lived and experienced here still supports him in his daily service. The Rev. Dr. Jason Lane tells how the academic excellence he acquired taught him a love of theology and prepared him to share this love with new generations of students. Our own Rev. Jon Scicluna gives a behind the scenes look at the selfless professionals who love and care for this campus. Yes, we are truly blessed to be in this place at this time. And we look forward, with God’s blessings, to many more years of preparing servants for His Church. With you in Christ’s Service,
Lawrence R. Rast Jr. President Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne, Indiana
For the Life of the World