Special Events » Conventions » 2008 Synod Convention » Seminary Task Force
Task Force on Cost-Efficient, Sustainable Seminary Education
Memorandum of Understanding
Progress Toward Development of Memorandum of Understanding and Agreement
Executive Summary
- DOWNLOAD FULL REPORT
- Download response from the joint Board of Regents
- Download response from Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary, St. Catharines
- Download response from Concordia Lutheran Seminary, Edmonton
One of the core objectives of the Synod is to "recruit and train pastors, deacons, and other professional church workers and provide opportunity for their continuing growth." (Handbook, Constitution III. 3). Our Lord has truly blessed seminary education in Canada. However, this success has not been without challenges. The 2008 Convention of Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) adopted Resolution 08.3.04, to implement a cost efficient seminary program for LCC. In response to this, the Board of Directors established this Task Force with a main goal of providing the Board of Directors with a series of recommendations that will lead to providing cost-efficient theological education for the church.
This final report provides an overview of the current system, key recommendations for a cost efficient, sustainable seminary program, together with cost projections the Task Force recommends be contractually obligated between each of the two seminaries and Lutheran Church Canada in a Memorandum of Understanding and Agreement to accomplish the key Task Force recommendations including:
- Lutheran Church Canada and its membership be encouraged to continue and grow their support for seminary training as a core objective of the Synod.
- Seminary education be continued at both Edmonton and St. Catharines sites.
- The administration and operations of Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary - Ontario and Concordia Lutheran Seminary Edmonton be integrated such that there would be a single president and administration, single budget and non-overlapping academic program for seminary education in Lutheran Church-Canada, and ultimately the two seminaries be amalgamated with a single Board of Regents.
- The total full-time faculty workload equivalent not exceed five professors, including the president, who will also be expected to teach as necessary.
- 'Smart classrooms' be used as much as possible to facilitate simultaneous joint classes between the two campuses.
- Various administrative and support functions such as accounting, development and recruitment be centralized.
- Our seminaries begin a Distributed Learning MDiv/Theological Diploma Pilot Program combined with its existing classroom-based MDiv program.
- In due course, a new name be chosen for the integrated seminaries.
- The Synodical Bylaws of LCC be followed, and if necessary be amended to allow a more direct relationship between the Board of Directors and the Board of Regents, such that current ambiguities noted by the Task Force be clarified.
It is our prayer the recommendations contained herein will lead to a new day in seminary education where the support for and the sustainability of seminary education will increase; where our Synod will value seminary education as its founders envisioned. The Task Force also prays that while the changes recommended herein will be challenging to implement, the seminaries themselves will embrace anew their mission and strive to work together in good faith to be good and faithful stewards of the treasures, talents and time entrusted to their care.
