29th Sacred Convocation

Join us on Friday, May 24, 2013 at 7:00 pm for our 29th Sacred Convocation in the Robert Tegler Student Centre, Concordia University College of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.  Three MDiv. graduates, Vincent Moore, Todd Guggenmos and Mark Schultz, will  have successfully completed their studies and stand ready to offer themselves for placement in the church as called “servants for Jesus’ sake.” Vicarage assignments for Aaron Astley and Scott Gamble will be announced as the church and seminary continue to work together in forming them as future pastors.   One graduate, James Kaye, of Lutheran Church–Canada’s “Pastors With Alternate Training (PAT)” program will receive his call from the church. Honorary awards will be presented to Ms. Lynn Gergens (Doctor of Letters), to Mr. Art Timm (Faith in Life), and to Mrs. Doreen Christensen (Friend of the Seminary). Please join us as we celebrate all of the mercies God has showered upon us throughout this academic year.
The service will also be broadcast live on our website. Watch this page for more details.

2013 Matching Grant Challenge

In his letter to the Philippians (4:15), St. Paul commends his readers for providing support for his ministry in Thessalonica. Have you ever wondered why he would mention something like this in a letter which would be read by many other congregations, including us in our day? I think the reason is that he wanted the Philippians to be an example for other believers, a challenge for others to do likewise.  

Challenges can be a good thing. They help us do extraordinary things; just talk to someone who has run a marathon. In the context of our seminary, we saw last year how a challenge enabled us to raise $240,000 in five weeks. What a blessing that was! What an encouragement to those of us who labour on your behalf to prepare men for the ministry of our church!

Motivated by the love of Christ, a number of anonymous supporters have again offered a challenge to everyone else to support Concordia Lutheran Seminary with a special gift at this time. The challenge is for the seminary to raise $75,000 by June 15. They will match every dollar we raise dollar for dollar up to that figure.

We know, of course, that your gifts to the seminary will not be primarily motivated by this challenge; it is your love for God and your desire to see pastors prepared for the Gospel ministry of the Church that will motivate you. But it is nice to know that your gift will go twice as far because it is being matched.

These are challenging times for our Church and our Seminary. We are all called on to do more with less. But we are assured by the grace of God that all our challenges will be met. Please consider helping us meet this challenge. Time is limited but we are confident.

Thank you for participating in this exciting opportunity. Of course we’ll let you know the outcome.

Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake,

Dr. Norman J. Threinen
Interim President

P.S.  Will you consider helping us meet this exciting challenge?

Make cheques payable to:  Concordia Lutheran Seminary
Note: Matching Grant
Send to: 7040 Ada Blvd, Edmonton, AB, T5B 4E3

Presidential Call Update

In keeping with Bylaw 6.11.a (2011 Handbook, Page 60) the Lutheran Church-Canada Board of Directors has authorized the electors and Board of Regents of Concordia Lutheran Seminary to proceed with their planned second call for nominations.

SEEKING NOMINATIONS

The Board of Regents of Concordia Lutheran Seminary (Edmonton) is issuing a call for nominations for the Office of President.  The President of CLS “shall be the executive officer of the Board of Regents and as such serve as the spiritual, academic, and administrative head thereof.” (Synodical Bylaw 6.13, Lutheran Church--Canada Handbook, 2011). For a more detailed description of the functions of the office of president, consult the Synodical Bylaw 6.13.
A nominated candidate should possess the following qualifications: 

SPIRITUAL:

1. Be able to provide spiritual leadership by understanding himself as a servant for Jesus, namely by being humble, open, and attentive to the needs of others, including students, staff and faculty;
2. Be an ordained clergyman of Lutheran Church---Canada or of a church body in altar and pulpit fellowship with LCC, particularly one who has had significant experience in parish ministry;
3. Be supportive and understanding of the seminary’s primary task of pastoral formation.

ACADEMIC:

1. Be able to write and speak clearly and effectively to a variety of audiences from the academic community to members of local congregations;
2. Possess the ability and credentials to provide credible academic oversight, particularly by holding an earned doctorate;
3. Be known and respected within LCC as well as within theological circles.

ADMINISTRATIVE:

1. Understand and provide leadership in the financial aspects of seminary administration, including development and fundraising;
2. Provide leadership in analysing and helping others work through difficult problems with the goal of achieving an acceptable solution;
3. Be willing to travel in order to make connections with CLS’ constituency for purposes of development, recruitment, and public relations.

Please note that according to Synodical Bylaw 6.11.b only member congregations of the Synod, the Board of Directors, the Board of Regents, and the faculty of Concordia Lutheran Seminary are eligible to make nominations.

Please direct all nominations to the secretary of the Board of Regents:
Rev. Daryl Solie
190 Litzenberger Crescent
Regina, SK. S4R 5X9
d.solie@sasktel.net

The deadline for nominations is July 15, 2013

Fickenscher Returns the Call

Dr. Carl Fickenscher has returned the call to become Concordia Lutheran Seminary's next president. In the letter received at the seminary yesterday, Dr. Fickenscher says,

“Sadness, joy, and confidence all come with the decision...that I am returning the call to be president of Concordia Lutheran Seminary... I would have loved being part of your CLS family and Edmonton community. ...I believe we would have been blessed in our work for God together. I'm deeply honored to be called! ... Still, I have--we can all have!-- total confidence that God's kingdom in Edmonton and Canada will go forward exactly as He perfectly envisions! It's very obvious to me that CLS is in a position to flourish with its next president. The challenges I heard were actually exciting...Understanding that--the seminary is part of the Church, precious people of God preparing to minister to precious people of God, and not simply an institution or operation--assures us that God will be with us, accomplishing His wise and gracious will in Christ Jesus. That is certain!”

As prescribed in the Synod Handbook, the next step in the process for calling CLS's president will be for the electors to either reissue the call, elect from the remaining candidates on the short list, or request the Board of Regents to issue a new call for candidates.

Seminary board calls president

Here is a little more information about Dr. Carl Fickenscher, who has been called by the Board of Regents to serve as the seminary’s new president.

From Canadian Lutheran:

Dr. Fickenscher currently serves as Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions and Dean of Pastoral Education and Certification at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne (Indiana), having accepted a call there in 1999. He is also editor of Concordia Pulpit Resources, and has published numerous articles, essays, and sermons. Among other work, he edited Concordia Publishing House’s Faith Alive Bible (a study Bible for youth), and serves on the Commission on Theology and Church Relations for The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.

(more information to follow...)

Seminary President Call Update:

The Board of Regents has called Dr. Carl Fickenscher of Fort Wayne, IN, to the position of President at Concordia Lutheran Seminary. 

Quest starts tonight - 7pm (MST)

Join us tonight for “Culture and the Word: Christians and New Communications Technologies ” with Dr. Stephen Chambers; a 4 part series of two-hour illustrated talks. We'll meet each Tuesday evening in person and online, see you there! http://concordia.adobeconnect.com/quest

Donate now for your 2012 tax credit.

All donations postmarked no later than Dec. 31/2012 receive a 2012 tax credit.
Click here to donate online.
Tax receipts for 2012 will be issued by January 2013.
Thank you and Gods peace and blessing to you and yours from CLS.