How, where, and when we teach, learn, and work has changed significantly in recent years. In planning for the ongoing fulfillment of our mission to educate leaders for Christian communities, we must engage the many ways the church and society are evolving and how the pandemic has permanently reshaped our expectations of work, study, and life in community.

What will the church and our learners require of us in the future? At Luther Seminary, we are responding to this question by investing in a full array of teaching modalities—from fully online courses to in-person intensives, from hybrid classes with in-person and virtual instruction to fully residential courses and travel abroad courses. We have led through years of growing pains and continue to lead into a hope-filled future, so that we can continue to prepare the next generation of leaders.

I shared with you last month that our finances are not an obstacle to our ministry but are, in fact, a source of strength. That said, building additional pathways and entry points to break down barriers, expand access, and develop leaders for the church requires ongoing investment. Equipping faculty to succeed in teaching in multiple settings and equipping staff to succeed in a hybrid work environment are true challenges, including the ongoing expenses of keeping our educational and professional technologies functional, robust, and secure.

Our investments have already borne much fruit. Learners show up for remote courses and in-person intensives in full force. Our students’ academic performance tells us that our faculty instruction is flourishing both in the classroom and online. The seminary’s hybrid staff workforce is nimble, flexible, and innovative. And in adjusting our curriculum and programs to ensure the fulfillment of our mission for the long term, we are faithfully considering how we use our physical campus.

Theological education delivered in multiple formats and locations is here to stay. This approach requires investment, and we think our mission is the better for it. Together we must lead in preparing leaders for the changing shape of church by embracing an understanding of church that  includes inherited forms of congregational life, today’s dynamic realities, and new forms of Christian community  that meet neighbors where they are.

We thank God for the continuing invitation to experiment, innovate, and adapt to support our students, who go out to serve local congregations and communities and the church around the world.

Peace,

Robin Steinke
President

Read other installments in our winter 2025 series on how Luther Seminary continues to lead in providing theological education for the church:
Disruptions and Discernment in Theological Education – January 2025
What a Strong Seminary Can Offer – February 2025
Reimagining Leadership Everywhere – April 2025