Candidacy in Other Denominations

While Luther Seminary has a distinctly Lutheran approach to its commitment to educate leaders, lay and clergy, for Christian communities, this seminary is committed to broadening ecumenical diversity within the community.

Luther Seminary is committed to educating women and men for the work of lay and ordained ministry within the Church of the 21st century. Through innovative course work, contextual educational experiences and peer discipleship groups, Luther Seminary provides all of its students with the tools necessary to pursue their Call into ministry.

Luther Seminary recognizes that the presence of and appreciation for persons from a variety of faith traditions is one of the strengths of an excellent theological education.

Ecumenical students ask important questions, challenge longstanding assumptions and contribute substantively to theological conversation. Students of all denominations benefit from greater ecumenical diversity at Luther Seminary.

We currently have students from a broad spectrum of the Christian heritage.

Ecumenical resources at Luther

The Dean of Students' staff includes an Ecumenical Coordinator who works to support ecumenical student concerns on campus. Debra brings her own ecumenical experiences to this position. She is an ordained clergywoman in the United Methodist Church and just completed a 10 year pastorate in a UMC in Brooklyn Park. In 1993 she received the M.Div. degree from LTS. She has also served as a lay woman and theological student in the ECFE, Covenant, Plymouth Brethren, and Baptist churches. She says that in all these places she saw God work in and through the people God calls to do the ministry of Christ in the world.

• Faculty and staff work with ecumenical students and denominational leaders to make sure that a Luther Seminary degree will be respected by the student's denomination.
   
• Ecumenical Partnership Scholarships are awarded each academic year to 5-10 M.A., M.Div., or M.S.M. students.
   
• FirstWeek (orientation for new students) includes a dinner for non-ELCA students as a way of introducing them to Luther Seminary and to each other.
   
• Students are invited to gather together informally throughout the school year to build relationships.