I share a lot about our students here at Luther Seminary, and for good reason. This month, I want to share a glimpse of our remarkable faculty.

We have a rich variety of faculty who are thought leaders, some of whom are world class scholars, some who are leading in their field, some who are deeply engaged in faith formation in communities, some who are gleaning wisdom through research in rural communities, some who are deeply engaged in parts of the global church, some who are leading in digital spaces, some who are artists, business leaders, pastors, lay leaders. They are an amazing group of leaders for the church, mentors to students, and colleagues who are shaping the next generation of pastors.

They are also—since well before the pandemic and, of course, throughout its duration and up to today—flexible and innovative partners in rethinking how we deliver theological education. Given the variety of students we serve, and the need to continue offering in-person, hybrid, and online learning, equipping our students with a single curriculum is a challenge. Our faculty have reworked the seminary curriculum multiple times in recent years in order to meet the needs of a changing world, a changing church, and changing learners. And the digital resources produced by Luther Seminary are a key way that we are able to share our faculty’s scholarship throughout the church, especially to the many who lead congregations but feel alone in their work.

Some of the resources built on our faculty’s scholarship might be of particular interest to you in this season of the year. A good example is Matthew Skinner’s new book “Voices of Advent,” which leads us through biblical narratives and helps us understand how they shape our lives and prepare us for our Christmas celebrations. Our Advent devotional “Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding!” includes reflections from faculty members Cody Sanders and Steve Thomason.

How do we provide education for leaders who will serve the many kinds of congregations we have across the church? Part of our answer is continuing to be an institution where excellent scholarship and teaching happens and where our faculty and curriculum are integrated into the ongoing life of the church—shaping vital conversations and leading deep exploration of theological issues for a modern world.

We are grateful to our faculty for directing their scholarly work toward the church and toward the edification of the body of Christ. And we are grateful to all of you for your support of Luther Seminary.

Peace,
Robin Steinke
President

Read other installments in our series on why the church needs Luther Seminary in this moment:
A New Chapter for Luther Seminary – June 2025
Expanding Our Mission – July 2025
Our Mission Endures – August 2025
A Sense of Purpose and Place – September 2025
A Larger Story – October 2025