The reason for being (raison d’etre) of the Concordia University System (CUS) is the incarnation, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. It is in Him that all knowledge can be rightly ordered and understood: “He is before all things and in Him all things hold together” (). This truth flows forth from the confession of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) that grace alone, faith alone, Scripture alone, and Christ alone are the pillars of the Christian faith as articulated in The Lutheran Confessions and the Book of Concord. The formal incorporation of the CUS in 1992 combined the historic ministry of Synod’s colleges and universities into a collaborative unit for the benefit and enrichment of all the schools. Each of the schools, from their founding, was “owned and operated” by the LCMS. The years since the 2019 Synod convention have been especially challenging for institutions of higher learning across North America. Societal and cultural forces that have created challenges include a demographic decline in the historic pool of prospective students, an increase in often intrusive accrediting and government regulations, the complex impact of distance education on all institutions, increasing economic challenges for students, and the competitive presence of junior colleges and cognate institutions. One overview suggests that between 2004 and 2020, some 826 colleges and universities closed. Thirty-five institutions were shuttered in 2021. The CUS was also impacted by these realities. Concordia University, Portland (2020) and Concordia College—New York (2021) were closed by their respective boards of regents due to legal insolvency (cf. [i][7]) despite generous efforts by the LCMS, the CUS, and the Lutheran Church Extension Fund to continue their ministries. Recruitment and financial challenges were simply too great. The CUS gives thanks for the long and distinguished histories of both of these institutions. It is impossible adequately to thank and recall the generations of dedicated administrators, professors, parents, and students who made up these communities of worship,
learning, music, sports, and camaraderie with the Christian and Lutheran faith at their center. Even as we mourn their closures, we rejoice over their many achievements and the manner in which impacted students were invited to transfer to sister Concordia universities. Another cause for thanksgiving is the superlative manner in which the Concordia universities navigated the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic. While many institutions suffered immense setbacks, the Concordia university presidents, with very different contextual challenges, deftly deployed both in-person and online instruction to serve their students and minimize losses. The ongoing health and vibrancy of our remaining institutions can be largely credited to capable and gifted new presidents who were installed in the last quadrennium: Dr. Eric Ankerberg at Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor; Dr. Bernard Bull at Concordia University, Nebraska; Dr. Russell Dawn at Concordia University Chicago; and Dr. Michael Thomas at Concordia University, Irvine. Thanks are also in order for the Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich’s splendid leadership of Concordia University, St. Paul, after his move from the presidency of Concordia University, Nebraska. While many schools of higher learning were established with explicitly Christian convictions but over time have lost any vestige of the Christian faith, these presidents promote and value the Christian and Lutheran faith by placing it at the center of campus life and learning. As evidence that the institutions of the CUS remain defined by and embedded in the witness of the church, the presidents and their boards of regents have expressed their solidarity with the church’s mission in an identity statement. This identity statement and supporting protocols will continue to define the universities in the 2023–2026 triennium. The church can rightly rejoice and give thanks for the following:
Lutheran Identity Standards for Concordia University Institutions As educational institutions of the LCMS, the colleges and universities of the CUS confess the faith of the church. The Concordias uphold the teachings of sacred Scripture and their articulation in the Lutheran Confessions. This includes the biblical teaching that Jesus Christ—true God and true man—is the sole way to God’s mercy and grace; that at the beginning of time the Triune God created all things; that life is sacred from conception to natural death; and that marriage between a man and a woman is a sacred gift of God’s creative hand—over against the reduction is tic assumptions of many in our culture who view men and women as only transitory and material beings. As educational institutions of the LCMS, the Concordias are committed to providing an excellent, robust curriculum in the liberal arts and professional studies, which together equip students for various vocations of service to church and society. As C.F.W. Walther wrote, “As long as and wherever the Christian church flourished, it always and everywhere proved itself to be a friend and cultivator of all good arts and sciences, gave its future servants a scholarly preparatory training, and did not disdain to permit its gifted youth at its schools of higher learning to be trained by the standard products of even pagan arts and science.” Accordingly, the colleges and universities of the CUS affirm and promise to uphold these identity standards:
Identity Statements—The institution’s mission statement (and/or vision statement) clearly identifies it as an LCMS institution, as do the institution’s primary print and electronic publications. Governing Board—All of the institution’s regents are active members in good standing of LCMS congregations (–3). Senior Leadership—The president and the senior leaders over academic student life, admissions, and athletics are active members in good standing of LCMS congregations, and faithfully participate in worship and religious activities on campus and in their local congregations. Faculty—Each tenure track or continuing-level faculty search is given optimal exposure among members of congregations of the LCMS to identity faculty who are qualified in their respective academic discipline and are members of LCMS congregations. Ideally, all faculty members are active members of LCMS congregations. When academically qualified LCMS members are not available, faculty members will be Christians who affirm, at minimum, the content of the Ecumenical Creeds and are members of Christian congregations. All faculty members promise to perform their duties in harmony with the truths of Holy Scripture, the Lutheran Confessions, and the doctrinal statements of the LCMS (). Theology Faculty—All theology faculty (full-time and part-time) are active members in good standing of LCMS congregations and fully affirm the theological confession of the LCMS. As the Synod Bylaws indicate, all full-time theology faculty receive prior approval from the CUS Board of Directors before being appointed or called ().
Campus Ministry—The institution offers regular opportunities for worship that reflect the confession of the church. Faculty, staff, and students are strongly encouraged to participate in these services. The institution calls a campus pastor or chaplain, who is a minister of religion—ordained of the LCMS, who oversees the worship life of the community, organizes opportunities for Christian service and witness, and provides pastoral care for students. Assessment of Institutional Commitment to Lutheran Identity—Each institution will submit an annual written report to the CUS Board of Directors describing, with evidence, how the institution meets the 10 Lutheran Identity Standards. The report will be endorsed by each respective board of regents and will be shared with the campus community.
CUS Institution Enrollment & Financial Data Academic Year Headcount Enrollment
- Data collection by CUS changed to prior-year full-year data collection with the reports. ** CUP last reported in AY 18–19 data and CCNY last reported in AY 20–21 data. Lutheran Students (Self-Reported)*
Academic Freedom and Responsibility—All full-time faculty acknowledge their acceptance of the CUS statement of Academic Freedom and Responsibilities. All faculty, both full- and part-time, pledge to perform their duties in harmony with Scripture, the Confessions and the Synod’s doctrinal statements (). Faith and Learning—In accordance with the doctrine of the two kingdoms, all faculty strive to faithfully bring Lutheran theology into interaction with their various academic disciplines while respecting the integrity of those disciplines. Likewise, in other campus arenas, faculty, staff, and administrators will seek to apply Lutheran theology within their campus vocations. Required Theology Courses—The institution requires two to three theology courses for an undergraduate degree, typically in Old Testament, New Testament, and Christian doctrine. Because these courses are directly related to the theological identity of CUS institutions and to the identity formation of graduates, these theology courses will normally be taken at a CUS institution. Exceptions to this will be approved by the institution’s called theological faculty. Preparation of Church Workers—The institution provides resources to recruit, form, nurture, and place students preparing for professional church work in the LCMS (e.g., pre-seminary, pre-deaconess, deaconess, Lutheran teachers, DCEs, DCOs, DPMs, etc.). Specific programs may vary by campus.
- Includes graduate and undergraduate students. Church-Vocations Students*
Scholarships and Financial Aid by Institutions for Four Years Ending June 30, 2022
- Includes graduate students seeking certification and roster ed workers pursuing graduate degrees. Placement of Ministers of Religion—Commissioned 2019–2022*
- Includes colloquy placements. ** Reflects program/category name change at Concordia University Wisconsin.
Church Worker Financial Aid by Institution Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2022
CUEnet Update
The Concordia University Education Network (CUEnet), a cooperative operation of the Concordia University institutions to provide online colloquy education for teachers continues its work under the umbrella of the CUS. Since the 2019 convention, many staff changes have taken place. Long-time Senior Director, the Rev. Dr. Ray Halm, was called to glory. Dr. Heather Stueve accepted a call, and two additional staff members have departed. The presidents of the CUS institutions are currently evaluating the operation of CUEnet and working to enhance the programs being offered. This is being done in light of a comprehensive review of CUEnet that also transpired during the triennium. Following is data related to CUEnet’s students, placements, and operations.
areas and encourage all non-roster ed faculty to participate in the colloquy program and there by increase the number of roster ed workers while promoting the training of students through the various graduate programs, especially in education and in other ministry areas. 4.
Recommend to all students—whatever religious background—the Reformation truths of sola gratia, sola fidei, sola Scriptura while challenging materialism, pluralism, rationalism, and other worldviews that contradict the scriptural portrait of man and woman as the apex of God’s creation and the object of His love and mercy in sending His Son, Jesus Christ, as Savior.
5. Present and promote the sanctity of life by underscoring the fact that men and women are created in the image of God and merit care and protection from conception to natural death by their very nature as His creatures.
6. Present and promote the beauty and goodness of marriage between a man and a woman as God’s sacred order to be lived out in love and lifelong fidelity while also affirming the nobility and virtue of the vocation to a single life in service to God and neighbor.
7. Accent the quality of instruction in the liberal arts and professional programs as an expression of gratitude for God’s gift of wisdom and knowledge in a life that is spent in service to God and our neighbor.
8. Increase communication and collaboration between the colleges and universities, especially in the areas of distance education and recruitment while reaching out to collaborate with other ministries of the church: Urban Ministry, Rural Ministry, Partners Abroad, etc.
Total Enrolled Teacher Colloquy Students
*Not including non-teacher colloquy applicants in enrollment. **I have sent 21 files to the universities for interviews, but I have not received interview assessments back yet. *** 2019 numbers are for the whole year. Total Operational Expense and Total Income
A Special and Urgent Matter: Concordia University Texas
Goals for the Concordia University System in the Triennium—2023–2026 Completely dependent on the grace and mercy of the Triune God, the CUS seeks to achieve these goals in the coming triennium of the LCMS: 1.
Ensure and defend the freedom of CUS colleges and universities to teach in accord with the church’s confession and require ethical behavior based on that confession on the part of faculty, staff, and students through full implementation of the “Identity Statement” and its protocols in both on campus and distance-education programs.
2. Increase the number of church work students by at least one-third through multiple efforts to highlight the rewarding and noble calling of service to Christ and His church in parochial education, public education, and international education. Simultaneously, increase the number of LCMS students by one-third.
3. Enhance the recruitment and development of LCMS faculty by at least 10 percent throughout the system in all program
The CUS board regrets to inform the delegates to the 2023 Synod convention of an unprecedented action that was taken by the board majority of Concordia University Texas (CTX) though a significant minority voted against such an action on or about Nov. 8, 2022. Without the approval of the CUS board, the board majority purportedly adopted a governance model in an attempt to transform its governance into a self-governing and self-perpetuating board completely independent of the CUS and the LCMS and delivered its newly adopted governance documents to the Texas Secretary of State. Previously, on Nov. 4, 2022, the CUS board considered CTX governance documents and was preparing a complete analysis and response to send to the Board of Regents of CTX, only to learn that the Board of Regents had acted on Nov. 8 without our approval or input. The Board of Regents proposed and purportedly approved a governing model, namely a self-perpetuating, autonomous, and completely independent board separate from the CUS and the LCMS. In response, and acting in accord with the protocols of , the CUS Board of Directors’ representatives orally made a presentation to the Board of Regents of CTX on Jan. 12, 2023, seeking repentance and a reversal of the actions taken by the Board of Regents. The CUS Board subsequently communicated with the Board of Regents with the sincere hope and prayer that they would reconsider and reverse their action for the sake of the church and for the sake of CTX, her faculty, staff, and students.
tional opportunities outside its local context, that seek it out for Kingdom work.
As of the writing of this report, the Board of Regents has not yet reversed its action. As Synod reminds, “Christian conflict resolution seeks to resolve issues in a manner pleasing to God. Those in conflict are urged to proceed prayer fully in good faith and trust. Disputes are more likely to be resolved harmoniously if those involved in the conflict recognize one another as redeemed children of God,” that is, when we truly love one another as described in , 11 (KJV), “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. … Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.”
- A failure to emphasize compliance with the doctrine and practice of the LCMS is a departure from what we as a church body believe, teach, confess, and do. This increases the likelihood of mere shallow compliance with Article II of the Synod’s Constitution. If there is any phrase that captures the depth and entirety of the Synod’s confessional position, its heart and soul, it is the phrase “the Synod’s doctrine and practice,” which includes the entire Synod Handbook and also its official doctrinal resolutions and statements, a phrase referred to no less than 16 times throughout the Handbook (Articles of Incorporation II c; Const. Art. XI B 2–3; Bylaws 2.14.5 [d]; 2.14.7.8 [f]; 2.15.7.8 [f]; 2.16.7.6 [f]; 2.17.5 [d]; 3.6.6.4 [e]; 3.6.6.5 [e]; 3.10.6.4 [e]; 3.6.6.5 [e]; 3.10.6.4 [i] [9]; 4.1.5; 4.8.1 [b]; 6.2.1; 6.2.2.2 [c][1]; and 6.1.3 [f]).
- The Board of Regents is to act as an “agent of the Synod” and as “custodian of the Synod’s property” (Bylaws 1.2.1 [a] and [r]; 3.10.6.4 [i]; 3.10.6.4 [i][1]; and 3.10.6.5). And as with all officers and agencies of the Synod, they “shall be accountable to the Synod for all their actions, and any concerns regarding the decisions of such officers and agencies may be brought to the attention of the Synod in convention for appropriate action” (Bylaw 1.4.1).
- Finally, the Board of Regents acted less than two months after finally providing CUS with CTX’s completed proposal, there by bypassing Bylaw 3.6.6.4 (i), and on Nov. 8, 2022, voted to separate from the Synod through the purported adoption of revisions to its governance documents.
and 1.10.1.6 get to the very heart of the matter, providing wise counsel for Christians in dispute: Christians involved in conflict must always stand ready to ask for or extend forgiveness in accordance with Scripture. As the church endeavors to help bring about peace, truth, justice, and reconciliation, it always seeks to do so with a proper distinction between Law and Gospel, that is, in the context of God’s judgment and mercy. We are ever to be mindful that it is God who judges the hearts of sinful men and grants His gracious word of forgiveness to us all. When there is repentance and reconciliation, the body of Christ rejoices in its oneness with Christ and with one another. It is this love for each other, founded upon the love of God that is ours in Christ, that brought CUS to Austin to meet with the CTX regents and leadership. CUS’s stated goal for the meeting was to seek repentance and, there by, reconciliation. Here are some of the reasons for this call to repentance. • CTX’s governance document changes are not an “alignment with the Synod.” CTX has been aligned with our Synod for nearly 100 years. Instead, the governance document revisions move CTX toward becoming separate from and un aligned with the Synod. Along with this, the governance documents provide subscriptions to Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions that are not whole in CUS’s view, much like that of so many other so-called Lutheran church bodies and educational institutions whose good intentions have ultimately lacked the depth of conviction to be able to withstand over time the pressures and even persecutions of an increasingly godless society.
- An attempt to distance the university from our Synod occurs throughout certain documents shared with the CUS Board. In particular, they omit all references to the doctrine and practice of our Synod, creating distance from the Synod. The university retains sole power for it to do all that is necessary or desirable to carry out its goals and purposes, this contrary to one of an LCMS university’s primary duties clearly stated in Synod Bylaw 3.10.6.1, that is, “the defining and fulfilling of the mission of the institution within the broad assignment of the Synod.”
- The documentation provided to the CUS Board further appears to direct the university’s focus away from the Synod toward: (a) LCMS entities such as congregations, schools, and organizations; (b) the Texas District; (c) the greater Austin Christian community (as a partner in the work of the church’s mission across the region); and (d) national/interna-
For the last three Synod conventions (2013, 2016, 2019), the
Synod has received overtures and resolutions that have requested that CUS schools draw closer to the Synod in doctrine and practice. All of these resolutions were adopted by more than 90 percent of the delegates at those conventions. While most CUS schools have already moved in that direction, the purported changes in CTX’s governance documents move CTX in precisely the opposite direction through the removal of LCMS theological oversight. While offering to “align” with the Texas District, CTX’s proposed governance documents describe an independent, self-perpetuating board with an expanded presidential authority, leaving the LCMS with little if any means to assure theological integrity. CTX was founded in 1926 by members of the Lutheran, Texas, Wendish, immigrant community. One of their number, John Killian, was also the founder of the first Texas Lutheran Church that was a member of the LCMS. For 96 years, Missouri Synod Lutherans have sent their children and their gifts to constitute and result in the present campus and university operations. Those generations of Lutherans assumed that their support would further the higher educational mission of the LCMS and nurture students in the doctrine and practice of the Church. The church is indebted to these saints and has a sacred obligation to preserve and enhance their investment. Beyond this ecclesial solidarity with previous generations of confessing Lutherans, CTX occupies a strategic location for the present and future witness of the LCMS. The city of Austin is at the epicenter of economic and demographic growth in the United States. CTX is the only campus that the LCMS has in the southern portion of the United States and provides an irreplaceable platform for proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ and sharing the full counsel of God in Sacred Scripture. Historically, the LCMS gave birth to CTX; presently, CTX is called to be faithful to her mother, to the church’s confession, and to the church’s practice.
- In 2020, CUC celebrated the 40th anniversary of the deaconess program, the only undergraduate deaconess studies program in the Synod.
The preceding analyses should demonstrate that any suggestion of separation from the LCMS is without fiduciary clarity and theological merit. We sincerely hope and pray that the CTX Board of Regents will even now willingly reverse its stated course and remain an important member of the CUS.
- In 2022, CUC was blessed with a strong class of new pre seminary students—one of the highest enrollments in years.
- CUC is proud to regularly host synodical, district, Recognized Service Organization, and other affiliated conferences such as: Theology Professor’s Conference, Northern Illinois District (NID) Convention, NID Joint Pastors Conference, NID Educators Conference, NID Educational Administrators Conference, NID Circuit Gatherings, Issues Etc. Making the Case Conference, Higher Things, and Lutheran Sports Association.
- In February 2023, the university hosted the Board for the International Lutheran Council, a worldwide association of established confessional Lutheran church bodies which proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the basis of an unconditional commitment to the Holy Scriptures as the inspired and infallible Word of God, and to the Lutheran Confessions contained in the Book of Concord as the true and faithful exposition of the Word of God.
- Rev. Dr. Chad Kendall was named Associate Provost for Mission & Identity in late 2022. He will play a key role in ensuring that the university continues to live out its mission faithfully. His responsibilities include recruiting qualified, mission-minded faculty and administrators, as well as leading employee development in regard to the intersection of faith and the academic enterprise.
- In 2022, Concordia Chicago launched its Mission & Identity Program for faculty development in Lutheran distinctives and their importance in higher education.
- Campus Ministry continues to provide opportunities for students to receive God’s gifts and be a part of a rich community of faith, including: