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21st Century mission challenges in the WORLD include:
A post modern generation that espouses very diverse and non-Christian views regarding God and their relationship to Him;
A culturally diverse nation comprising people groups not traditionally associated with The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS).
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21st Century mission challenges inthe CHURCH include:
A shrinking LCMS that has declined slowly, but steadily, in the numbers of its members and congregations during the past 30 years;
Fewer pastors and missionaries even as oportunities increase both at home and abroad; the clergy shortage is indeed real;
A need for pastors with skills that enable them to build meaningful relationships with people who are diverse both culturally and ideologically;
A diverse student body – single, married, married with families, not requiring significant financial support.
A dramatically different funding model for Seminary operations, changing from Synodical support to being dependent on direct gifts from individuals, congregations, and groups.
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Concordia Seminary is facing these challenges with confidence.
Is there any institution of our church Like Concordia Seminary...a magnificent campus dominated by Luther Tower, a faculty and student body that lives and studies the sacred scriptures and the Christ-centered theology of the Reformer, a venerable institution that has great good will with the people of the church who have been served by our more that 12,000 graduates?
Isn’t this the institution that should come to the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation in 2017 with unprecedented strength for the Savior’s mission?
This is the strength of continuing our faculty’s excellence in serving the church and world, the strength of a mission vision of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the financial strength to realize our dreams of service to Him.
Dr. Dale A. Meyer
President
