- Concordia Seminary - https://www.csl.edu -

Who Attends Concordia Seminary?

Concordia Seminary began the 2003-04 academic year with its largest incoming class in 32 years. A total of 178 new residential students preparing to serve in the pastoral ministry in The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS) marked a 44% increase over last year’s incoming class and continued a trend of dramatically increasing enrollment. Concordia Seminary’s current enrollment, 730 students, distinguishes it as one of the 25 largest seminaries of any Christian denomination in the United States.

Each year, the admissions office at Concordia Seminary prepares an analysis of the incoming class according to numerous criteria. Such an analysis is helpful in defining enrollment trends. The analysis of the 2003-04 incoming class reveals the following data:

The surging enrollment at Concordia Seminary began four years ago when the Seminary’s Board of Regents took the bold step of initiating a full-tuition partnership for all residential students preparing to serve as pastors in the LCMS. This partnership involves a student’s home congregation, home district, and gifts from donors to Concordia Seminary in covering tuition costs. “The people of the church have also played a large role in this enrollment increase as they have provided not only their prayers, but also the financial resources necessary to cover tuition costs for our future pastors,” commented Rev. Glen Thomas, the Seminary’s vice president for seminary relations. “Yet, the incredible enrollment surge has produced a daunting fiscal challenge and we appeal to congregations, groups and individuals throughout the church to continue their generous support of our future pastors.”

Those contemplating seminary enrollment and preparation to serve in the pastoral ministry are invited to contact Concordia Seminary’s admissions office at 1-800-822-9545, or [email protected] [1].

Those wishing to offer financial gifts in support of future pastors may contact the Seminary’s development office at 1-800-822-5287, or [email protected] [2]. Donors may also utilize the Seminary’s online donation function on its Web site (https://www.csl.edu/donate.htm [3]). A credit card may be used to make an offering for the full-tuition partnership.

For more information, contact Communications, Concordia Seminary, 801 DeMun Ave., St. Louis, MO 63105; 314.505.7374; [email protected] [4].

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