LCC Seminaries Hold Joint Board of Regents Meeting
EDMONTON – The Boards of Regents of Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (CLTS) in St. Catharines, Ontario, and Concordia Lutheran Seminary (CLS) in Edmonton met jointly February 2-3, 2016 at CLS’ campus in Edmonton.
Significant time was devoted each day to board development (urged by the Association of Theological Schools) with In Trust consultant Dr. Rebekah Basinger. The focus of these governance development steps was on how the board structure and action must align with synodical goals for theological education. Each board is to provide policy and governance direction so that its seminary …
CLS community returns to seminary building following fire
EDMONTON – On November 25, the staff and students of Concordia Lutheran Seminary officially returned to the seminary building. The building had been closed following a November 12 fire in the library basement.
“Psalm 137:3 reflects the spirit of what we’ve gone through,” explains seminary President James Gimbel in a recent letter. “Like those in Babylonian exile, it is hard to ‘sing one of the songs of Zion … in a foreign land.’ It just isn’t the same. Yet we are thankful that we can sing praise to God, who is …
Positions (December 2014)
Available positions include nursing faculty, financial-aid counselor, theology professor and more.(Read more…)
An update on the seminary fire
NOTE (November 26, 2014): The seminary community has since returned to their building.
On November 12, Concordia Lutheran Seminary (CLS) in Edmonton suffered a fire in the library basement. The fire was later deemed to have been not accidental in origin, and classes resumed offsite. CLS President James Gimbel provides an update on the seminary’s situation in the letter that follows:
by James Gimbel
Grace and peace to you all through our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!
James begins his epistle referring to himself as “a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ,” …
Seminary fire not accidental, classes resume offsite
NOTE (November 26, 2014): The seminary community has since returned to their building.
NOTE (November 20, 2014): President James Gimbel has provided a new update on the seminary fire and recovery efforts.
EDMONTON – President James Gimbel of Concordia Lutheran Seminary (CLS) has released a letter updating supporters on the fire that occurred in the library basement there the evening of November 12. “Sadly,” he explains, “it appears that the fire was neither accidental nor structural” in origin.
Sadly, it appears that the fire was neither accidental nor structural.
“We are so thankful to …
Fire at Concordia Lutheran Seminary
EDMONTON – On the evening of November 12, a fire broke out in the library basement of Concordia Lutheran Seminary.
President James Gimbel reports that there is “very little structural damage” resulting from the fire. However, he notes that “there is significant soot along with smoke damage throughout the library, the hallways and open areas up and down, and some in the classrooms. Faculty and staff offices seem to be fairly clean.”
President Gimbel further reports that the fire has been labeled suspicious and that it is being investigated. An insurance claim …
LCC seminaries call faculty members
CANADA – Lutheran Church–Canada’s two seminaries are each calling a new full-time faculty member.
Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (St. Catharines, Ontario) is seeking a Professor of Theology, to take office in July 2015. The preferred candidate will have a specialty in Dogmatics or Old Testament. View the complete call for applications here.
Concordia Lutheran Seminary (Edmonton) is seeking a faculty member specializing in Systematic Theology, but able to teach in other disciplines as well. A call will be issued in May 2015, with the successful candidate to begin service at the seminary …
Love Life Conference to address euthanasia
EDMONTON – Preparations are underway for the 9th Annual Love Life Conference, with Alex Schadenberg—who serves as Executive Director and International Chair of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition—serving as keynote speaker of the event. The conference is scheduled for November 1 in Edmonton.
Executive Director Schadenberg will give two keynote addresses throughout the day. The first will be on “Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide: What Is It, What Is It Not, and Where Is It Going?” His second address will be on “Exposing Vulnerable People to Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide.” The day will …
CLS requests submissions for honourary degrees and awards
EDMONTON – The faculty and Board of Regents of Concordia Lutheran Seminary invite individuals, congregations, and Boards of Lutheran Church-Canada to submit the names of persons to be considered for one of the seminary’s honorary degrees and awards.
The purpose of these honorary degrees and awards is to acknowledge outstanding service to the church, the seminary, and the community. Available degrees are: Doctor of Laws (LL.D), Doctor of Letters (Litt.D.), Doctor of Divinity (D.D.). Available awards are: Faith in Life, Friend of the Seminary, Doulos Dia Iesoun. A description of the …
LCC Missionary in Ukraine arrives for studies in Edmonton
EDMONTON – Rev. Alexey Navrotskyy arrived in Edmonton, along with his wife Vika and their two children, in early September to begin studies at Concordia Lutheran Seminary (CLS). He began classes September 15.
Rev. Navrotksyy is a missionary for Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) in Ukraine, where he serves with the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU). He graduated from Concordia Seminary in Odessa, Ukraine, a seminary program operated by LCC. His graduate studies in Edmonton will prepare him to help serve as an instructor at the Odessa seminary in the …
Celebrating Seminaries Sunday
CANADA – While Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) no longer designates a specific day “Seminaries Sunday,” synod nevertheless encourages its congregations to remember the two seminaries with prayers and offerings. LCC congregations may wish to do so by celebrating one Sunday of their choosing “Seminaries Sunday.”
To that end, Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (CLTS – St. Catharines, Ontario) and Concordia Lutheran Seminary (CLS – Edmonton) provides a number of congregational resources for Seminaries Sunday. CLS and CLTS encourage churches to use the propers appointed for the day, but congregations may also wish to …
Seminaries welcome new students as 2014-2015 school year begins
CANADA – September marked the beginning of a new school year for both of Lutheran Church–Canada’s (LCC) seminaries. The seminaries’ shared theme for this academic year comes from the writings of St. Paul: “Train yourself for godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7).
Concordia Lutheran Seminary (CLS) was first to hold its opening service, doing so during regular chapel on September 2. CLS President James Gimbel preached at the event, which marked the beginning of the 31st academic year at CLS. Among the guests were members of the Stony Plain Circuit, who were meeting …
Convention Election Results
VANCOUVER – Yesterday, The Canadian Lutheran published the results of the presidential and vice-presidential elections at Lutheran Church–Canada’s National Convention. What follows are the rest of the election results from Synod’s Convention.
Board of Directors:
Cindy Sholdice (Central)
Arnold Drung (East)
Alan Schmitt (East)
Rev. Kurt Reinhardt
Commission for Theology and Church Relations:
Rev. Joel Kuhl (East)
Rev. James Heinbuch (East)
Cliff Pyle (Central)
Commission for Adjudication
Rev. Harold Borchardt (Central)
Rev. Richard Frey (East)
Deacon Monica Schultz (ABC)
Board of Regents of Concordia Lutheran Seminary
Rev. Daryl Solie (Central)
Rev. Scott Lyons (ABC)
Ian Lande (ABC)
Board of Regents of Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary
Rev. Cameron Schnarr (Central)
Rev. …
Watch LCC’s seminaries’ convocation services live online
ONLINE – As Lutheran Church-Canada’s (LCC) seminaries prepare for this year’s sacred convocation ceremonies, they want LCC members to know that if they cannot attend in person they can still take part online.
Concordia Lutheran Seminary (Edmonton) will hold its Sacred Convocation service May 30 at 7:00 p.m. in the Tegler Centre of Concordia University College of Alberta. Those wishing to follow along online should visit http://www.concordiasem.ab.ca/CLSTV.php.
Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (St. Catharines, Ontario) will hold its annual Call Service May 31 at 4:00 p.m. at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church (St. Catharines). …
LCC seminaries prepare for convocation services, announce award recipients
CANADA – Lutheran Church–Canada’s (LCC) seminaries are preparing for this year’s sacred convocation ceremonies.
Concordia Lutheran Seminary (Edmonton) will hold its Sacred Convocation service May 30 at 7:00 p.m. in the Tegler Centre of Concordia University College of Alberta. The seminary will celebrate the program completion of colloquy candidate, Rev. Alvin Oberhammer; announce the vicarage assignments for three students; award the Doctor of Divinity degree, honoris causa, to Bishop Hans-Jörg Voigt of Germany’s Independent Evangelical Lutheran Church; and present the Doulos dia Iesoun (Servant for Jesus’ sake) award to Rev. Larry …
CLS installs new president
EDMONTON – On February 2, Rev. Dr. James Gimbel was installed as the sixth President of Concordia Lutheran Seminary (CLS). The service took place at 7:00 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church.
Lutheran Church–Canada’s President Robert Bugbee performed the installation, while First Vice-President Nolan Astley preached. Rev. Daryl Solie, Chairman of CLS’ Board of Regents, served as officiant. The event saw Rev. Lorne Manweiler serve as organist, with special music by the Concordia Community Chorus and strings ensemeble La Folia. Lectors included ABC District President Don Schiemann, CLS Academic Dean Stephen Chambers, …
Lachish Expedition 2014
ISRAEL – Concordia Lutheran Seminary (CLS) extends an open invitation to all Lutheran Church–Canada pastors, deacons, and church-members to take part in its 2014 expedition to Israel under the direction of Rev. Dr. Stephen Chambers.
This year’s group will be based at Lachish, about 40 km SW of Jerusalem, instead of its usual base at Hippos, where previous CLS teams helped excavate a Byzantine church-complex. This spectacular Old Testament-era dig at Lachish (tenth to ninth century B.C.) is under the overall direction of Dr. Josef Garfinkel of Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
The …
Dr. Gimbel accepts call to serve as CLS President
EDMONTON – Concordia Lutheran Seminary has announced that Rev. Dr. James Gimbel has accepted the call to serve as the seminary’s President, with plans to begin in January 2014.
“I have completed deliberating on the Call,” Dr. Gimbel wrote in an email to staff and faculty at the seminary, “and after serious conversations, prayer, and fasting, I strongly believe that God is leading me to accept the call you have extended for me to serve Concordia Lutheran Seminary as President.”
“Thank you for your conversations and prayers,” he continued, “and I look …
Edmonton seminary calls new president
EDMONTON – The Board of Regents of Concordia Lutheran Seminary (CLS) has extended a call to Rev. Dr. James R. Gimbel to become its next president. The action was taken after the seminary’s electors conducted interviews and cast their votes on Friday, October 25.
Dr. Gimbel has served as a professor at Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota, since 2002, where he has done extensive work in leadership and management. Prior to that he was a senior editor of youth, family, and Sunday School materials for Concordia Publishing House in St. Louis. In addition to these …
CLS calls for award nominations
EDMONTON – The faculty and Board of Regents of Concordia Lutheran Seminary (Edmonton) invite individuals, congregations, and Boards of Lutheran Church-Canada to submit the names of persons to be considered for one of the seminary’s honorary degrees and awards.
The purpose of these honorary degrees and awards is to acknowledge outstanding service to the church, the seminary, and the community. Available degrees are: Doctor of Laws (LL.D), Doctor of Letters (Litt.D.), Doctor of Divinity (D.D.). Available awards are: Faith in Life, Friend of the Seminary, Doulos Dia Iesoun. A description of the awards …
Seminaries Sunday resources now available (LCC)
CANADA – Resources for Seminaries Sunday are now available for Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) congregations to download.
LCC no longer designates a specific day of the year as “Seminaries Sunday,” but encourages congregations to select a Sunday in which to remember the two seminaries with prayers and offerings. The church encourages the use of the Propers appointed for the day, but congregations may wish to also make use of the seminaries’ joint theme verse for the year:
“So, then, you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow-citizens with the saints …
LCC’s seminaries begin new year
CANADA – Sunday, September 8 marked the opening of the new academic year for Lutheran Church–Canada’s (LCC) two seminaries.
In St. Catharines, Ontario, Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (CLTS) held its opening worship service the afternoon of September 8 in the seminary’s chapel, with President Thomas Winger preaching. At CLTS’ opening service, Rev. Ronald Towriss (Port Moody, British Columbia) was named as this year’s recipient of the Emeritus Crucis (Veteran of the Cross) award. The Emeritus Crucis is bestowed upon parish pastors for faithful service as recommended by their districts. Rev. Towriss …
Final list of CLS presidential nominees
EDMONTON – Concordia Lutheran Seminary has announced the final list of candidates nominated for President, and their responses. In total, six candidates have accepted the nomination for President: Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann, Rev. Dr. James Gimbel, Rev. Dr. James Keller, Rev. Dr. John Maxfield, Rev. Dr. Joseph Randrianasolo, and Rev. Dr. Glenn Schaeffer.
Rev. Dr. Scott Ashmon (Irvine, California) – declined
Rev. Dr. Richard Beinert (Winnipeg, Manitoba) – declined
Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann (St. Louis, Missouri) – accepted
Rev. Dr. Robert Bugbee (Winnipeg, Manitoba) – declined
Rev. Dr. Steve Chambers (Edmonton, Alberta) – declined
Rev. Dr. …
CLS to offer Systematic Theology course online
ONLINE – Concordia Lutheran Seminary (Edmonton) is offering an introductory Systematics class, SYS 100 Theological Method, via blended delivery, beginning on Thursday, September 19th.
Blended delivery means that the course will be available to distant students online, regardless of physical location, as well as to residential students in Edmonton.
The course is taught in two components: (1) online structured discussion forums; and (2) weekly 1-1/2 hour seminar that meets via live videoconference every Thursday night from 6:00 to 7:30 pm (MST).
The description for the course is as follows: “SYS 100 Theological Method …
Study Biblical Hebrew online
ONLINE – Concordia Lutheran Seminary (Edmonton) has announced it will be offering an Online Biblical Hebrew course beginning in September. This full year, distance, non-credit course will be led by Professor Jonathan Kraemer, and begins September 4. Students will work on their own and meet weekly via video-conference.
“Where you are a pre-seminary student needing your language requirement, a pastor brushing up, or an interested layperson, you are invited to join an upcoming non-credit Biblical Hebrew course at Concordia Lutheran Seminary,” reads promotional materials. “The course’s core content is provided by …