CTS-FW Receives Highest Ratings from Accrediting Agencies

[D. Engebretson]

This came through in my FB news feed today.  In light of our previous discussions of the need for two seminaries and the viability of two seminaries during these times of academic institutional uncertainty, this was very good news for Ft. Wayne. 

Exciting news! Thank you for all of your support! Join us in praising the Lord!
Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana Receives Highest Ratings from Accrediting Agencies
The administration and Board of Regents of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana (CTSFW) are pleased to announce that CTSFW has again received full accreditation from the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) for the next ten years – the longest term the accrediting agencies can approve. “This ten-year reaffirmation of accreditation builds upon the strength of the ten-year reaffirmation achieved in 2010,” said President Lawrence R. Rast, Jr. “Both commissions recognized CTSFW’s strong sense of mission and identity.”
“Both visitation teams commended the culture of assessment that informs integrated planning,” noted Prof. Robert Roethemeyer, Vice President of Strategic Planning and Mission Execution and self-study chair. “These are great characteristics to celebrate in this 175th year of forming pastors, deaconesses, and other servants of Jesus Christ for the congregations and service organizations of The LCMS and beyond.”
The accreditors noted that CTSFW’s “mission and [Lutheran] identity permeate, animate, and guide the school and are supported by a strong sense of community.” They also complimented the seminary for “exceptional financial stewardship and generosity of the seminary’s constituency (both local and global) that make it possible for students to graduate with manageable debt.”
The tremendous amount of work that goes into preparing an institutional self-study of this magnitude allows the Seminary to celebrate and build upon its strengths and recognize areas for potential growth and improvement. President Rast commented, “The 2020 Institutional Self-Study provides a foundation for our next deep dive into strategic planning, which will align the seminary’s budget to the plan and engage the full seminary community in its creation and implementation. This cycle of planning and assessment frees CTSFW to embrace new opportunities and challenges and build on what it means to be distinctively Lutheran, community-oriented, and committed to excellence.” Rast further noted, “CTSFW is planning for the future by assessing broad external influences and partnerships. In the coming years, CTSFW will engage the broader Synod to partner in the development of a plan for the future of pastoral and diaconal formation in the LCMS.”
“In spite of the challenges we have all experienced this past year, there is much to celebrate,” said Dr. Charles A. Gieschen, Academic Dean. “The reports that we have received from ATS and HLC are great affirmations from widely-respected accreditors of the excellence and integrity of all that God is doing through CTSFW on a daily basis to form more servants in Jesus Christ who teach the faithful, reach the lost, and care for all.”
For more information on how you can support the work and mission of Concordia Theological Seminary, visit www.ctsfw.edu.

[Dave Benke]

Great news!  Blessings and congratulations to Larry Rast, whose durable leadership has brought this to pass in tough times, and who has assembled a quality team.

Dave Benke

[Michael Slusser]

Congratulations to CTS Fort Wayne. Those accreditations are valuable in numerous ways.

I was struck by President Rast's remark

Rast further noted, “CTSFW is planning for the future by assessing broad external influences and partnerships. In the coming years, CTSFW will engage the broader Synod to partner in the development of a plan for the future of pastoral and diaconal formation in the LCMS.”

He and President Egger will want to have some good conversations.

Peace,
Michael