A New and Independent Lutheran Graduate School and Seminary
Sunday, November 15th, 2009
NRP has been following the development of a new and independent Lutheran graduate school and Seminary. This past week we were given the green light to share what we know with the public.
The new School is called the Wittenberg Institute and is located outside of Seattle, Washington. They are now accepting applications for the Fall 2010 semester. Admission is highly competitive. There will only be twenty slots open for the fall semester.
What makes this school so special? Why only twenty openings?
How about:
Free Tuition.
Free Room and Board.
Book Stipend.
Classes based on the English seminar model. You do the reading and research then meet with your prof in various formal and informal venues to discuss the subject at hand.
Super-low student to teacher ratio with an emphasis more along the lines of a mentoring relationship.
A rotating roster of visiting professors.
Some of those who are on deck to teach are:
Dr. James Nestingen
Dr. Rod Rosenbladt
Dr. Jeff Mallinson
Dr. Korey Maas
In addition to these brilliant men, Wittenberg Institute is engaged in talks with other world-class Reformation Scholars and theologians to become Fellows of the Institute and to teach there. (If you could see the list of names I am looking at, you would be super-excited too. WI is waiting for the final OK from these guys before they go public with all the names.)
How does this work?
The Wittenberg Institute is supported by a Consortium of congregations from across the Lutheran synodical spectrum. ELCA, LCMS, ELS and WELS congregations that are faithful to God’s word and to the Lutheran Confessions. At a time when many congregations are weary of denominational agendas being pushed through their respective educational institutions, the Wittenberg Institute offers an education steeped in the Scriptures and the Confessions that is independent of synodical political agendas and remains true to their Reformation Heritage. These congregations have access to all the resources of the Wittenberg Institute for continuing education, fellowship and networking. All publications and research done by the Think Tank attached to the Institute are made available to Consortium congregations.
What really sets this institution apart is its ethos. Here is an excerpt from their website.
“The goal is to create an “iron sharpening iron” opportunity for students and faculty. Faculty will determine subject material and guide conversation. Students will then take the information and the insight of the other students to hone the ideas studied. Students will not be asked to merely read and regurgitate. At the Wittenberg institute they will be asked to read and formulate. Formulate would mean that the ideas learned are converted into thoughts that the students can preach, teach, and defend. This happens best through the dialog that would occur in a small body of students dedicated to furthering their knowledge of the Word and the theology contained therein.
By being exposed to others who share the passion for God’s Word and the preaching and teaching of the Gospel the “iron” will be sharpened. In order for this to occur it will be necessary to provide opportunities not just for study, but also for true friendship. Only when the beer flows and the fishing line flies will the true conversations occur. Theology is not only worked out in classrooms or in studies. Theology is developed during late nights around a table, around backyard fires with friends, and while talking and casting the fly into the river. At the Wittenberg institute, the classroom will not be a border meant to keep students in. When confined to classrooms, students begin to believe that classrooms are important, not what is learned within. How do you teach a student the urgency of the gospel? You teach them to hone their skills with one another not only in the classroom, but also among the people.”
This is an amazing opportunity, one of which I wish I could avail myself. If you are interested in applying for admission, or if your congregation would be interested in becoming part of the Wittenberg Institute Consortium, contact the Institute here. Prospective students can request the WI catalog as a downloadable PDF file.
By Pat K
What is the purpose of this seminary? Is it to prepare seminarians for ordination and eventual placement in a congregation?
Students are wise to be wary of their synod’s denominational agendas, but those same synods will almost certainly not take any student trained at an independent Lutheran seminary!
Jeff,
The purpose of the Institute is to prepare scholars and Pastors for the Church. Wittenberg is in the process of talking with several of the major Seminaries to coordinate degree programs.
Furthermore, many of the Synods are congregational in polity. Technically, the congregations are able to call whomever they wish. The day is fast approaching, and even upon us in some synods, when congregations will determine which educational institutions they will recruit Pastors from. It won’t be the Synodical Label on the school, but the quality of men and the content of the education that will determine their choices.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by New Reformation Pres and New Reformation Pres, Josh Schroeder. Josh Schroeder said: Interesting! | RT @newrefpress: New & Independent Lutheran Grad School / Seminary. Yes, you heard right http://ow.ly/CEpl #Lutheran #TLuOT [...]
Interesting. Being that this is such a new project, I assume the Wittenberg Institute does not have any formal accreditation. Are steps being taken to become accredited?
Certain Lutheran denominations may be congregational in structure (my congregation’s constitution says that the congregation is “sovereign”) but they also require synodically trained pastors from within their fellowship.
Should the congregation choose to call a pastor from outside the fellowship, the denomination can take steps to sever the congregation’s membership.
A graduate from WI will probably need to go through a colloquy program if he wants a call within a given denomination.
I would add that this seminary might be a good place for post-seminary studies. In my denomination, those looking for an additional masters or doctoral program often go outside the synodical realm, particularly if they are serving a call that is not commuting distance to one of the seminaries.
I can’t think of anything more exciting. Do you think they would take Robert Barnes Anglicans?
A few answers to these interesting comments.
Jeff and Josh, Any academic institution seeking accreditation from an American accreditation agency is required to have graduated a class before it applies. Wittenberg Institute will look at the value of accreditation after we meet those requirements. Receiving doctorate level students from non-accredited programs is generally a non-issue. The Wittenberg Institute faculty and their recommendations will carry more weight than any of the theological accrediting boards.
Wittenberg Institute offers an M.Th. course and research based degree, and an M.Div. degree. For many students, the question of “placement” will be a non-issue. They simply want a solid, theological education whatever their intended vocation. Students seeking to be called to an ELCA or LCMS congregation as pastor will have additional requirements that we are unable and unwilling to offer (for example CPE or most of the “professional” courses for ministry). For those intending to be pastors in those denominations, we will recommend for them to do the M.Th. degree and then transfer to complete the internship/vicarage and final academic year at their “approved” denominational school. Wittenberg Institute will work with those denominational schools to receive the academic work completed at Wittenberg Institute in fulfillment of their courses in their catalogs.
For those denominations and congregations able to receive pastoral candidates directly, this is also a non-issue.
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Iggy, Wittenberg Institute has a great place for integrating congregations into the warp and wef of the school. Interested pastors should contact us to see about continuing and degree based education while in congregation.
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Jacob, we are unapologetically Lutheran, but enjoy conversations with all, particularly those who share in the Magisterial Reformation Tradition and those who share their theological legacy. There are many Anglicans who see the need for strong proclamation of Justification.
Hope this helps. You may contact me directly at aaron@wittenberginstitute.org with any further questions relating to the Institute.