Concordia Theological Seminary

Lutheran seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S.

Not to be confused with Concordia Seminary or Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary.

Concordia Theological Seminary

Type| Seminary
Established| 1846; 179 years ago (1846)

Religious affiliation

| Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod
President| Jon S. Bruss[1]

Academic staff

| 26[2]
Students| 279[3]
Location|

Fort Wayne

Indiana

United States

41°8′21.6″N 85°6′32.8″W﻿ / ﻿41.139333°N 85.109111°W﻿ / 41.139333; -85.109111
Campus| Major city, 191 acres (77 ha)
Website| www.ctsfw.edu

Concordia Theological Seminary is a Lutheran seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It offers professional, master's degrees, and doctoral degrees affiliated with training clergy and deaconesses for the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS).

## History

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### Formation in Fort Wayne

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In 1844, Frederick C. D. Wyneken, pastor of the Lutheran church in Fort Wayne, Indiana, began pastoral training of two young men. Wyneken took a call in 1845 to a congregation in Baltimore, Maryland, and was replaced by Wilhelm Sihler, who continued the training. Wyneken had earlier written to Wilhelm Loehe in Germany, requesting help in providing pastors for German Lutheran immigrants to the United States, and in August 1846 eleven theological students and their instructor arrived in Fort Wayne, having been sent by Loehe. The seminary was formally organized at that time, with Sihler becoming the first president. Classes were held in the parsonage, and a four-room house was rented for use as a dormitory.[4]

Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1860

The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod was organized in 1847, and in response to the new synod's request, Loehe transferred ownership of the seminary to the synod. He continued to support the seminary by sending money, books, and students from Germany. Two years later the seminary purchased 14 acres (5.7 ha) about 1 mile (1.6 km) east of Fort Wayne and erected the first building on its new campus.[4]

Within the synod the seminary was referred to as the "practical seminary" because its purpose was to quickly provide pastors for congregations. It provided both pre-seminary and seminary instruction. The pre-seminary course of work was similar to that of a high school, and the seminary classes provided enough theological training to enable the graduates to serve the congregations. However, the seminary did not require knowledge of the Biblical languages (Greek and Hebrew).

### Relocation to St. Louis

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Concordia Seminary building in St Louis, Missouri on June 11, 1875, decorated for the departure of the last contingent of students of the practical seminary for Springfield, Illinois

To protect its students from the draft during the American Civil War, the seminary moved, in 1861, to the campus of the synod's academic seminary, Concordia Seminary, in St. Louis, Missouri. Missouri exempted theological students from the draft, while Indiana did not.[5] C. F. W. Walther, who was already the president of the St. Louis seminary, became president of the practical seminary as well. However, there was friction between the two institutions among both faculty and students, in part due to the differences in academic rigor and purposes. In addition, the growth in enrollment in both seminaries led to overcrowding of the campus.[4]

### Relocation to Springfield

[edit]

In 1874, the 29 pre-seminary students of the practical seminary, along with one instructor, were moved to the campus of the former Illinois State University in Springfield, Illinois.[4] That campus had been purchased by Trinity Lutheran Church in that city in 1873 to start the Evangelical Lutheran Female College and Normal School, but inability to obtain suitable faculty had stopped those plans.[5] In 1875, the practical seminary itself moved to the Springfield campus, with president F. A. Craemer and the pre-seminary instructor serving as the faculty. A third faculty member joined the staff in 1876.[4]

Classroom and dormitory building in Springfield, Illinois, that was dedicated on May 31, 1891

At that time there were no particular entrance requirements. It was not until 1918 that completion of eighth grade was required of prospective students, the same year that an additional year of instruction was added to the pre-seminary course of study. The additional courses made it possible for pastors to obtain teaching certificates in states where pastors were not automatically eligible to teach in parochial schools. However, even in the 1920s the pastors graduating from the seminary generally had, except for the pastoral training, only the equivalent of a high school education.[4]

In view of the relatively low level of academic training provided by the seminary, resolutions to close the seminary were introduced in the 1932 and 1935 synodical conventions; the one in 1935 initially passed by a 266 to 265 vote, but was then reconsidered and defeated, 283 to 256. Nevertheless, the seminary began making changes: Greek was made a required course; new students had to have had at least two years of high school, and accreditation by the state of Illinois was sought.[4]

Starting in 1941, all entering students had to be high school graduates, allowing the seminary to discontinue all high school classes. Academic requirements were further strengthened in subsequent years. Entrance requirements were again raised, first to completion of two years of college, and again to prefer college graduates. Expectations for the faculty were also increased with the aim that all professors would have doctoral degrees. The American Association of Theological Schools accepted the seminary as a member in the fall of 1968. The Bachelor of Divinity degree which the seminary had awarded its graduates became fully accredited, and was replaced by the Master of Divinity degree in 1973.[4]

### Return to Fort Wayne

[edit]

The seminary remained in Springfield until the synod reorganized its system of pastoral training and merged the program of Concordia Senior College of Fort Wayne with Concordia College in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In 1976, the seminary returned to Fort Wayne, where it inherited the Senior College's award-winning campus, designed by Eero Saarinen.

### Presidents

[edit]

Concordia has had 17 presidents.[6][7]

No.  | Name  | Term

|
|

1  | Wilhelm Sihler | 1846–1861
2  | C. F. W. Walther | 1861–1875
3  | Friedrich August Crämer[8] | 1875–1891
4  | Reinhold Pieper[9] | 1891–1914
5  | Richard Daniel Biedermann  | 1914–1921
6  | Henry Adam Klein[10] | 1922–1935
7  | Henry B. Hemmeter[11] | 1936–1945
8  | G. Christian Barth | 1945–1952
9  | Walter A. Baepler  | 1952–1958
10  | George Beto | 1959–1962
11  | J. A. O. Preus II | 1962–1969
12  | Richard J. Schultz  | 1970–1974
13  | Robert D. Preus | 1974–1989[a]
–  | Norbert H. Mueller[b] | 1989–1992
–  | Robert D. Preus[c] | 1992–1993
14  | David G. Schmiel  | 1993–1995
15  | Dean O. Wenthe  | 1996–2011
16  | Lawrence R. Rast Jr.  | 2011–2024
17  | Jon S. Bruss  | 2024–present

1. ^ Retired by the Board of Regents
2. ^ Served as interim president
3. ^ Reinstated by Synodical Convention resolution, with Michael Stelmachowicz as CEO

## Academics

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Concordia Theological Seminary is divided into four departments: Exegetical Theology, Historical Theology, Pastoral Ministry and Mission, and Systematic Theology.[12]

The seminary is theologically conservative, emphasizing study of the Bible and the Book of Concord. It is a liturgical community following the practice of praying the divine offices each day, including Matins, Vespers and Compline, as well as celebrating the Lord's Supper each week.

## Notable alumni

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* Dan Cloeter, Lutheran pastor and marathon runner
* Patrick Ferry, president of Concordia University Wisconsin from 1997 to 2021
* Daniel L. Gard, Deputy Chief of Chaplains for Reserve Matters of the United States Navy Chaplain Corps (2013–2019), president of Concordia University Chicago (2014–2019)
* Matthew Harrison, president of the LCMS (2010–present)
* Joel D. Heck, professor of theology at Concordia University Texas
* Scot Kerns, member of the Montana State Legislature
* Gerald B. Kieschnick, president of the LCMS (2001–2010)
* Donald K. Muchow, Chief of Chaplains of the United States Navy (1994–1997)
* Andrew Schulze, Lutheran pastor and civil rights activist[13]
* Andrew Steinmann, professor of theology and Hebrew at Concordia University Chicago
* Gordon Winrod, Lutheran pastor, and later, a Christian Identity minister

## Publications

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The seminary publishes a journal for professional theologians, a magazine for laity and for the seminary community, and books.

* Concordia Theological Quarterly, a continuation of The Springfielder, is a theological journal of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, published for its ministerium by the faculty of the seminary. CTQ is published in January, April, July, and October, and is indexed by the ATLA Religion Database.
* For the Life of the World is the official magazine of Concordia Theological Seminary.
* Concordia Theological Seminary Press has published numerous books, including works by Martin Luther, Johann Gerhard, F. C. D. Wyneken, C. F. W. Walther, Walter A. Maier, and Robert Preus.

## Further reading

[edit]

* Baepler, Walter A. A Century of Blessing: 1846–1946. Springfield, IL: Concordia Theological Seminary, 1946.
* Heintzen, Erich H. Prairie School of the Prophets: The Anatomy of a Seminary, 1846-1976. St. Louis: Concordia, 1989.
* Lücke, M. Zum 50 jährigen Jubiläum des praktischen evang.-lutherischen Concordia-Seminars zu Springfield, Ill. 1846–1896. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1896.
* Smith, Robert Ernest. Shepherds for Christ's Sheep: Concordia Theological Seminary Meets a Need. Fort Wayne: Concordia Theological Seminary, 2001.

## References

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1. ^ "Dr. Lawrence Rast to be Installed as Concordia Theological Seminary President". Concordia Theological Seminary. Archived from the original on May 31, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
2. ^ "CTSFW Faculty". Retrieved 20 April 2023.
3. ^ "Concordia Theological Seminary profile". Association of Theological Schools. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
4. ^ a b c d e f g h Roberts, Robert R. (December 1971). "Our "Practical" Seminary" (PDF). The Springfielder. 35 (3): 168–171. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
5. ^ a b Wolbrecht, Walter F. (1947). "The Period of Expansion 1864-1894". In Repp, Arthur C. (ed.). 100 Years of Christian Education. River Forest, Illinois: Lutheran Education Association. pp. 110–111.
6. ^ Concordia does not count interim Presidents and counts Dr. Robert Preus' two terms as one.Dorr, Adriane A. (2011). "Dr. Lawrence Rast Installed as Concordia Theological Seminary's 16th President". For the Life of the World. 15 (3): 20–21. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
7. ^ Lueker, Erwin L.; Poellot, Luther; Jackson, Paul, eds. (2000). "Education, Ministry of". Christian Cyclopedia (Online ed.). St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
8. ^ "Friedrich August Craemer (1812-1891) Papers". Concordia Historical Institute. October 24, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
9. ^ Koontz, Adam C. (January 2021), "Speak as the Oracles of God: Reinhold Pieper's Classical Lutheran Homiletic" (PDF), Concorida Theological Quarterly, 85 (1): 23
10. ^ Schmidt, Warren (February 17, 2016). "Klein from Klein". Perry County Lutheran Historical Society.
11. ^ Robinson, Margaret (March 15, 2017). "Henry B. Hemmeter (1870-1948) Papers". Concordia Historical Institute.
12. ^ "Faculty - Concordia Theological Seminary". Archived from the original on April 17, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
13. ^ Galchutt, Kathryn. "Andrew Schulze: Human Dignity, Equality and Unity under God". Retrieved December 27, 2023.

## External links

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Concordia Theological Seminary.

* Official site
* Saarinen's Village: The Concordia Campus Through Time

* v
* t
* e

Concordia Theological Seminary

Presidents|

* Wilhelm Sihler
* C. F. W. Walther
* F. A. Crämer
* R. Pieper
* R. D. Biedermann
* H. A. Klein
* H. B. Hemmeter
* G. C. Barth
* W. A. Baepler
* George Beto
* J. A. O. Preus II
* Richard J. Schultz
* Robert D. Preus
* Norbert H. Mueller (interim)
* David G. Schmiel
* Dean O. Wenthe
* Lawrence R. Rast Jr.

Faculty|

| Former|

* O. P. Kretzmann
* J. A. O. Preus II

|

Present|

| Exegetical Theology|

* Charles A. Gieschen
* Arthur A. Just
* Walter A. Maier II
* Walter A. Maier III
* John G. Nordling
* Jeffrey H. Pulse
* Peter J. Scaer
* Ryan M. Tietz
* Dean O. Wenthe

|

Historical Theology|

* James G. Bushur
* Cameron A. MacKenzie
* Lawrence R. Rast
* William C. Weinrich

Pastoral Ministry & Mission|

* Carl C. Fickenscher II
* Paul J. Grime
* John T. Pless
* Timothy C. J. Quill
* Richard C. Resch
* John D. Reynolds
* Robert V. Roethemeyer
* Klaus Detlev Schulz

Systematic Theology|

* Gifford A. Grobien
* Naomichi Masaki
* David P. Scaer
* Roland F. Ziegler

Publications|

* Concordia Theological Quarterly
* For the Life of the World magazine

Publishing|

* Concordia Theological Seminary Press

Related|

| Denominations|

* Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod

|

Institutions|

* Concordia Seminary
* Concordia Senior College
* Concordia University Ann Arbor

* v
* t
* e

Colleges and universities of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod

Concordia University System|

* Chicago (1864)
* Wisconsin (1881)
* Saint Paul (1893)
* Nebraska (1894)
* Ann Arbor (1963)
* Irvine (1976)

Seminaries|

* St. Louis (1839)
* Ft. Wayne (1846)

Former colleges|

* Concordia Oakland (CA) 1906–1973
* Concordia Selma (AL) 1922–2018†
* Concordia College Ft. Wayne (IN) 1839–1957
* Concordia College (New Orleans, LA) 1904–1917
* Concordia College (Conover, NC) 1878–1935‡
* Concordia Bronxville (NY) 1881–2021
* Concordia Senior College (IN) 1957–1977
* Concordia Portland (OR) 1905–2020
* Concordia Texas 1926–2022&
* Immanuel Lutheran College & Seminary (Greensboro, NC) 1903–1961†
* Luther College (New Orleans, LA) 1903–1925†
* St. John's College (KS) 1893–1986‡
* St. Paul's College (MO) 1883–1986

Institutions donated to the LCC (LCMS Founded)|

* Concordia Alberta (1921)#
* Edmonton Seminary (1984)
* Ontario Seminary (1976)

Hispanophone/Lusophone institutions (Founded)|

* Lutheran University of Brazil
* Seminario Concorida (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
* Seminario Concordia El Reformador (Dominican Republic)

†Founded by the Synodical Conference

‡Formerly under the English Synod &Extant as a Christian institution, but independent

#Now secularized

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Accredited Indiana colleges and universities

* American College of Education
* Ancilla College
* Anderson University
* Ball State University
* Bethel University
* Butler University
* Calumet College
* Christian Theological Seminary
* Concordia Theological Seminary
* DePauw University
* Earlham College
* Franklin College
* Goshen College
* Grace College & Seminary
* Hanover College
* Holy Cross College
* Huntington University
* Indiana Institute of Technology
* Indiana State University
* Indiana University System
* Indiana Wesleyan University
* Ivy Tech Community College
* Manchester University
* Marian University
* Martin University
* Oakland City University
* Purdue University system
* Rose–Hulman Institute of Technology
* Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
* Saint Mary's College
* Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology
* Taylor University
* Trine University
* University of Evansville
* University of Indianapolis
* University of Notre Dame
* University of Saint Francis
* University of Southern Indiana
* Valparaiso University
* Vincennes University
* Wabash College
* WGU Indiana

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City of Fort Wayne

* Buildings
* City Council
* Flag
* Fort
* Mayors
* Media
* Parks
* People
* Public art
* Neighborhoods
* Metropolitan area
* Region

Economy

| Largest employers|

* Air National Guard Station
* BAE Systems
* BFGoodrich
* Dana
* General Motors
* Frontier Communications
* Harris Corporation
* Lincoln Financial Group
* Norfolk Southern
* Raytheon Systems
* SIRVA

|

Headquarters|

* Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company
* Do it Best
* Franklin Electric
* Genteq
* Indiana Michigan Power
* K&K Insurance
* MedPro Group
* North American Van Lines
* Rea Magnet Wire
* Steel Dynamics
* Sweetwater Sound
* Vera Bradley

|

Attractions

* Botanical Conservatory
* Children's Zoo
* Glenbrook Square
* Historic sites
* History Center
* Ikasucon
* Jefferson Pointe
* Johnny Appleseed Festival
* Johnny Appleseed Park
* Museum of Art
* Nickel Plate Road 765
* Philharmonic Orchestra
* Public libraries
* Richardville House
* Science Central
* Three Rivers Festival

| Venues|

* Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
* Arts United Center
* Embassy Theatre
* Grand Wayne Convention Center
* Hefner Soccer Complex
* Hilliard Gates Sports Center
* Mastodon Field
* Parkview Field

|

Education

| Public schools|

* East Allen
* Fort Wayne Community
* Northwest Allen
* Southwest Allen

|

Higher education|

* Concordia Theological Seminary
* Huntington
* Indiana Tech
* Indiana Wesleyan
* IU Fort Wayne
* Ivy Tech
* Manchester School of Pharmacy
* Purdue Fort Wayne
* Saint Francis
* Trine

|

Private schools|

* Lutheran Schools of Indiana
* Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend

|

Healthcare

* IU Health
* Lutheran Health Network
* Dupont
* Lutheran
* Parkview Health

Sports

* Sports
* Derby Girls
* Komets
* TinCaps
* Indiana Tech Warriors
* Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons
* Saint Francis Cougars

Transportation

* Airport Expressway
* Baker Street Station
* Citilink
* International Airport
* Rivergreenway
* Smith Field
* I-69
* I-469
* US 24
* US 27
* US 30
* US 33
* SR 1
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Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
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* United States
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Other|

* Yale LUX

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