by Frank Imhoff, ELCA News Service
Three seminaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America (ELCA) received a $215,000 grant from Thrivent
Financial for Lutherans Foundation, Appleton, Wis., and
Minneapolis. The three seminaries are working with schools
of business and ELCA social ministry organizations to
start the Intersections Institute, a leadership development
program for faith-based social ministry organizations.
The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (LTSG),
Gettysburg, Pa., Lutheran Theological Seminary at
Philadelphia and Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary,
Columbia, S.C., make up the eastern cluster of the eight
ELCA seminaries.
"We are delighted to assist the Intersections Institute
through this grant," said Karen Coonen, executive director,
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation. "We trust
that this support will enable the organization to jump-start
this venture education ministry with current and future
social ministry organizational leadership." The Rev.
Michael L. Cooper-White, LTSG president, said the church
and its social ministry organizations "need leaders who
understand and demonstrate core competencies in both
management and theology at the intersection of church
and world."
The Rev. Richard P. Carlson, LTSG professor of biblical
studies and director of graduate study, has led a
foundation-laying phase funded by grants from the ELCA
and the Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries, Allentown, Pa.
A search is under way for a permanent director.
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
