ELCA Church Council approves seminary, university merger

CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In a move toward advancing sustainable theological
education, the Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA) approved July 11 a merger between Pacific Lutheran
Theological Seminary, Berkeley, Calif., and California Lutheran
University, Thousand Oaks, Calif. The Church Council serves as the ELCA
board of directors.
The merger is the result of conversations among university and
seminary representatives who agreed that the two schools can best serve
the ELCA’s work of theological education by moving toward a merger with
the seminary becoming part of the university.
“We believe that our integrity is well protected in the agreements
that we’ve sent to you,” the Rev. Phyllis B. Anderson, president of
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, told the council via
teleconference.
In recent years representatives of the ELCA’s eight seminaries have
been working with one another and other partners to organize their
educational and administrative work in ways that advance a wide-reaching
and sustainable theological education network that meets the leadership
needs of a “church in mission.” In this work, the ELCA’s 26 colleges and
universities have emerged as important partners.
A merger of an ELCA seminary and university occurred for the first
time in 2011 between Lenoir-Rhyne University, Hickory, N.C., and Lutheran
Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia, S.C.
In his report to the council, ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson
reported on the approval of the first eight members of an ELCA
Theological Education Advisory Council. The denomination is committed to
addressing in a holistic way issues on theological education, leadership
development, candidacy, call and rostered leaders.
In other business the council:
+ Elected the Rev. Marit Bakken, Black River Falls, Wis., to the council
for a term ending in 2015. Bakken is a student at Augsburg College in
Minneapolis.
+ Recommended that 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly consider the “Book of
Faith” initiative as a continuing emphasis and priority in this church.
The 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly will gather Aug. 12-17 in Pittsburg.
The 2007 assembly established the initiative designed to encourage deeper
engagement with the Bible.
+ Received an update on the development of the ELCA churchwide
organization strategic plan for 2014 to 2016.
+ Received an update from the Rev. Jeffrey D. Thiemann, president and CEO
of Portico Benefits Services -- the ELCA’s healthcare provider. Portico
representatives attended 52 of the 65 ELCA synod assemblies this year to
assist with transition and rollout of new plans in anticipation of the
Healthcare Reform Act.