CHICAGO (ELCA) – More than 70 representatives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s (ELCA) eight seminaries convened here Nov. 1 for a two-day session to envision what a  “common learning exchange” could mean for the church’s theological education network.

The unprecedented meeting of seminary presidents, board representatives, faculty and staff focused on the feasibility of the seminaries, each with a unique history, operating model and culture, to join in a common project to deliver a richer learning experience to current students and rostered leaders and broader ELCA audiences.

The convener of the meeting, the Rev. James R. Nieman, president of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC), serves as chair of the conference of seminary presidents and chief administrative officers. In opening remarks, Nieman said, “It is not an overstatement to say that this is a historic event. Never before has there been such a gathering of delegations from all ELCA seminaries seeking to rethink the future of theological education in our church.”

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