Celebrating the Strength of CUS

Greetings from the Concordia University System!

This edition of the Concordia Chronicle celebrates the remarkable work happening across our network of institutions. From world-class academics to vibrant faith communities, the CUS is dedicated to serving students, preparing church workers, and fostering a strong Lutheran identity. As I travel around our CUS institutions, I see many great things happening on our campuses and through our work as institutions of higher learning. Each campus has something unique and distinctive that causes me to see the hand of God at work.

A Glimpse into the CUS:

• Academic Excellence: Our universities offer a rigorous and enriching education, preparing graduates for successful careers serving the church and the world and serving through meaningful lives focused on living the love of Christ to all people.
• Preparing Church Workers: The CUS plays a vital role in equipping the next generation of pastors, teachers, and other church leaders. We currently have 802 church workers registered throughout the system. My personal goal is to have 1,000 churchwork students in the next two years. This goal can only happen if we work together to encourage those in our lives who we see have the gifts and talents to share Christ's love.
• Strong Lutheran Identity: We are committed to integrating faith and learning, providing a supportive environment where students can grow in their relationship with Christ. The distinctive Lutheran identity shows itself at each University in various ways. For example, our chapel worship is the centerpiece of all our campuses. The Spirit is at work as the word of God goes out to the hearts and ears of those who attend chapel. Likewise, each university has a different program to onboard new faculty and staff about what it means to be Lutheran. This has shown tremendous fruit as the staff and faculty seek more ways to learn and grow in their faith. 

A Recent Visit to Concordia University Irvine:

Recently, a team from CUS had the privilege of visiting Concordia University Irvine (CUI). We were deeply impressed by the vibrant campus life and commitment to Lutheran Identity; the dedication of the faculty and staff and the strong commitment to Lutheran values were apparent.

• Positive Experiences: Our interviews and campus tours were incredibly positive. We encountered passionate faculty members, engaged students, and a welcoming atmosphere. CUI is a tremendous host; they have the gift of hospitality.
• A Model for the CUS: Our Universities are an excellent example of what an LCMS institution of higher learning should be: a place where academic excellence and Christian faith intertwine.

Moving Forward:

I am excited about the future of the CUS and our institutions' continued impact on the church and the world. We encourage you to visit CUS.edu to learn more about the excellent work at each of our universities.

Stay Connected: The best way to keep track of what is happening in our system is to follow The Lutheran Advantage for the latest news and updates from across the system.

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Luther Classical College Invites CUS Visitation Team

Luther Classical College (LCC) invites the Concordia University System (CUS) https://cus.edu to send an informal visitation team to meet with regents, administrators, professors, and students during LCC's historic first fall semester. The invitation is part of LCC's ongoing effort to explore potential pathways toward formalizing the college's relation to The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS).

CUS currently comprises five universities on six campuses. Amendments to the LCMS Bylaws adopted by the 2023 Synod Convention provide possible pathways for an outside institution to become consolidated as a college within an existing CUS member or a new institution of CUS. As LCC considers all of its options, the college has invited an informal visitation team from CUS to observe chapel worship and classroom instruction with a distinctive curriculum in classical Lutheran education in the fall of 2025.