Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 2023 · 68th Convention, Milwaukee › Page 69

LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 69

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

counsel of God in Sacred Scripture. Historically, the LCMS gave
birth to CTX; presently, CTX is called to be faithful to her mother,
to the church’s confession, and to the church’s practice.

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In 2020, CUC celebrated the 40th anniversary of the deaconess program, the only undergraduate deaconess studies
program in the Synod.

The preceding analyses should demonstrate that any suggestion of separation from the LCMS is without fiduciary clarity and
theological merit. We sincerely hope and pray that the CTX Board
of Regents will even now willingly reverse its stated course and
remain an important member of the CUS.

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In 2022, CUC was blessed with a strong class of new preseminary students—one of the highest enrollments in years.

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CUC is proud to regularly host synodical, district, Recognized Service Organization, and other affiliated conferences
such as: Theology Professor’s Conference, Northern Illinois
District (NID) Convention, NID Joint Pastors Conference,
NID Educators Conference, NID Educational Administrators Conference, NID Circuit Gatherings, Issues Etc. Making the Case Conference, Higher Things, and Lutheran
Sports Association.

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In February 2023, the university hosted the Board for the
International Lutheran Council, a worldwide association of
established confessional Lutheran church bodies which proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the basis of an unconditional commitment to the Holy Scriptures as the inspired
and infallible Word of God, and to the Lutheran Confessions
contained in the Book of Concord as the true and faithful
exposition of the Word of God.

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Rev. Dr. Chad Kendall was named Associate Provost for
Mission & Identity in late 2022. He will play a key role in
ensuring that the university continues to live out its mission
faithfully. His responsibilities include recruiting qualified,
mission-minded faculty and administrators, as well as leading employee development in regard to the intersection of
faith and the academic enterprise.

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In 2022, Concordia Chicago launched its Mission & Identity
Program for faculty development in Lutheran distinctives
and their importance in higher education.

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Campus Ministry continues to provide opportunities for students to receive God’s gifts and be a part of a rich community of faith, including:

Dean O. Wenthe, President
R14.1

Concordia University Chicago
Steadfast in Jesus Christ as revealed in the Holy Scriptures,
Concordia University Chicago (CUC) promotes academic rigor in
its liberal arts and professional programs; grounds students in objective truth, integrity, and excellence; and practices faithfulness
to the Confessional teachings of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod, as it forms students for vocations in church, family, and the
world.
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In 2019, in addition to the mission statement above, the university adopted a new vision statement: “Concordia University Chicago is a Christ-centered Lutheran university where
truth, freedom, and vocation form students for lives of influence and service for the common good.”

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Dr. Russell P. Dawn was inaugurated as Concordia University Chicago’s 12th president in October 2019.

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Concordia Chicago responded to and weathered the storm
brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to the
grace of God and the resilience of our community. The university remained faithful to its mission and to delivering a
high-quality education for all students.

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A comprehensive academic reorganization culminated during the summer of 2021, establishing two new colleges at
the university: the College of Theology, Arts & Humanities
and the College of Health, Science & Technology. Along
with the existing Colleges of Business and Education, the
two new colleges replaced and absorbed programs from the
former Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Graduate Studies, and
Innovation and Professional Programs.
CUC’s strategic plan, Focusing Our Future 2025, is being lived out every day at the university. The plan’s four
themes are: Formative Student Experience, Fiscal Agility
and Strength, Partnerships for Mission and Excellence, and
Vibrant Unified Community. This plan is an exciting and important step in CUC’s pursuit of its vision and positions the
university for a thriving future.

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Lutheran teacher education, director of Christian education,
director of parish music, the pre-seminary program, and the
deaconess program form the foundation for the university’s
long-standing church professional programs.

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The university president, directors of the church professional
programs, and other members of the CUC community have
been actively involved in supporting the Synod’s Set Apart
to Serve church worker recruitment initiative.

Every new CUC student attends the “Faith Matters” orientation session with the university pastor, who presents
the Gospel and offers an opportunity for Christian growth
for all students.

Every CUC freshman is required to read portions of Callings for Life (CPH, 2020) which outlines Luther’s theology of vocation while also presenting the Gospel.

Daily chapel continues to embrace the long, rich history
of Lutheran preaching and liturgy, maintaining excellence in sacred music with our numerous musicians and
ensembles.

CUC’s Spiritual Life student organization remains the
most active group on campus, living the Word of God, loving all people in Christ’s name, and serving their neighbors on campus, in Chicago, and to the ends of the earth.

CUC 4 Life, the university’s life ministry organization
within Spiritual Life, promotes life ministry from conception to natural death, continually engaging the university
community with opportunities for service and education.

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The Division of Theology hosted its first workshop for local
preachers in June 2022.

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The Division of Theology hosted a Confessionalism Seminar in June 2023.
2023 Convention Workbook