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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 91

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

B. Continuing Education and Lifelong
Learning
CUNE continues to expand professional learning opportunities
for Christian educators, ministry leaders, and other professionals
through a growing menu of new Studia Vitae continuing education
units which include short-form online modules, workshops, and
micro-credentials designed for immediate application in schools
and congregations. Single course graduate offerings, certificates,
and full degree programs are similarly tailored to Lutherans serving in ministry and Christians seeking faith-grounded professional
preparation, to help prepare leaders who embody faith, learning,
and service.
Guided by the conviction that God’s Word is the lamp and light
that guides study across every discipline, these professional development experiences apply the unchanging truth of God’s Word to
shed light on the shifting sands of modern life, thought, and cultural trends. Studia Vitae reflects CUNE’s commitment to lifelong
vocational discipleship, equipping Christians to grow continually
in wisdom and to serve with clarity and confidence anchored in
God’s Word.

B.1. Preferred Partnerships
CUNE’s newly launched preferred partnership program extends the reach of our mission in Christ-centered education. These
collaborations, which include tuition discounts on Studia Vitae
courses and graduate offerings, allow CUNE to make high-quality,
Christ-centered education accessible to more students while enhancing the value these organizations provide to members, empowering Christians to grow in knowledge, strengthen their vocations,
and serve others with excellence.

C. Outreach and Institutes
CUNE’s institutes provide outreach, service, and educational efforts that enhance the university’s mission and vision by engaging
audiences beyond campus while serving as a resource to the church
at large.
Active institutes include:
•

Center for Liturgical Art

•

Initiative for Early Childhood Education

•

Institute for Ethical Leadership

•

Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

•

Institute for Literacy

•

Institute for Religious Education

•

Institute for Rural and Small-Town Ministries

•

Trinity Academy

Through resources, workshops, and conferences, these institutes
equip Christian leaders and provide resources that serve congregations, districts, and Lutheran organizations.

D. Looking Ahead
As CUNE looks to the future, the university remains steadfast in
its commitment to equipping students for faithful service in Christ’s
church and the world. Enrollment initiatives will continue to focus
on recruiting mission-fit students and strengthening partnerships
with Lutheran schools, districts, and congregations.

New academic communities will continue to develop innovative
approaches to formation, mentorship, and vocational preparation,
ensuring students are equipped with the knowledge, faith, and skills
to serve in schools, congregations, or wherever God leads them.
A defining emphasis for the years ahead is the vision of a higher
education community whose first loyalty is to the Scriptures—an
increasingly rare but urgently needed orientation in modern higher
education. This commitment will continue to shape every discipline and professional field, guiding how CUNE forms students for
thoughtful, faithful engagement in the church and world.
This scriptural foundation also informs CUNE’s long-term aspiration to be a year-round, lifelong learning Lutheran university
that supports Christians not only during their undergraduate years
but throughout every stage of life and vocation. Through academic
programs, continuing education, and emerging initiatives, CUNE
seeks to extend learning, formation, and discipleship across the full
span of a Christian’s service in home, congregation, and community.
The university’s outreach through institutes and centers will
likewise continue to grow, offering research, resources, and training that strengthen Lutheran identity, support congregational vitality, and equip leaders for service in both local and global contexts.
Finally, CUNE remains committed to raising up the next generation of church workers, responding faithfully to the Synod’s call to
support Lutheran ministries through robust recruitment, formation,
and scholarship programs. Guided by the principle of Christ-centered education in service to the church, the university looks forward to continuing to partner with the Synod in forming leaders
who will impact congregations, schools, and communities for years
to come.
Bernard D. Bull, President
R14.4

Concordia University, St. Paul
Greetings from Concordia University, St. Paul (CSP), where we
walk in the light of Jesus Christ as we live, learn, and serve together
as a university of the Synod (1 John 1:7).
As I returned to my alma mater and began my tenure as president of CSP in January 2020, I could not have envisioned the opportunities and challenges of the past six-plus years. However, I’ve
experienced much joy in serving at this Christ-centered Lutheran
university, working alongside talented faculty, staff, regents, and
constituents to support our dynamic and diverse student population.

A. Introduction
Established in 1893 as a high school to prepare young men for
pastoral ministry, Concordia University, St. Paul, is now a university that serves more than 7,000 students annually and confers associates through doctoral degrees. The university offers more than
100 academic programs and students learn in face-to-face settings
in St. Paul, Minn.; Portland, Ore.; and Denver, Colo., as well as
online around the world. As we have over the past 130-plus years,
CSP is committed to raising up workers for the Synod and offers
the following church work tracks and certifications: pre-seminary,
pre-deaconess, director of Christian education, director of Christian
outreach, director of parish music, and Lutheran classroom teacher.
2026 Convention Workbook