lum,  Halm said.  CUEnet has served as the

C A M PA I G N   B U I L D S  

conduit, sometimes the catalyst, for these

E N D O W M E N T S , E N RO L L M E N T S

developments. 

CUEnet also assists the colleges in

Like pushing two pedals on a bicycle, enrollments and endowments

Portland and Irvine in jointly offering a mas 

will assure a supply of church workers for the Synod of the future.

ter's program for teachers. Four colleges par 

Rev. Edward Bertram frequently uses the bicycle illustration in

ticipate in an online writing lab for undergrad 

describing  For the Sake of the Church.  By 2010, the goal is to double

uates. Colloquy programs are provided for

Lutheran student enrollments at the Synod's Concordia colleges and universi 

Lutheran Church Canada.

ties and to build a $400 million endowment to support their educations.

Bertram serves as campaign director.

Senior reaches 

Pushing the enrollment pedal through recruitment in congregations

for dream of teaching

will encourage young Lutherans to consider church work careers. Already,

he said, enrollment at the Concordias over the past five years is about 19

For senior Ashley Kruse, choosing the

percent higher.

avenue to fulfill her dream of becoming an

Endowments are the other pedal perpetual funding to provide

elementary teacher at a Lutheran school was

scholarships, maintain buildings, strengthen instruction and alleviate the need

simple. Growing up in a Christian environ 

for students to incur greater debt, according to Bertram. As it enters its

ment, the Batesville, Ark., native knew she

fourth year, the campaign has raised more than $92 million in cash and

wanted a college education to match those val 

deferred gifts for endowment.

ues. Kruse first heard about Concordia

University, Seward, Neb., while growing up in

Batesville. Denise Lawrenz, a Concordia grad 

That foundation in faith, she said, will mani 

uate, helped start a Lutheran school at Kruse's home

fest itself throughout her teaching career.  My faith

congregation, and she helped out while in high

is just not in one place, it's everywhere if not in

school.

words, it's through my actions. I will be able to

 She was a huge role model for me,  Kruse

relate it to any situation. 

said. After a couple of visits to the campus, Kruse

knew Concordia was the perfect fit.  When I sat in

Church workers are high priority

on classes, I liked the size because I came from a big

public high school that had large classes. The facul 

Recruitment and retention of church workers

ty here always talked to us, which was nice. 

is a top priority for the Missouri Synod. It was the

Once on campus, Kruse said the environment

only project to receive new funding when the Board

enhanced her faith.  Everything is very Christ cen 

of Directors adopted the budget for this fiscal year.

tered,  she said.  A lot of professors relate their

 It's a huge concern,  said Dr. L. Dean

class work to the Bible. Coming here has made my

Hempelmann, director of pastoral education with

faith a lot stronger. 

the Board for Higher Education.  In fact, if we

don't do this we're going to die.  Hempelmann

leads a working group for  What A Way,  a

Synodwide campaign to address the issue.

Citing future clergy needs, Hempelmann

added that half of the current LCMS pastors will

reach retirement age within the next 15 years. At

the current rate, nearly a fourth of congregations

may not have a resident pastor by 2007. 

Teachers are also needed in Lutheran schools,

according to William Cochran, director of school

ministry with the Board for District and

Congregational Services.  I don't think we will be

able to replace teachers at the rate they will be retir 

ing in the next 10 years,  he said.

 What A Way  plans focus on building a

 lifestyle  in homes and congregations that encour 

 Everything is very Christ centered,  said Ashley Kruse of her 

educational experience at Concordia University in Seward, Neb.

ages people to serve as church workers. Planners also

She is a senior majoring in elementary education.

seek to create a method for pastors, parents and

24

THE LUTHERAN WITNESS (52)