Feeling called into the ministry can be overwhelming. Perhaps you’ve been interested in becoming a pastor, but questioned whether it was really for you. Maybe you’ve felt sure at times, but then also wondered whether you are really prepared for such a task.
If so, then the Pre-Seminary program at Concordia University Chicago is the right track for you. Our purpose is to guide young men in the process of discernment, while also preparing them for further studies. Upon receiving your degree, you will be recognized as having completed a program of studies that competently prepares you to attend the seminary of your choice, after graduation. It also prepares you for service in a variety of ways in case you decide that being a pastor is not for you.
Program Overview
Pastors have a wide range of responsibilities. They not only lead their congregations in worship, but they also assist with education, evangelism, counseling, social ministry and the day-to-day administration of a church facility. Our program seeks to prepare you for all aspects of the ministry. Pastors serve in diverse ministry roles, such as high school teachers, college professors, university or military chaplains, missionaries and administrators for charitable organizations.
Concordia University Chicago’s Pre-Seminary program is not in and of itself a degree program. Rather, it designates coursework to be taken within a liberal arts or education degree track, which also fulfills seminary entrance requirements. Students completing all the prescribed coursework will be identified as having completed the Pre-Seminary Program of studies on their transcripts.
Our theological faculty is recognized and respected throughout the Church. They are authors of numerous published books, articles and commentaries, and also serve as adjunct faculty for our LCMS seminaries. The director of the Pre-Seminary program also serves as Concordia’s campus pastor. He works closely with our students, mentoring their academic, spiritual and personal development. By entering CUC’s program, you will hit the ground running with many mission, ministry and service opportunities—all intended to help you discern whether being a pastor is the right calling for you.
General Course Information
Our Pre-Seminary program offers two degree tracks: a liberal arts track in which you will take theology courses and professional support courses, while also choosing a liberal arts major and a liberal arts minor. The second degree track is through the College of Education in which you will follow the secondary education Lutheran teacher education track and take several theology courses.
Pre-seminary students select a major either in liberal arts or teacher education. Recommended majors within the liberal arts are theological languages, history, psychology, philosophy, sociology or English. These programs meet all academic entrance requirements for both LCMS Synodical seminaries. CUC’s depth and breadth of coursework prepares students to enter and excel at the seminary level.
Opportunities
Concordia University Chicago’s faculty, staff, curriculum, location and library resources enhance the offerings of the pre-seminary program. Our location provides easy access to the cultural, learning and servant opportunities of a world-class city. A rich variety of Lutheran congregations and service organizations exist within an easy distance to the campus. Our library is one of the oldest and most complete theological libraries in the Synod, and includes access to the resources of other major Chicago schools.
Concordia University Chicago’s Pre-Seminary Director works closely with students to create servant hearts in the future pastors of the church. The program specifically seeks to instill faith, learning and leadership characteristics in those who are considering the Office of the Ministry. It is also intentionally a time of discernment: some students choose not to enter seminary, but go on to serve God in other worthy vocations, having obtained a quality degree from an excellent Christian university.