Concordia Theological Seminary
Fort Wayne, Indiana
ePILGRIMAGE

 Be Inspired. Stay Informed.     September 2008 
 Forward to a future seminarianCampus Visit Edition
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Greetings [fname],
 
     Welcome to the September edition of ePilgrimage! Classes will begin this month. Each academic year is welcomed with much anticipation. New students arriving on campus are starry-eyed as they begin classes and join the community where they will worship and be formed as servants in Jesus Christ.

Information and inspiration for the future as you consider
the seminary . . . this is ePilgrimage.
 
     Last month's issue can be found on our blog
www.seminaryblog.com or click by clicking here.
 
 


Get a Jump Start on Your Seminary Studies: Take Greek Online Right Now!

 www.ctsfw.edu/greekdemo
 
     Sound like you? "I plan to come to the seminary, but I will not be ready to make the move for at least another year." Not to worry: Concordia Theological Seminary is coming to you.  Biblical Greek online will be offered beginning this fall.  The online version of Greek will allow students to study according to their schedule. "If they want to study Biblical Greek at midnight, or early in the morning, or during their lunch breaks—whatever fits into their schedule—they can do so in this program," commented Dr. Douglas Rutt, Dean for Distance Learning. The objective of offering Greek online is so that students can begin the process of their seminary education before actually moving to Fort Wayne.


     Dr. John Nordling, Associate Professor of Exegetical Theology, will be the teacher.  "He is eminently qualified as a professor of Greek. Besides his seminary training, he has achieved two degrees in the classical languages, a Master of Arts from Washington University, St. Louis, and a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Wisconsin, Madison," remarked Dr. Douglas Rutt.  Dr. Nordling taught in the Department of Foreign Languages at Valparaiso University and the Department of Classics at Baylor University before coming to Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, in 2006.

     The course will begin with the regular academic year on September 8, 2008, and continue for three quarters, ending May 22, 2009. It will be taught online using Concordia Theological Seminary's learning management system and interactive multimedia learning objects as well as more traditional means of instruction. "Greek lends itself well to new ways of teaching online," says Rev. William Johnson, Educational Technologist at the seminary. "Because we're able to offer it over the course of three quarters, we can also slow down the pace and make it easier for the student to keep up."  It will mirror the Biblical Greek course on campus and meet Greek language requirements for study at the seminary.

     "Our purpose at Concordia Theological Seminary is to support the church by forming servants in Jesus Christ.  We hope that offering Biblical Greek online will make it possible for more people to identify and make use of their talents and gifts for serving in God's kingdom," comments Academic Dean Dr. Lawrence Rast.   The course is open to anyone, men and women, who have adequate academic preparation to carry out the studies and are planning on or considering church work.
 
     View a sample lesson at www.ctsfw.edu/greekdemo.  For more information, contact Rev. William Johnson at (260) 452-3202 or william.johnson@ctsfw.edu.  To inquire about registering for the course, contact Mrs. Barbara Wegman at 260-452-2153 or by e-mail at registrar@ctsfw.edu.
 

Invitational
Campus
Visit
September 25–27
 
 www.ctsvisit.com
 
   This month's issue focuses on the upcoming Invitational Campus Visit (ICV). Why should you visit? When can you? What will you learn? Who will you meet?
 
     Come see for yourself!
 
www.ctsvisit.com
  • Have you thought about becoming a pastor or a deaconess?
    • Come. Meet your brothers and sisters in Christ who are also wrestling with how God would have them serve His Church and their neighbor. 
    • Worship with us. Join with the seminary community and see how you will be formed in Jesus Christ as a servant of the Church.

  • Have you decided to take the plunge in seminary life?
    • Learn the details of financial aid, housing, schools, and jobs.
    • You will call Fort Wayne home. Here is your chance to see your way around and make this community your own.
  • Have you wondered if or how the details will come together?
    • Your Admission counselor, our Relocation Coordinator Marsha Zimmerman, and the whole seminary community are here to answer your questions. And, if you're interested, they'll share with you their own experiences of how they made it to seminary.
www.ctsvisit.com


 What Others Say after Their ICV Experience:

I really enjoyed the chapel service on Friday. The music, the liturgy, the scripture reading, the sermon—all were very meaningful to me. Also, just being able to get to know the other prospective students, current students, and faculty and staff was great! It was really awesome to be able to share how God has been at work in my life since the beginning of this experience, and hear how He is at work in other’s lives. I never realized how much I have in common with others; one thing that the ICV helped me to see is the similarities or ‘common ground’ that we share—this was great and SO helpful!
Well, God used this visit to confirm, once again, that I am on the right path, so it is with GREAT JOY that I can say that I am looking forward to being at school there in the fall.
 
If you were asked about ICV by another prospective student, you would say . . . “That it’s great and they should definitely attend!” and “I would tell them . . . it will allow them to get to meet everyone, ask their questions, answer questions of the staff, and get to know the surroundings.”
 
ICV was informative and worthwhile to experience what the seminary has to offer.

www.ctsvisit.com
 


What You’ll Get from Attending the Fall ICV

10.     Campus—You’ve heard of the Gateway Arch. But did you know that the same man who made that also designed our Fort Wayne campus? The architecture is one-of-a-kind, not to mention that we have one-hundred-ninety acres of grass and trees. If you need peace and tranquility and a quiet place to study, we’re just the ticket. You’ll never know you’re inside the Fort Wayne city limits!
 
9.     Admission Counselors—So you’ve gotten an e-mail from Rev. Zielinski or chatted with Rev. Braaten on the phone. But have you met them in real life? Come and meet the counselor who’s been helping you through the admission process. Believe it or not, he was a student like you once too.
 
8.     Dean of Students—Rev. Brian Mosemann is new to the job, but he’s ready and anxious to hear your concerns. If you’re wondering about student insurance, living on campus, or how to use the Food and Clothing Co-op, he can help clarify for you.
 
7.     Fort Wayne—Our city has a rich history dating back to the 1700s, and there’s no end of things to do here. We have a brand new public library with America’s second largest genealogy department. We have an award winning children’s zoo that’s out of this world. We have a chocolate shop—DeBrand’s—that makes Donald Trump’s own "Trump Bar." From theaters to malls to conservatories to bike trails to walking paths to restaurants to pubs to parks to churches, you’ll never run out of options!

6.     Food—In case you’re wondering, we feed you really well over the weekend (and for free!). Can you say microbrew?
 
5.     Information—By the end of your weekend here, you’ll have learned about Financial Aid, the Food and Clothing Co-op, our Relocation Coordinator, the new curriculum, and the admission process. If we haven’t covered it by the time you’ve left, you probably don’t need to know it.
 
4.     Current Students—When you’re trying to figure out whether or not you can survive four years of graduate work, why not talk with some people who are studying right now? Students pursuing the Office of the Holy Ministry and the deaconess program are at your beck and call.

 
3.     Faculty—Wondering what you’ll be learning here at the seminary? Sit in on a class or two. Chat with professors after chapel at coffee hour or over lunch. They’re more than willing to talk with you. After all, theology is their specialty!
 
2.     Worship—Life at the seminary centers around our Lord coming to us in His Word and Sacrament. Each day that you’re here offers multiple times for worship.
 
1.     Discernment—It’s hard to know the answers to questions like, “Should I study to be a pastor?” So, if you’re looking for some clarification, come visit. Get your questions answered. See for yourself. Fill out an application. Think about the faith you confess and how it will grow as you are being formed as a servant in Jesus Christ.
 
www.ctsvisit.com
 


What to Bring:

  • An umbrella
  • A notebook and paper
  • Your Bible
  • Sunday attire for the banquet
  • Your camera
What NOT to Bring:
  • Linens and blankets. It’s ok. We got you covered.
  • Towels. The pond’s too cold to swim in.
  • Your gerbil. Sorry. No pets.
  • Your newborn baby cousin. First, there’s no daycare, and second, she’d just sleep through it anyway.
  • Your iPod. Seriously. You’ll be too busy doing other fun stuff. (Well, ok, you can bring it, but just to relax during a break.)
 

And Now a Word from Your Friendly Neighborhood Relocation Coordinator, Marsha Zimmerman

     While on campus for the Fall 2008 ICV, many of your questions regarding the campus layout, the curriculum, the financial aid process, the steps of enrollment, and so on will be answered as you attend classes and the presentations.

     If you are married, you will most likely have very specific questions relating to off campus housing, employment and schools. During ICV, there will be time for us to visit individually and address your particular questions and concerns. Since your time in Fort Wayne is limited, the more information I have prior to your arrival at our Fall ICV, the more productive our time together can be. Please contact me at 1-800-481-2155 ext. 2248 or e-mail me at marsha.zimmerman@ctsfw.edu.

     I am looking forward to assisting you in any way that I can as you contemplate relocating to Fort Wayne to attend CTS. Many other couples and families have successfully transitioned here and have found great joy in being a part of both the CTS and Fort Wayne communities. We are looking forward to having you as part of our seminary family.

Marsha Zimmerman
Relocation Coordinator
 
www.ctsvisit.com


All's Fair at the Information Fair

     You’re probably thinking, “Ok, so let’s say I go to school at Fort Wayne. I’m going to need a job. After studying all week, I’m going to need some spending money and some time out of the dorms!” Or maybe you’re married and thinking, “Not only do I need to find a job, but what about a house? And a school for my kids? And a place for my wife to work?”

    Take a deep breath. You’re not the first one to worry. Hundreds of men have gone through the pastoral ministry program before you and survived. Feel better? In case that’s not enough, we’re here to help.
          
     On Friday afternoon, nearly twenty vendors will be on hand at an information fair to help you find everything you need to get settled in Fort Wayne. A bank? A realtor? A moving company? A newspaper subscription? We’ve got it all. You can talk to other students one-on-one, not to mention ask questions of the people who are here to help you. Come to our information fair. You’ll get answers, and it just might put your mind a little more at ease.


Ladies Lunch

     If you’re the wife or girlfriend of a man considering the seminary, you might be wondering how you fit into the picture. Will you make friends? Will you find a job? What will you do while he’s conjugating Greek verbs? Are you going to be a homework widow for the next four years? What is happening to this man you married who suddenly is discussing eighth day creation and theodicies? (a what now?)

      You’re not alone. In fact, there’s a group just for you here at the seminary: the Student Wives Association. Comprised of women in the same boat as you, they meet at least once a month to do something uniquely feminine, whether it’s play games, make cards, drink tea, or just have fun.

      To help you get to know the wives who may be coming to the seminary at the same time as you, join Linda Wenthe, President Dean Wenthe’s wife, for a lunch with just the ladies. She’ll fill you in on what to expect, how to adjust, the importance of making friends, and anything else you need to know. Consider this your invitation! 



 

Formation: Essays for Future Pastors

Get your free copy: formation@ctsfw.edu
E-mail us your name and address.
 
     Formation: Essays for Future Pastors is a free book for you that is filled with essays from pastors, professors, and laypeople from all parts of the church all about what it means to be formed as a servant in Jesus Christ.
What a fantastic publication you have sent me. I am thoroughly engrossed in it at the moment, and going through each essay with a fine-toothed comb. I have read through the "discernment" section, and believe these texts are an amazing addition to the prospective applicant's materials. Thanks again. . . .Fantastic work by your admissions department, and i appreciate your thoughtfulness. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Request your free copy today, and be inspired by the stories of those who are serving the church and who are being served. E-mail: formation@ctsfw.edu
 
 

Best of Blog

 
     The Internet Monk is sending out "dispatches from the post evangelical wilderness." Michael Spencer describes himself as a "missional thinking, communicator, and writer." While not a Lutheran, he has come across the soon to be released Treasury of Daily Prayer from Concordia Publishing House, and he likes it—a lot.
 
Copyright 2008 Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana