Nothing Has Changed
I recently reviewed CLB history for an adult class, using videos produced by the Communications & Prayer department for the CLB’s 125th Anniversary. We found this helpful in understanding where we came from and who we are as a Church body. I was struck by Dr. Joel Christenson’s summary of our seminary’s priorities from the start: “Our commitment to biblical inerrancy, Lutheran Confessionalism, the ideal of ‘the living congregation,’ and the training of men and women for active involvement in God’s greater redemptive mission…”
Does this still hold true for Lutheran Brethren Seminary? One would expect great changes over 125 years’ time. How much has changed even over the 40 years since I attended LBS (1982-1985)?
The LBS location has changed since then, if only slightly. But the new building is still connected with the same campus. We all know how much technology has changed. The 1980s was a different world. No computers! Instruction was accomplished with chalkboards and overhead projectors. Serious study required access to books and was difficult outside the seminary library. For any student to become a real pastor, he needed to develop his own office library, often with recycled books donated by retiring pastors. (I still have and use Pastor Norman Tungseth’s set of Lenski.)
The faculty has changed completely over these 40 years. Many greatly appreciated professors are home with the Lord now. Gjerness, Bjornlie, Levang, Hosch, Lunde… most recently John Kilde. Eugene Boe arrived as a rookie professor for my second year of seminary. Now retired from the seminary, Dr. Boe still serves as the CLB’s Theologian in Residence.
Though much has changed, in the ways that matter most for the kingdom of God, nothing has changed. In the middle of my first year as an intern pastor, I suddenly found myself alone, inexperienced, in need of a mentor. Professor Boe stepped in to advise me, driving hundreds of miles to preach and encourage me one weekend each month. This personal connection of students (and pastors) with LBS faculty continues, as I know I can still call Dr. Boe today, and I am confident my questions would also be welcomed by any of the current faculty.
It has always been this way. There exists a continuous circle of God-ordained relationships. Just as a young Gene Boe mentored me, I later had the privilege of mentoring a student-pastor named Troy Tysdal. Today Dr. Tysdal serves as LBS President.
The excellent teaching at LBS continues. And the LBS priorities from the beginning—“Our commitment to biblical inerrancy, Lutheran Confessionalism, the ideal of ‘the living congregation,’ and the training of men and women for active involvement in God’s greater redemptive mission…”—none of this has changed.
LBS remains true to its name, true to our Church, true to the Lord. We know where we came from. It informs who we are today.
Brent Juliot is Contributing Editor of Faith & Fellowship magazine and Pastor of Living Hope Church, Menomonie, WI.