Fall Board Meeting

ILT Board Charts Vision Amid Financial Challenges

The Institute of Lutheran Theology (ILT) Board of Directors met in September to review progress, address financial concerns, and cast vision for the seminary’s future. President Dennis Bielfeldt challenged board members to consider ILT’s role in shaping the next generation of pastors. Directors voiced strong support for ILT’s mission, highlighting the need to expand enrollment, strengthen publicity, and provide pastors for rural and urban congregations. “If we had 250 right-thinking pastors in the pipeline, it would make a tremendous difference,” Bielfeldt emphasized.

Regarding ILT’s current financial position, members discussed strategies to stabilize finances, including tuition adjustments, donor development, and improved communications.

Guest presentations included Dr. Jeff Kloha from the Center for Missional Pastoral Leadership, which launched this fall with 24 students, and Joleen Pietrzak of the Global Methodist Church, reporting on a new Wesleyan Studies program. Both emphasized the importance of online, congregationally based training models.

In new initiatives, the board advanced Momentum, a congregational revitalization network now engaging 11 congregations, and explored collaboration with the Meros Center for Community Health Ministries. Trustees also discussed opportunities related to the Dana College campus redevelopment.