Project Starling

Expanding Access to Theological Education

Project Starling is an innovative online learning platform developed by the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) launching Summer 2025. With a goal of making theological education accessible to all, Project Starling will offer a rich array of courses, known as resources, as well as certificate programs, workshops, and training opportunities tailored for those seeking theological education.

Designed to support career and spiritual growth, Project Starling caters to a diverse audience, including those who aspire to leadership in the church, rostered ministers, pastors, deacons, lay leaders, individuals on personal spiritual journeys, and lifelong learners passionate about exploring faith and theology. Learners can choose from individual resources, or complete specializations—a series of interconnected resources—for a more in-depth educational experience.

The platform provides both free and paid options, allowing learners to earn certificates and credentials upon completion. Whether pursuing professional development, spiritual formation, or simply learning for its own sake, Project Starling offers accessible and high-quality theological education for all.

Request More Information

Coming: Summer 2025

For Theological Emerging Ministers (TEEM):

Project Starling TEEM Certificate

For Synod Authorized Ministers:

Project Starling SAMs Development Program

For Lifelong Learners:

Learning Resources

The Public Church, taught by Dr. Marvin Wickware
Spiritual Formation, taught by Dr. Craig Mueller
Church’s Witness: A Survey of Church History, Peter Vethanayagamony
Lutheran Confessions, taught by Dr. Candace Kohli
Sacramental Landscape/Introduction to Worship, taught by Dr. Christian Scharen
Pastoral Care Across the Lifecycle, taught by Dr. Brooke Petersen
Hebrew Bible, taught by Dr. Esther Menn

Workshops

Boundaries
Leadership/Stewardship
Pastoral Care
ELCA Structure/Polity
Christian Education
Church Administration

LSTC graduates Jason Williams (TEEM), Stephen Styles (MA), Bishop Curry, Sean Ramsey (TEEM) and Llewelyn Dixon (TEEM) at the 2023 LSTC graduation.

Introduction to Project Starling’s Theological Education for Emerging Ministers (TEEM) Program

The Theological Education for Emerging Ministers (TEEM) program at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) is a groundbreaking initiative within Project Starling. It redefines theological education by prioritizing accessibility, flexibility, and learner-driven progress, enabling individuals to respond to their God-given vocations without the traditional constraints of rearranging their lives or adhering to fixed schedules.

This asynchronous program is designed to remove barriers to education, allowing learners to pursue their calling at their own pace. Whether balancing family, work, or ministry responsibilities, TEEM provides an adaptable path to fulfill the ELCA candidacy requirements for ordination.

The Project Starling TEEM Program offers:

High-Quality Resources: Developed by LSTC’s distinguished faculty, each resource, or course, aligns with the ELCA candidacy competencies while incorporating LSTC’s unique Public Church curriculum which places a deep relationship with community context at the heart of all learning.
Flexible Learning: Anytime, anywhere access enables learners to complete the program at their own pace.
Scholarship Opportunities: In addition to the affordable cost, LSTC is committed to offering scholarship opportunities that substantially reduce the rate of the entire program, ensuring accessibility for learners with diverse financial needs.

Program Highlights

Curriculum Overview

The program includes 11 resources, each broken into smaller modules, covering core ELCA candidacy competencies:

Bible: Understanding and interpreting Scripture through a Lutheran lens.
Theology and Ethics: Critical reflection using Lutheran theological and ethical frameworks.
Lutheran Confessions: Articulation and integration of foundational Lutheran teachings.
Church History: A study of Lutheranism’s history, particularly in the U.S.
Worship: Leadership in worship, preaching, and spiritual guidance.
Teaching: Educating others in the Christian faith.
Evangelical Mission and Stewardship: Leading faith communities in outreach and stewardship.
ELCA Structure and Polity: Understanding the church’s organizational structure.
Administration: Essential church administrative skills.
Service: Advocacy for justice, hunger, and poverty issues.
Pastoral Care: Providing and leading ministries of care in diverse life circumstances.

Learners complete 11 resources plus an Orientation module to earn the TEEM certificate.

Admission and Support

Application Process

TEEM students must be nominated by their synod and bishop. The application process is streamlined, reflecting the rigorous vetting by synods. Once you are prepared to start the Project Starling TEEM program at LSTC, apply here.

As a TEEM candidate the seminary knows you have been vigorously vetted by you synod, thus the application process is less formal. Once this application is complete you will then be accepted in the Project Starling TEEM program at LSTC.

Apply here

Financial Aid Process for TEEM Learners

At LSTC, we are dedicated to ensuring that the TEEM Certificate program is financially accessible to all learners. In addition to offering affordable tuition, we are committed to helping learners receive grant or donor support that significantly reduces the cost of the program.

Grant and Donor Support: Our team works closely with donors and grant providers to secure funding that will offset program costs for qualified learners.

Complete the TEEM Financial Aid Form

All learners seeking financial assistance must submit this form to be considered for available scholarships and grants.

Vima Couvertier- Cruz preaching at the Service of Holy Communion in the LSTC Chapel.

LSTC SAMs Development Program for Synods

Equipping Synodically Authorized Ministers for Faithful Leadership

The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) offers a dynamic and accessible Synodically Authorized Ministers (SAM) Development Program through Project Starling. This program provides ELCA synods and individual learners with cutting-edge theological education and ministry training tailored to diverse contexts and leadership needs.

Overview

The SAM Development Program is designed to train lay leaders authorized by their synods to serve congregations where ordained pastoral leadership is unavailable. LSTC’s faculty-developed resources focus on building the core competencies required of SAMs in the ELCA, equipping leaders with practical skills, theological grounding, and cultural adaptability.

The program offers two flexible pathways:

Instructor-Led Training for Synods – Guided learning with local facilitators for group settings.
Individual Learner Licensing – Self-paced learning modules for independent learners.

Benefits for Synods and Individual Learners

For Synods:

Access to a robust library of theological learning resources tailored to local ministry needs.
Options to customize training with scalable licensing models.
Tools to track SAM learners’ progress and performance.

For Learners:

Affordable access to high-quality theological education.
The ability to learn at their own pace, accommodating personal schedules.
Digital certification to demonstrate program completion and readiness for ministry.

Pathway 1: Instructor-Led Training for Synods

Designed for synods that prefer guided learning experiences, this pathway provides both instructor and learner resources to ensure effective training.

What’s Included?

Instructor Resources:
- A comprehensive Instructor’s Guide with lesson plans, discussion prompts, and assessment tools.
Learner Materials:
- Access to 1–11 resources (12 modules per resource).

Contact LSTC for Licensing Options & Pricing for Instructor-Led Training. Customized licensing options allow synods to select specific resources aligned with their ministry goals.

Pathway 2: Individual Learners

This pathway provides individual learners access to self-paced modules, offering flexibility and autonomy in their theological education.

What’s Included?

Self-Paced Learning Modules:
- Individual access from 1 to 11 core resources (1- 132 modules).
- Digital certificates upon completion of each module.
Support for Synods:
- Synods can purchase licenses for learners and track progress through LSTC’s systems.

Key Partnerships & Financial Aid Opportunities

LSTC is committed to making theological education affordable. Synods and learners can benefit from generous scholarship opportunities. To apply for Project Starling SAMs Development grant or other scholarships, complete this financial aid form.

Why Choose LSTC’s SAM Development Program?

Flexible Learning Options: Tailored pathways to meet the unique needs of synods and individuals.
High-Quality Resources: Faculty-designed modules grounded in Lutheran theology.
Customizable Licensing: Synods can license resources that align with their ministry goals.
Affordable Tuition with Scholarships: Significant financial support is available to reduce costs.
Digital Credentials: Learners receive certificates to validate their ministry training.

By partnering with LSTC’s Project Starling, synods can invest in the development of effective and faithful leaders to support congregational vitality across diverse contexts.