The Campaign for LSTC
Strengthening the Public Church through Innovation
“For in him every one of God’s promises is a ‘Yes.’ For this reason, it is through him that we say the ‘Amen,’ to the glory of God.”
— 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NRSVue)
From Vision to Action.
From Innovation to Enduring Impact.
The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago is living into a moment of profound opportunity.
In recent years, LSTC has relocated to a vibrant new campus, pioneered new models of theological education, and exceeded its preliminary campaign goal of $7.5 million—ahead of schedule. These milestones are more than achievements; they are proof that LSTC’s vision for a bold, justice-centered, public church is both needed and working.
From Promise to Impact is the next step. This campaign builds on what we have already started and will ensure that LSTC’s innovations become sustainable, scalable, and capable of serving the church for generations to come.
The Impact of Your Support
Your generosity fuels formation, access, and innovation—preparing leaders who are theologically grounded, culturally responsive, and equipped for the realities of ministry today.
Through this campaign, your gift helps:
- Strengthen the church’s public witness through justice-centered leadership and interreligious engagement
- Expand access to theological education for leaders who cannot relocate or leave their communities
- Remove financial barriers that prevent gifted students from answering their call
- Multiply LSTC’s reach through technology, scholarship, and global partnerships
Campaign Priorities
Project Starling
Making Theological Education Accessible
Traditional seminary education has too often required relocation, full-time study, and significant financial sacrifice—barriers that exclude many called leaders.
Project Starling re-imagines theological education through asynchronous, accessible learning that meets people where they are. Designed for TEEM candidates, Synod Authorized Ministers, lay leaders, and lifelong learners, Starling is already transforming how formation happens.
Now, we are building what comes next:
- Sustainable revenue models
- Multilingual and culturally contextual content
- Partnerships with congregations and church bodies
- Infrastructure for long-term growth and global reach
Your support ensures Project Starling doesn’t just exist—it endures.
Watch how access to theological education made learner Michelle Wandersee’s call possible.
Technology & Treasures
Our Modern Gutenberg Press
To serve today’s learners at scale, LSTC must invest in the tools that make learning accessible and engaging.
A dedicated video production studio will allow LSTC to:
- Produce high-quality theological content and full Starling courses
- Respond quickly to current events with public theology
- Train students in media skills for modern ministry
- Share faculty scholarship with a global audience
This same infrastructure will allow us to preserve and share LSTC’s rare books collection—over 1,100 rare volumes and manuscripts—through digitization, virtual exhibitions, and scholarly interpretation.
Just as Gutenberg democratized access to Scripture, this investment democratizes access to theological wisdom.
Scholarships & Student Support
Removing the Barriers to Calling
Financial barriers continue to turn away gifted, faithful leaders—not because they lack vocation, but because they lack resources.
This campaign prioritizes:
- Tuition scholarships for degree and certificate students
- Housing assistance, especially for international students
- Emergency funds for life’s inevitable crises
Scholarships are not charity—they are strategic investments in the future of the church.
When students are supported, leaders are formed. When leaders are formed, communities flourish.
Sharei Green, MDiv ’25, once candidly told us: “without scholarships, I wouldn’t be here.” Watch how support like yours shaped her discernment story:
Centers & Initiatives
Living Our Public Church Commitment
LSTC’s Centers and Initiatives embody its commitment to justice-centered scholarship, interreligious engagement, and public leadership.
Through the:
- Albert “Pete” Pero, Jr. and Cheryl Stewart Pero Center for Intersectionality Studies
- Center for Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice
- Leadership Initiative and the Damm Chair in Leadership
LSTC equips leaders to navigate complexity with theological depth, ethical clarity, and practical wisdom.
Your support strengthens these centers so they can serve congregations, communities, and the wider church with courage and imagination.
The Invitation
Join Us in Moving from Promise to Impact
The foundation is strong. The vision is proven. What happens next depends on all of us.
From Promise to Impact is an invitation—to ensure that LSTC’s innovations become enduring commitments to the church and the world.
Your gift strengthens the public church through innovation.
Your partnership forms leaders for generations to come.