An Invitation to a Bright Future: Paul Erbes Joins the LSTC Board with a Vision for Hope and Transformation
For Paul Erbes, Vice President of Advancement & Marketing at Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake, joining the board of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago is more than a professional contribution—it’s a homecoming to the questions and convictions that have shaped his entire life. A longtime pastor and seasoned advancement executive, Erbes brings with him not only a wealth of experience in fundraising and church vitality, but also a deep and personal commitment to theological education, rooted in a lifelong understanding of vocation as a living, evolving conversation with God.
“Vocation is an evolution,” Erbes reflects. “It’s about listening—really listening—to God, to Scripture, to our neighbors… even to our doubts.”
Erbes’ journey began at Luther Theological Seminary, where he first explored his call to ministry. Over two decades of pastoral leadership across the Rocky Mountain Synod, he cultivated a love for helping others discern their callings. “I loved walking with people through their first questions about faith, identity, and purpose. I love the idea of exploring vocation.” For Erbes, that work was a calling.
Eventually, that calling evolved. Whether building new church communities from the ground up, guiding congregations to establish endowments, or leading fundraising efforts at institutions like Thrivent, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, and Wartburg Seminary, Erbes found his passion in equipping others for lasting, faithful impact.
Now, as one of LSTC’s newest board members, Erbes brings a spirit of possibility grounded in realism—and in hope.
A Seminary for the Church That Is and the Church to Come
With enrollment in U.S. seminaries dropping precipitously over the last decade, Erbes acknowledges the challenges facing theological education today. But he is clear: LSTC must be a place that resists despair and inspires hope.
“The role of the seminary is to proclaim that God is still at work, and that the church is still the body of Christ,” he says. “If we believe that, then we have a strong vision of the future.”
For Erbes, that future means broadening our conception of ministry—and of ministry education. He’s energized by LSTC’s commitment to forming leaders not only for congregational service but for public witness, advocacy, and ecumenical partnership. “Public church work is in LSTC’s DNA,” he says. “You don’t graduate [from here] without understanding that you are called to be a public voice.”
He sees LSTC’s unique ecumenical setting and commitment to justice as key advantages in a changing landscape. “Three seminaries in one building? That’s rare—and powerful,” he says, acknowledging that LSTC’s partnerships and context position the institution to shape a truly collaborative, responsive future for the church.
Wisdom for Emerging Leaders
When asked what he hopes to offer LSTC as a board member, Erbes returns to the practice that has guided his own journey: listening.
“Listening is the most important skill I’ve learned. Listening to your neighbor. Listening to Scripture. Listening for the voice of God—sometimes in a whisper,” he says with a smile.
He also encourages emerging leaders to make space for doubt.
“Doubt is sacred. It means you’re wrestling, that you’re in conversation with your faith. That’s not weakness—it’s growth.”
A Light for the Future
Erbes grounds his life and leadership in Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” For him, it’s not just a verse—it’s a calling.
“My hope,” he says, “is that when people encounter me—or the work I’m part of—they see God in action.”
It’s a vision that mirrors the mission of LSTC: forming visionary leaders to bear witness to God’s love, justice, and promise in a changing world.
And with leaders like Paul Erbes helping to guide the way, that vision burns bright.