"We’re moving to Fergus Falls!” Well, I wasn’t quite that blunt, but almost. I had been commuting for most of the school year to an evangelical seminary. Since I had to spend a year at Lutheran Brethren Seminary anyway in order to be ordained as a pastor in the Church of the Lutheran Brethren, my plan was to stay where I was for a second year and then move to Fergus. Only, I was tired of the drive and being away from my family a couple nights a week. So we changed the plan.

That’s not all that changed. I changed my mind. I honestly had not expected that the quality of any of the education at LBS would compare with that of a major seminary. I was wrong. I met faculty who were true scholars in their fields.

More importantly, I had a change of heart about the Word of God. I had not been aware of an attitude toward the Bible that was developing in me at the first school. One professor in particular used a mild form of what is called “higher criticism” for examining the Scriptures. In the process I subtly began to put myself above the Word. When I came to LBS, Dr. Boe began the class in interpreting the Scripture with the Bible on the lectern and with these words: “Students, our task in this class is to learn how to correctly examine the Scriptures.” Then he got down on his hands and knees, put his face to the floor, and said, “But we will first learn to always let the Scriptures examine us.” I was stunned, not by the sight of my dear professor with his face on the floor, but by the attitude I discovered in my heart.

Now more than ever it is crucial that we teach students the right attitude toward the Word. This article of faith—the authority and inerrancy of the Word—can keep us on track.

That’s why we exist as a seminary: to teach our future pastors and missionaries to trust the Word, to preach and teach the Word, and to submit themselves to the Word.

And we exist to instruct them how to teach and preach the grace of God in Christ crucified and risen. Lost people everywhere need this grace. Mature Christians need this grace.

These are the reasons why the Board of the Lutheran Brethren Seminary set the following first Strategic Direction:
“Prepare pastors, missionaries, and other ministry leaders within the context of our CLB Statement of Faith and our CLB Core Values for their task of making disciples.”

Dr. David Veum is President of Lutheran Brethren Seminary in Fergus Falls, MN.

Visit Lutheran Brethren Seminary online at www.lbs.edu.

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