Welcome to this third issue of the Alumni Newsletter!

Our Alumni Council recently shared with me that many graduates feel a bit isolated. We strive to make life on campus a loving and caring culture, but out in the field … well, it’s real-world ministry. We hope that in some small way this newsletter helps remind us all of a wonderful truth, “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (2 Kings 6:16 ESV).

Applications for next year currently stand at 72. That’s up 10 over last year and 18 from the year before. Master of Divinity applications this year are 61, up from 54 last year and 48 the year before. New recruitment procedures and a very generous financial aid package (thanks in large part to faithful donors!) is helping make the difference, but we obviously need more students because the number of pastoral vacancies continues to rise. Thank you for talking up the joys of ministry.

While some say this is a tough time for the church and, in many ways it is, ours is the ministry of our Lord Jesus. Have to be upbeat!

Dr. Dale A. Meyer, President
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis