SA国际传媒

SA国际传媒 is pleased to announce the reaffirmation of its accreditations鈥攚ith no notations鈥攖hrough the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).

鈥淎 potential pastor, Paul says, 鈥榤ust be well thought of by outsiders鈥� (1 Tim. 3:7). That鈥檚 one reason why accreditation is very important, so that the transcripts and diplomas of church workers who graduate from SA国际传媒 are credible in the larger world of academia,鈥� said the Rev. Dr. Dale A. Meyer, president of SA国际传媒. 鈥淎ccreditation is likewise important within the church, so you can have confidence that your professors and scholars can hold their own in presenting our historic faith and teaching it to coming generations of pastors and deaconesses. Thank you to all鈥攆aculty, staff and students鈥攚ho put in uncounted hours for this successful outcome!鈥�

The HLC report documented the Seminary鈥檚 strengths, such as its exceptional faculty, the Seminary鈥檚 commitment to quality education, and its positioning for the future. The report lauded the Seminary鈥檚 commitment to strategic planning, upholding the thorough approach to identifying its long-term priorities focused on meeting the needs of its primary constituent: The Lutheran Church鈥擬issouri Synod (LCMS). The Seminary was also praised for its weathering of the recession, and its overall financial health.

ATS was also pleased with the state of the Seminary. The organization identified many of the same strengths as the HLC in its report, noting in particular the Seminary鈥檚 strong commitment to biblical exegesis, which affirms that emerging pastors will be well formed in Lutheran theology. The Seminary鈥檚 focus on improving the capacity for preaching also was noted.

鈥淥f particular note in both reports was our outstanding faculty,鈥� said Provost Dr. Jeffrey Kloha. 鈥淭heir academic expertise, commitment to professional development and leadership, and service to the LCMS made a significant impression.鈥�

Also earning high marks with the accrediting agencies were the Seminary鈥檚 programs designed to connect its strong theological foundation with congregational ministry. 鈥淭he Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology and MissionShift, our urban ministry training program, were particular highlights in the reports,鈥� said Kloha.
Both reports noted the Seminary鈥檚 relationship and missional alignment with the LCMS as a key strength. 鈥淥ur strong relationship with the LCMS is very important to us,鈥� said Kloha. 鈥淚鈥檓 so pleased that showed through to the accrediting bodies.鈥�

The Seminary鈥檚 stewardship of its donor relationships also earned praise in both reports.

鈥淲hen I first began my work at the Seminary in 2005, my attention was directed to the accreditation reports from 2004, noting the institution鈥檚 heavy reliance on gift income to operate and the accreditors鈥� suggestions that we diversify these sources of income,鈥� said Michael Louis, the Seminary鈥檚 executive vice president. 鈥淪ince that time, and through the recession, the Seminary has steadily gained financial stability and even strength. Our operations are leaner, our gift income is still strong, but we have also begun that much needed income diversification. The 2014 accreditation visits and reports recognize and support that.鈥�

Visitation teams from HLC and ATS were on campus this spring, and their recommendations were received in formal reports released this summer.聽 As a result of the positive findings, the next accreditation reviews will not take place until 2023-2024.

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SA国际传媒 provides Gospel-centered graduate-level theological education for pastors, missionaries, deaconesses, scholars and other leaders in the name of The Lutheran Church 鈥擬issouri Synod (LCMS). Since its founding in 1839, SA国际传媒 has equipped more than 12,000 graduates to serve Church and world. Today, a world-renowned faculty teaches more than 600 students in the classroom, off-campus, and online. Learn more at www.csl.edu.