A Brief History of Lutheran Schools
by Melvin M. Kieschnick
The impressive number and quality of schools that are supported by ELCA congregations are testimony to the many different strands and priorities of predecessor church bodies and the faithful dedication of many individuals who very often work for substandard pay.

Campus Ministry Celebrating Centennial
by James L. Norlie
The year 2007 marks the 100th anniversary of Lutheran Campus Ministry (LCM) in America. The Rev. Howard Gold was its first campus pastor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Today 185 campus ministries serve public and private universities and colleges across the U.S. Also, more than 400 congregations regularly open their doors of welcome to students, faculty, and university staff members in their college communities.

Christian Formation and Vocation
by Donald A. Wisner
This campus ministry helps students hear God's call to vocation through the art of mentoring.

The College-Related Church: Collaboration for the Future
by Ernest L. Simmons, Jr.
What do those who minister in our centers of higher learning expect from the congregations of our church? The author looks toward a "college- related" church as our churches collaborate with our ministries in higher education.

Colleges and Life-long Learning: Where Church Meets World
by Arland D. Jacobson
Since the 1960s Lutheran church colleges have seen their mission as including their wider communities as well as their church bodies and students. This brief history of attempts at such engagement testifies to the living vision of the church college as a critical place where the church meets the world.

"Daily Stuff" of Life
by Megan Jones
Some thoughts on vocation from a campus pastor, and how two of the students she is working with are responding to God's call.

Educating for Life
by Guy Erwin
At California Lutheran University, where I teach religion and history, there has been much conversation among faculty and administrators over the last few years about questions of vocation and identity. Like many of our partner ELCA-affiliated colleges and universities, we have been asking ourselves two major questions: "What does it mean to be a Lutheran university in this place and time?" and "How do we educate our students in such a way as to nurture in them a sense of their vocation in the world?"

ELCA Colleges / Congregation Connections
Institutions for higher learning in the ELCA do more than educate the students who walk through their doors. Two universities tell their stories of how they are bringing useful resources into area congregations for the equipping and enriching of the saints there.

Exploring Life Wildly, Preciously, and Meaningfully
by Willie Painter
A recent graduate from Pacific Lutheran University describes how his school's vocational education is shaping his career choices.

Facing the First Year
by Beth Platz and Larry L. Meyer
Congregations, with the resources of faith and care, can help their students maneuver through the first year of higher education.

Faith and learning in the Northwest
by Richard Rouse and Dennis Sepper
How the ELCA's Pacific Lutheran University, situated in the northwest United States, faces the mix of cultures, traditions, and faiths.

Food for Thought
by Laura Wind
Congregation-based campus ministry at its best enriches all involved — the congregation, the college or university, and the students. Food (of several kinds) plays a big part in this North Carolina congregation’s program.

For the Sake of Students: A Campus Ministry History
by Brent Christianson
What began in a Wisconsin prayer meeting in 1905 with a dozen students now involves many thousands of students across the country in a wide range of social, spiritual, and service-oriented activities.

An Incentive to Service: Lutheran Higher Education in the U.S.A.
by L. DeAne Lagerquist
Throughout its nearly 175 years of history in the United States, Lutheran higher education has striven to follow the ideals of faithfulness to its foundations and service to the world, stepping up to the challenges of the present while not losing sight of its primary goals.

Making the Congregational Connection
by Nancy J. Conner and Dennis G. Sepper
Students, while away from their "home" congregation, are still a part of your community. Here are some guidelines to help your congregation minister to them.

Manna from Heaven
by Laura Esposito
Participating in "Theological Education for Youth" for high schoolers was one reason our author was inspired to explore vocation and service in the church. This is her story.

A Movement among Lutheran Students
by Christopher S. Heavner
For as long as there have been Lutheran campus ministries, there have been Lutheran student organizations. These organizations have provided a forum in which students could put into practice what they were learning from campus pastors and chaplains. Since 1969, the name by which these organizations have been known is Lutheran Student Movement–USA (LSM–USA).

Sampling Seminary
by Kimberly Knowle
Trinity Lutheran Seminary offers a summer "Sampler" for high school students exploring ministry and vocation. From the "Sampler" through college and service in Africa, our author sees God's plan unfolding for her.

Shaping Spirituality
by Andrew F. Weisner
Our colleges and universities provide a variety of opportunities to help sustain students' spiritual lives. One of our ELCA schools, Lenoir-Rhyne College, takes its cue from our rich Word and sacrament heritage.

Seeking to live Out the Call
by William Withers
A church college professor tells his vocational story and how he tries to shape the vocational dreams of students in the communication arts field.

Something for Everyone: Seminaries and Life-long Learning
by Mark A. Staples
In this age of networking, creative partnerships between seminaries and many other organizations lead to wide-ranging opportunities for enrichment and growth for learners of all ages.

Synod-based Lifelong Learning: A Model for Theological Education
by Jessica Crist
Synodically based or freestanding centers for life-long learning, says the author, are flexible, adaptable, efficient, and cost-effective — a model for theological education across the whole church.

Take Care of My Loved Ones
by Judith Ann Cobb
Going away to college can be a stress-filled experience for young people and for those in homes and congregations who have nurtured them. The nurturing can and should continue on campus.

Testing Faith
by Joanne S. Richmond
In the midst of academic and campus life, students are facing the fires of life's tests. A faithful God promises the strength to endure.

Understanding the World of Young Adults
by Joanne E. Engquist
Annual conferences are providing essential continuing education to campus ministers who serve in the name of Jesus Christ in the academic world for the sake of the faith lives of young adults.

A Vision Bigger Than Ourselves
by Carol Jacobson
Our eight ELCA seminaries all have programs to address the interests and needs of high school students and young adults. Our author gives us a personal glimpse into the programs, "Life Together" and "Faith Active in Love" hosted by Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley, California.

Welcoming Home to God
by Jesse David Hill
Claiming one's identity as a child of Christ and listening to God's voice are the foci of Ohio State's Lutheran campus ministry.