By Cheryl Magness
Earlier this year, the Concordia University System (CUS) unveiled a new scholarship program for students pursuing church work at one of the CUS universities. Students were invited to submit applications in June and July, and the scholarships were awarded in early August.
The response, said CUS Vice-President Rev. Dr. Douglas Spittel in a recent interview on KFUO’s The Coffee Hour, was “phenomenal,” with 279 applications received. “We wish we could have given a scholarship to every single one of them,” he said.
That wasn’t possible, but the CUS was able to award $5,000 each to 120 students scattered across the CUS system. One hundred of those consisted of the first 20 students at each of the five CUS universities who met the qualifications; an additional 20 scholarships were awarded to students across the CUS who met the qualifications for specific endowment funds.
The scholarship recipients are pursuing a variety of church work programs: pre-seminary, deaconess, Lutheran school teacher, director of Christian education, director of parish music and others. The funds go directly to the student’s school account and may be used to cover tuition, room and board, supplies, daily expenses, or other school-related needs.
Just the beginning
This is the first time that the CUS has awarded scholarships directly to students. CUS President Rev. Dr. Jamison Hardy said it’s just the beginning: “It is our heartfelt hope that the CUS Scholarship Endowment Fund will grow to the size that in the near future we will be able to give out a thousand of these scholarships every year.”
That number — 1,000 — is a number that would help meet the needs of the calling congregations. Currently, there are 846 students pursuing church work programs at a Concordia university. At this summer’s LCMS Youth Gathering in New Orleans, LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison called for a thousand more.
Addressing the Gathering during the closing Divine Service, Harrison said to the youth who were present, “We need you now. [We need] commissioned ministers. We need pastors now, badly. I need a thousand of you to stand up to the call and go do it. … Go to a seminary, go to a Concordia. Visit. Talk to people. And you will have the most wonderful career.”
Hardy said that he would like the endowment fund to grow to the point that it can ensure cost is not an obstacle to any LCMS youth who wants to pursue church work. What is that amount right now, based on current enrollment? “One hundred million,” Hardy said, adding that $80 million is still needed to reach that goal. He said there’s still much work to be done, but “God’s people are hearing and responding.”
All donations to the endowment fund go directly to students.
“When you give to this endowment,” Hardy said, “kids will receive financial support, period. There’s no overhead. Gifts go straight into the endowment fund and, from there, directly into student accounts.”
As part of receiving a CUS scholarship, each recipient pledges to serve as a called worker for at least five years after graduation from college or seminary. In addition, each recipient must be a member in good standing of an LCMS congregation and must have a recommendation from his or her pastor.
Spittel said that shortly after this first round of awards was made, the CUS office began receiving feedback about the impact — sometimes life-altering — on students. Here is a small sampling of those responses:
- “I am very appreciative of this scholarship and the opportunities it will provide. I … hope to one day give back to others in the same way you have supported me. Thank you for your kindness!” — Junior church music/music education major, Concordia University, Nebraska (CUNE), Seward, Neb.
- “Thank you so much for this opportunity. I can’t wait for what the Lord has in store for me in my teaching journey.” — Education major, Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Ill.
- “I am so grateful to the Concordia University System for blessing me with this wonderful scholarship opportunity. It was an answered prayer in many ways and has been an incredible gift at a financially difficult time for my family of church workers. I thank God for your generosity!” — Education major, Concordia University Irvine (CUI), Irvine, Calif.
Concordia university leaders have also responded with appreciation for all that this new program means for students.
“It’s a critical time in our Synod’s history,” said the Rev. Dr. Brian German, chairman of the theology department at Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, Wis. “The need for church workers is great, and the CUS Scholarship Endowment Fund goes right to the heart of the matter by providing direct financial support to church work students for years to come. I’m very encouraged to see this fund established and I commend the CUS for doing it.”
The Rev. Dr. Mark Koschmann, chief mission officer at Concordia University, St. Paul, St. Paul, Minn., noted both the material and spiritual impact of the scholarships: “For our students, these scholarships are more than financial help — they are a strong reminder that the church believes in them and is walking with them as they prepare for ministry.”
The Rev. Dr. David Loy, dean of Christ College at CUI, emphasized that the CUS scholarships do not subtract from or replace others a church work student may need. “The CUS scholarship stacks on top of Concordia Irvine’s 80% tuition discount for eligible church worker students, enabling future church workers to worry even less about finances as they prepare to serve in the Lord’s church. This is a true blessing.”
Aaron Roberts, CUNE associate vice-president of Undergraduate Admissions, said, “We are thankful for every scholarship and grant that makes enrollment a reality. We join each of the recipients and their families in a heartfelt thanks to the Concordia University System for their support.”
And the Rev. Dr. Chad Kendall, CUC associate vice-president for Church Relations and Mission, observed, “Culturally, young Americans are living at a time that provides challenging dynamics, from economics to the struggle to search out truth. At the same time, the LCMS is facing a great need to increase the number of church workers.
“Finances are often an issue for students, as well as weighing the prospects of salary, job placement and the ability to pay off debts. The Concordia University System is working hard to provide a way to alleviate some of these concerns. By providing these scholarships, the CUS is providing a godly service: they are helping to alleviate some of the earthly concerns of students such that the student may have opportunity to think more clearly and focus on the Lord’s direction in their lives. At Concordia University Chicago, we rejoice in this opportunity for students as we focus on the great need of our Synod to see that students are prepared to serve.”
To learn more about the CUS, read updates from CUS institutions or support the CUS Scholarship Endowment Fund, visit cus.edu.
Posted Oct. 2, 2025
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