Harrison writes pastoral letter to CUWAA Board of Regents

On June 5, Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison wrote a pastoral letter to the Board of Regents of Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor (CUWAA). On June 6, the letter was read by Concordia University System President-Elect Rev. Dr. Jamison Hardy to the board. It was later released in an online forum.

The letter was written as a fraternal note to a limited audience, not as an official statement to the church. Nevertheless, it holds pastoral wisdom and comfort that is of benefit for the entire church, particularly those who are personally affected by the issues surrounding CUWAA’s Ann Arbor campus. For that reason, the full text of the letter is now being made publicly available. Read it here.

Harrison’s letter directly addresses the CUWAA regents regarding financial issues currently being faced by the university, particularly at its Ann Arbor campus. On Feb. 13 of this year, CUWAA President Dr. Erik Ankerberg sent a letter to CUWAA students and alumni regarding a comprehensive review of the university’s finances that was completed on Feb. 1. The analysis showed the need for the university to reduce costs, particularly at the Ann Arbor campus, to operate sustainably within existing revenues.

On Feb. 19, the Synod published an update on issues surrounding CUWAA and the Ann Arbor campus, noting that Synod bylaws hold each Concordia university’s board of regents “responsible for the institution’s governance, planning, administration and management of assets, resources and operations.” CUWAA has been providing regular updates on the CUAA website.

Invited to comment for this story, LCMS Michigan District President Rev. David Davis expressed concerns about the CUWAA Board of Regents’ recent decisions regarding the Ann Arbor campus and questioned the need for “such a drastic diminishment,” noting the “disappointment and disruption [brought] into the lives of students, faculty, staff and congregations.”

Davis said, “We celebrate the contribution of CUAA and its ‘Christ First’ ministry these past 60 years training students for church work and other vocations. … With God’s help, our district will work to see how we can align with CUW at Ann Arbor in the future.”

In a recent comment, CUWAA President Ankerberg stated, “Concordia University Wisconsin is doing all it can to maintain a physical presence in the Michigan District. We are prioritizing our missional commitments as part of the Concordia University System by seeking to serve as many LCMS students as possible and by rebuilding our church work programs to meet the needs of the church today and into the future.

“We are also promoting our strongest academic programs, including health care and legacy liberal arts education as means to encourage students to find other vocations through which they can serve their neighbors. Finally, the university is making these necessary changes so the Ann Arbor campus not only survives but is sustainable and successfully carrying out its work for generations to come.”

CUWAA has created a form to give individuals an opportunity to share their thoughts. Find it here.

Posted Aug. 15, 2024