North American Lutheran Seminary

The North American Lutheran Seminary (NALS) is the seminary system of the North American Lutheran Church. The proposal resulted from the work of NALC's Task Force for Theological Education and recommended two components for the seminary system. The seminary describes itself as "not investing in bricks and mortar, but rather investing in people".[1] As such it has no buildings of its own.

North American Lutheran Seminary
TypeSeminary
Established2013
AffiliationNorth American Lutheran Church
PresidentThe Rev. Dr. Eric M. Riesen
Location
Ambridge
,
Pennsylvania
,
United States
CampusSmall town
Websitethenals.org
The North American Lutheran Seminary Center is housed at Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, Pennsylvania

History

In 2012, the Joint Commission on Theology and Doctrine of the NALC recommended the formation of a Commission on Theological Education. This was approved by the NALC's Executive Council and was appointed with Dr. Roy Harisville III as chair.[2] The Commission on Theological Education recommended the creation of a seminary. The proposal was approved at the NALC convention held on August 8–9, 2013, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 2013, the Rev. Dr. Amy C. Schifrin STS was called as the seminary system's first president.[3] In 2019, the Rev. Dr. Eric M. Riesen was called as its second president.[4]

Organization

The seminary system operates similar to a wheel, with a hub and spokes. The hub is the seminary center located at Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, Pennsylvania. The spokes are various partner institutions in NALC mission districts. In 2013, the NALS began its first House of Studies in Charlotte, North Carolina, on the campus of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. This was discontinued effective May 31, 2016.[5] The seminary system has since formed several memoranda of understanding with various institutions, including: Concordia College New York in Bronxville, New York; Concordia University of Edmonton in Edmonton, Alberta; Concordia University St. Paul in St. Paul, Minnesota; and Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa.[6]

Academic information

The NALS offers degrees through its relationship with Trinity School for Ministry, which is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada[7] and is a charter member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.[8]

Degree programs
  • Master of Divinity (M.Div.) - available on campus or online (a 1-year residency is required)
  • Master of Arts in Religion (M.A.R.) - available on campus or online

Diploma and certificate programs
  • Diploma in Lutheran Studies - available on campus or online
  • Certificate in Lutheran Studies - available on campus or online

The seminary also offers individual courses to supplement the educational requirements needed for those in the candidacy process to become ordained pastors in the North American Lutheran Church.

References
  1. David Baer (Aug. 12, 2013), NALC Seminary Proposal Approved, North American Lutheran Church. Accessed on May 2, 2020.
  2. History, NALS Official Website. Accessed on May 2, 2020.
  3. David Baer (November 2013), Amy C. Schifrin called as Director of North American Lutheran Seminary, NALC News, North American Lutheran Church. Accessed on May 2, 2020.
  4. Andrew Fuller (November 19, 2019), North American Lutheran Church Calls New Seminary President, North American Lutheran Church. Accessed on May 2, 2020.
  5. Mark Ryman (Winter 2016), NALS Ends Relationship with Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, NALS Newsletter Archived 2016-10-31 at the Wayback Machine, North American Lutheran Seminary. Accessed on May 2, 2020.
  6. Partnerships & Arrangements, NALS Official Website. Accessed on May 2, 2020.
  7. A.T.S. Member Schools Archived 2009-04-22 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on July 15, 2009.
  8. TSM Profile on ECFA website. Retrieved on July 15, 2009.

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