CLS Interim President and CLTS prof installed as school year opens

CANADA – Early September saw the opening services for the new school year at Lutheran Church–Canada’s (LCC) two seminaries. The joint theme for the seminaries this year is Exodus 4:12—“Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.”

Rev. Dr. Joel D. Heck (third from left in front) following his installation as Interim President of CLS.

Concordia Lutheran Seminary (CLS) in Edmonton held its opening service on September 5 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. The service also saw the installation of Rev. Dr. Joel D. Heck as Interim President of the seminary by LCC West Regional Pastor Robert Mohns.

“I have not been so moved since the day my father preached a sermon on the day of my ordination and installation,” noted Dr. Heck following his installation. “My mind goes back to my parents as well as to all those who formed and equipped me for the service I now engage myself in.”

“It is our mission at Concordia Lutheran Seminary to ‘form servants for Jesus’ sake,’” he continued. “That is the function and purpose for all we do at this seminary, to the praise of God.”

“It is our mission at Concordia Lutheran Seminary to ‘form servants for Jesus’ sake,’” he continued. “That is the function and purpose for all we do at this seminary, to the praise of God.”

In advance of the opening service, the faculty and staff of CLS met August 31 through September 1 for a retreat. The school currently has six full-time students taking pastoral and diaconal studies, in addition to several part-time students. One student in the pastoral program is entering his final year of studies, while the first-year class is welcoming two full-time students and one part-time student in pastoral studies.

Rev. Dr. Kirk Radford (third from left in front) following his installation as Assistant Professor of Theology at CLTS.

Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (CLTS) in St. Catharines, Ontario held its opening service in the seminary chapel on September 10, during which time Rev. Kirk Radford was installed as Assistant Professor of Theology by LCC East Regional Pastor Marvin Bublitz.

Rev. Radford will take up his teaching responsibilities in September 2024, as he is completing a Master of Sacred Theology degree this academic year.

CLTS held its retreat for students and faculty from September 5-6. This year, the seminary has seven students taking pastoral studies and eight pursuing a Master of Theological Studies degree, as well as three pre-seminary students. Another two pastoral students are expected to begin classes in January. One student at the seminary is beginning his final year of pastoral studies. The first-year class meanwhile is welcoming two new students to the pastoral program.

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