Several weeks ago, there was a knock at my office door. There stood a member of this spring's graduating class, a fine student and candidate for ordained ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

After some conversation, I asked about the student's synod assignment. With great anticipation and enthusiasm, the student told me where she was assigned and that the synod staff had already recommended a rural parish at which she might interview. We rejoiced together at the exciting new journey ahead of her.

All our graduates who are candidates for rostered ministry in the ELCA look forward to their first calls and appointments. Yet, some approach them with anxiety, knowing that salaries for new pastors and other rostered leaders are generally modest. While the church used to be responsible for funding students preparing for ministry (in some of our predecessor churches, there was no tuition for seminary), students now must pay their own tuition, approximately $6,400 this year, plus books and living expenses.

Given this situation, many excellent candidates for ministry partially fund their undergraduate and theological education through loans. Last year, the average seminarian graduated from our seminary with nearly $8,000 in loans.

While this is a reasonable debt load for a new pastor, six of our graduates last spring entered into their first calls with debts ranging from $20,000 to $64,000. This is a significant issue for the church, because it limited these students' ability to accept calls and may have implications for how long they serve in their first calls.

Yearly, many congregations provide scholarship support. In addition to these annually spendable scholarships, congregations, alumni/ae, and lay people have created over 175 endowed scholarships that assist deserving and worthy seminarians each and every year. Last year alone, the seminary received over $1 million in gifts and grants for scholarships.

In this issue of the Epistle, we introduce you to Rhonda Pruitt, the first pre-seminarian to participate in the Bridges Scholarship and Mentoring Program, a partnership between Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis., and the seminary designed to help people of color prepare for ministry. You'll also read about Munderloh Foundation and how it has been supporting theological education since it was established in 1959.

Financial aid is a priority at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and among ELCA seminaries, we offer the most financial aid per student. Every student benefits from the generosity of past and present donors--individuals, congregations, and foundations that invest in the future of our church and in those seminarians who will proclaim the risen Christ to our children and grandchildren. As always, thank you for your partnership in this ministry.

Blessings and best wishes,

James Kenneth Echols

President