After years of university closures, financial challenges, controversy, and significant change, what does the future hold for Lutheran higher education?
In this episode, Zach sits down with Concordia University System President Rev. Dr. Jamison Hardy for a wide-ranging conversation about where the Concordias have been and where they’re headed.
Jamison shares why he’s optimistic about the future, including a projection of nearly 800 church-work students across the five Concordia universities in fall 2026—compared with 762 across ten universities in 2019. He also explains why he believes many of the challenges facing Lutheran universities are part of the larger disruption happening throughout American higher education rather than being uniquely LCMS problems.
The conversation also tackles some of the most difficult chapters in recent CUS history. Jamison shares lessons learned from Concordia Portland, Concordia Texas, and Concordia Ann Arbor, including his desire to see Concordia Texas return to the system and ongoing efforts to restore some form of church-work preparation at Ann Arbor.
Zach and Jamison also discuss Luther Classical College, possible three-year bachelor’s degrees, vocational education, new revenue models, pastoral formation, and Jamison’s surprising answer to what he would do with a blank check: start another Concordia university.
Finally, they turn toward the next generation and why the LCMS needs to do more than simply attract young adults. Churches need to trust them, give them meaningful responsibility, and provide the kind of Lutheran community they’re looking for.
It’s an honest conversation about the challenges facing Lutheran higher education—but also why there may be more reason for optimism than many people realize.
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The state of Lutheran higher education
Jamison explains why he believes the five remaining Concordias are currently in a strong position while acknowledging how quickly the financial picture in higher education can change.
Lessons from Portland, Texas, and Ann Arbor
Rather than simply revisiting controversy, Zach asks Jamison what CUS can learn from each situation and carry into the future.
“I want CTX back.”
Jamison makes his position on Concordia Texas clear: he believes Texas is important for the future of church-work preparation and wants the university back in the system.
What really happened at Ann Arbor?
Jamison addresses criticism surrounding communication, NDAs, finances, and the decisions made at Concordia Ann Arbor while discussing the possibility of church-work programs returning.
Could Lutheran higher education look radically different?
The conversation explores 90-credit bachelor’s degrees, vocational training, alternative revenue models, entrepreneurship, and other ways Concordias may need to adapt.
What about Luther Classical College?
Jamison explains CUS’s conversations with LCC, the current pathway for joining the system, articulation agreements, and why he doesn’t fear competition.
Would Jamison start another Concordia?
Asked what he’d do with a blank check, Jamison says he would start a new university strategically located in the eastern United States.
The LCMS and young adults
Jamison shares his own experience of being dismissed as a young leader and argues that churches need to entrust younger Christians with meaningful responsibility much earlier.
The final challenge
Using Jesus’ Parable of the Talents, Jamison challenges Christians to stop burying what God has entrusted to them and put their gifts to work for the Kingdom.
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