New Students, Fall 2004

One Foot in the Academy, One Foot in the Church:
Kurt Lammi

For Kurt Lammi, a member of First Lutheran Church, Troy OH, education and the church have always gone together. "I felt something click the day of my confirmation," he says. "I realized that I could learn about God outside of the church." This led him to attend Capital University in Columbus, Ohio as a religion major. While at Capital, he was involved in campus ministry and Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Ohio as a camp counselor. He continued with a master's degree in religion from Syracuse University. "During my time at Syracuse, I realized I needed something more fostering of one's own faith. Syracuse has a great religion department, but it wasn't exactly what I was looking for." After some time of discernment, Kurt came to terms with the notion God was prompting him to become a pastor. He hopes that through his seminary studies, "I can help increase the educational and academic side of church involvement to help feed people who are intellectually as well as spiritually hungry. Since I see the role of the pastor as both teacher and counselor, I trust my time at LTSP will help me to develop in those areas and strengthen the gifts God has given me. LTSP seems like it too has one foot in the Church and one foot in the Academy. It's no wonder then why my time here is so enjoyable!"