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Are you seeking to be a church leader
In the City for Good?

Here's how you can be part of the Metropolitan/Urban Concentration at The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia

The demand for effective church leaders in urban settings is increasing rapidly. What does it take to be a part of a ministry in the city? The Seminary has a mission through its Metropolitan/Urban Concentration to help students achieve urban ministry goals. The Concentration offers diverse opportunities for learners to achieve fulfillment by studying how to be In the City for Good.

Benefits for Students:
Components of the Concentration

• Contextual Education
  Be a part of urban ministry during two years of field education. Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) or its community equivalent and internship sites will give you a chance to practice contextual ministry and outreach.
• Course work
  Students working in the metropolitan/urban concentration program take 4.5 courses with an urban focus from the electives offered in the M.Div. curriculum. Core Courses include The Church in the City, Understanding the City, and Models of Urban Ministry. Two other courses, supplementing personal interest, should be selected in consultation with the urban advisor. Seniors study Issues in Urban Ministry, which allows for further researchon an internship experience.
• Mentoring
  Students will choose a mentor who represents a model of effective leadership in urban ministry and who will serve as a source of wisdom, feedback and advice.
• Ten day training
  Learn about the exciting growth of faith-based community organizing which has become a central commitment in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and other denominations. The Metropolitan/Urban Concentration coordinates ten-day training sessions through the major organizing networks during the January term in Milwaukee.
• Extra curricular opportunities
  Students will have the opportunity to participate in extra curriculur opportunities.
  
  • Immersion Trips--
    One or two weekend trips are offered each year. Students and faculty stay in an urban context and visit a variety of ministry settings.
  • Table Talks--
    Discussions held over lunch, often with local church leaders. An excellent question and answer time!
    Conferences--
    Students have the opportunity to attend meetings and conferences on urban ministry from many organization sincluding the Inner-city Ministers' Guild and the Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastroal Education, a conference in Chicago. Some funding is made available.

   

The Rev. Katie Day, Director for the Concentration, is the Seminary's Professor of Church and Society. Dr. Day is a Presbyterian pastor and urban sociologist with an extensive backgroundin serving and researching city churches.

Significant guidance for the Concentration comes from an Advisory Board comprised of urban church leaders and synodical representtives.

A primary staff person/coordinator is responsible for the day-to-day elements of the concentration.

Through a generous grant from the In the City for Good Fund of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America the Seminary is in partnership with the Urban Program at The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.

For additional information, contact the Admissions Department at admissions@ltsp.edu

Photos, from top:
Dr. Katie Day, center, with Metropolitan/Urban Concentration graduates John Mack and the Rev. Margaret Spring.
Pastor Dave Lutcher volunteering at an inner-city church.
The Rev. Dr. Philip D. W. Krey served as mentoring pastor at Emanuel Lutheran Church, Phildelphia.
In many urban neighborhoods, the church steeple is a potent symbol of new hope.