“Let’s Walk Together” conveys our heart to mentor and train men.
The American Lutheran Theological Seminary (ALTS) was formed by The AALC to meet the needs of our growing church body through the teaching and forming of pastors. Over the past three decades our processes, technologies, and patterns have changed considerably, but our heart to serve has remained the same.
Our seminary respects and honors the past while embracing the future of pastoral formation. ALTS offers two paths toward ordination in The AALC: residential studies and online studies. Both approaches effectively prepare men to serve in our church body and each has benefits.
1. Residential studies
These take place at either Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW) or Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (CSL). The on-campus approach to seminary education reflects an historically valued approach to pastoral formation. The community of professors and students in a daily face-to-face interaction provides a well formed spiritual, emotional, and mentally engaging environment.
2. Online studies
We use the latest technology to engage in distance learning via the computer. The use of live video discussions (soon to be world-wide) offers a relatively new environment for pastoral formation, which brings new opportunities as well as challenges. Our video conferencing app allows live interaction during all teaching sessions. Thus, discussion becomes vital in our online community as we walk together. Men who follow this path are expected to be at least 30 years of age.
Residential students receive a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree from the host seminary (CTSFW or CSL). Online students receive a Master of Theological Studies (MTS) degree from ALTS as they prepare for pastoral service. Online students who want to serve a church as a deacon/deaconess receive a Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) degree.