A Climate of Mutual Respect and Responsibility

Luther Seminary is committed and dedicated to providing an environment that is conducive to learning and living in all facets of its communal life. The seminary seeks to establish a healthy climate for the development of relationships among its students, staff, and faculty and is dedicated to the pursuit of truth in its academic life in a manner that exemplifies respect, integrity, and a valuing of each person in the community. The climate, which is desirable and maximal for learning, is one that is reflective of the following governing values:

1. It seeks to be collegial rather than competitive

   A basic understanding of the nature of a Christian community is that it recognizes the value and worth of all persons and their contributions to the enterprise of theological education. Modeling a spirit of openness, value, and acceptance rather than competition in communal life is imperative in educating people to become leaders of Christian communities. This climate creates an atmosphere of openness to all people. When, for example, differences in theological positions, denominational affiliations, or understandings of ministry occur, those differences should be expressed and addressed in a manner that respects each person’s integrity and value in the eyes of God.

2. It seeks to foster a spirit of freedom rather than fear

   Christ has set us free so that all members of the body of Christ may live out their lives with creative expression in the spirit of freedom from sin, death, and the law. The seminary community seeks to be free from intimidation, threat, coercion, or the abusive use of power in carrying on its discourse in the classroom as well as in the decorum of its life together. Freedom of expression in spoken and written word is not only a constitutional right, but the expected courtesy accorded to every member of the community. To the extent that the community is reflective of this freedom of expression without recrimination, it will exhibit an atmosphere of trust and safety rather than fear.

3. It seeks to promote a spirit of excellence and inquiry

   Excellence and inquiry are essential to the work of the seminary and within the practice of ministry. Excellence involves the necessity of asking the difficult questions, wrestling with controversial issues, and dedicating oneself to the disciplines of prayer, study, research, dialogue, and continuing growth. In the spirit of freedom and in dedication to the truth, some issues will be challenging for students, staff, and faculty alike. The community values the opportunity to engage in dialogue, debate, and inquiry at its very best without demeaning or devaluing another person in the process.

4. It seeks to engender equity and access

   The Christian community is reminded that in Christ the human divisions predicated on gender, race, or social status are put aside (Gal. 3:28). The community is to reflect the reality that the dividing walls of hostility have been broken down in the cross (Eph. 2:13-16). Living in the truth and promise of these assertions, every effort will be made by the members of the community to encourage and ensure that the spirit of equity and respect is practiced for and by every member of the community.

5. It seeks to reflect a spirit of forgiveness and love

   As a community, we are cognizant of the reality of sin as alienation, brokenness, and estrangement in relationship to God, others, nature, and ourselves. The reality of sin requires repentance and reconciliation so that restoration may occur. This community will attempt to distinguish itself as one that is ready to forgive at the command and in the spirit of Christ and that welcomes the restoration of the penitent.