Lutheran College Integrity

The Concordia College-Moorhead, Minnesota Mission Statement reads: "To influence the affairs of the world by sending into society thoughtful and informed men and women dedicated to the Christian life." It is purposeful, faithful and focused. I like it. Linda and I are Concordia graduates.

Mission statements are cherished as well as challenged. Mission statements contain the core of a college's integrity and are rightly cherished.  Events of life challenge the integrity of mission statements. Life events put flesh on the words. Administration, staff, students and graduates are challenged to engage how the mission statement guides and empowers each to respond to lifes realities, which in themselves challenge the integrity of the mission statement.

The issues of climate change and fossil fuels challenge the Concordia family to faithfully live out the Concordia Mission Statement. A friend and classmate, Rollie James and I are concerned that Concordia stay strong and faithful in addressing climate change and fossil fuel issues. We have composed a letter to Concordia leadership expressing our affection and urging them to fulfill its calling as a college of the ELCA academic ministry of Christ. 

Rollie and I are inviting all who have attended Concordia to prayerfully consider signing the letter. If you want to have your name included, send me an email at: ronletnes@hotmail.com.  The deadline is August 1. If you are a graduate feel welcome to include your graduation date. Thank you.

THE LETTER

Dr. William J. Craft, President

Dr. Michelle Lelwica, Chair-Department of Religion

Dr. Michelle D. Marko, Co-Director-Environmental Studies

Dr. Hilda P. Kester, Co-Director-Environmental Studies

Pastor Tim Megorden, Campus Ministry

John R. Tunheim, Chair-Board of Regents

Concordia College

Moorhead, Minnesota 56562

Dear Concordia Leadership:

Grace, mercy, and peace in the strong name of Jesus!

We are those who have attended Concordia. We write out of gratitude for the significant contribution Concordia has made in the shaping of our sense of mission, providing life purpose and stirring faith-filled affection for God's world. We value Concordia's profound mission: "To influence the affairs of the world by sending into society thoughtful and informed men and women dedicated to the Christian life." So simple yet so encompassing.

We also write out of concern for God's gift of creation, a concern buttressed by the ELCA Social Statement "Caring for Creation" which exclaims: "We see the despoiling of the environment as nothing less than the degradation of God's gracious gift of creation." Pope Francis has expressed similar concern in his latest encyclical, "Praise Be To You: Laudato Si": "This sister [creation] now cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods that God has endowed her." Pope Francis has also emphasized the need for political action and policy changes. Dr. James Hanson, sometimes called the world's premier climatologist, has thanked the pope for recognizing the need for an international and transparent carbon fee. The consistent alarms surrounding climate change and fossil fuels signal the necessity of critical commitment to analysis and action at the highest level.

Institutions of higher education similar to Concordia are well positioned and indeed called by Christ and the Church to preach, teach, give witness and empower a reflective and active creation stewardship.

Towards this end, we view with alarm the pressure brought upon some centers of higher education to compromise their highest disciplines in order to satisfy expectations of some wealthy climate change deniers, fossil-fuel corporate donors, those who would denigrate peer-reviewed science and be critical of change prophets. Institutions may be tempted to sell the integrity of their mission for profit and pottage.  These trade-offs can be costly to creation stewardship, academic honesty and Christian witness.

Therefore, we urge Concordia to maintain and advance its commitment to solid science, environmental stewardship, progressive theological environmental justice and academic freedom. The earth groans in expectation of active environmental justice.

Our affection for Concordia is strong! We believe in Concordia's Mission. We are grateful for your leadership and we trust it to continue its faith-filled vision.

We would appreciate responses to this letter and information on climate actions taken by Concordia.  You may address responses too: Rev. Dr. Ron Letnes, 2917 124th Cr. NE, Blaine, Minnesota 55449.

Thank you for your attention.

Soli Deo Gloria!