Our Promises of a Lutheran Education

The Lutheran faith and theology, initiated by Martin Luther’s study of the Holy Scriptures and his discovery of the clear message of God’s forgiving grace in Jesus Christ alone is the cornerstone of Concordia’s mission. Luther, a German professor of theology, priest and former monk who helped drive the Protestant Reformation 500 years ago, suggested that higher education is the richest and most complete when it builds upon a foundation of faith in Jesus Christ.

Today, Concordia continues to emphasize the Christ-centered message of the Gospel in the higher education it delivers to its students. Our four foundational promises seek to ensure that Concordia will always deliver a Lutheran, Christian higher education and that our students will be equipped not only with a set of skills and a degree, but also a sense of Christian vocation and purpose for the future.

Community, one of Concordia Nebraska's Promises of a Lutheran Education

Our Promise: Community

Guidance from faith-filled mentors

Concordia promises students a Christian community—a supportive environment where staff, faculty and peers in leadership understand the meaning of God’s grace and unconditional love while they also provide thoughtful guidance and mentoring. Here students will have friends, professors and mentors in their life whose faith is important in their own lives and community. Many will become lifelong friends and colleagues in their professional network.

Grace freely given and received

Our Promise: Inquiry

Varied perspectives of the world, its inhabitants and cultures

The universe and all that it contains is a magnificent wonder. Concordia promises to immerse students in an environment of rich academic exploration and inquiry, where they deeply consider, debate and critically examine the world and its inhabitants, past and present. This happens while concurrently affirming the truths found in the Bible and determining if and how those truths intersect with other knowledge and ideas.

Biblical perspectives to bring meaning and understanding

Inquiry, one of Concordia Nebraska's Promises of a Lutheran Education
Purpose, one of Concordia Nebraska's Promises of a Lutheran Education

Our Promise: Purpose

Gratefully utilize talents in service to others

As students grow in both knowledge and faith, they also begin to gain a greater sense of a higher purpose that is deeply rooted in the concept of vocation, or calling. Concordia promises to develop students' skills and abilities and to help them become experts in service to others in their families, communities, churches and the world in order to give a richer meaning to their education and their future. A calling to serve—not out of duty or guilt but rather in gratitude—is a treasure in life.

Fully develop God-given gifts and talents

Our Promise: Wisdom

Apply skills & knowledge in harmony with character and faith

As students continue in their formation and vocation, they develop the capacity to understand and hold matters of the Christian life and the world in tension—a tension that may be creative, conflicting or simply co-existing. Concordia promises to help students foster Christian wisdom to select and productively apply these tensions as opportunities to serve their neighbor in both conventional and unconventional ways in the settings of home, work, church and society.

Navigate the intersection of faith and culture

Wisdom, one of Concordia Nebraska's Promises of a Lutheran Education

Learn more about the Promises

The Concordia Promises Symposium, part of Dr. Bernard Bull’s presidential inauguration celebration Oct. 19-20, featured presentations by faculty and panel discussions that highlighted Concordia’s four Promises of a Lutheran Education. 

Community and Purpose

Inquiry and Wisdom

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Our Promises Devotional Book

Concordia continues to emphasize the Christ-centered message of the Gospel in the higher education we deliver to our students. The four foundational promises seek to ensure that Concordia will always deliver a Lutheran, Christian higher education and that our students will be equipped not only with a set of skills and a degree, but also a sense of Christian vocation and purpose for the future.

Download Our Promises Devotional Book

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Lutheran Guarantee

We’re committed to ensuring our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ have the opportunity to receive a Lutheran, Christ-centered education. Through our Lutheran Guarantee, undergraduate students can earn at least $25,000/year in institutional aid, and graduate students will qualify for a special $340/per credit hour rate.

See if you qualify for the Lutheran Guarantee

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Fulfill God's Call to Serve the Church

At Concordia, we equip students to serve as the hands and feet of Christ and be His witnesses through our church work programs. Whether you want to be a Lutheran educator or Director of Christian Education or a pastor, deaconess or parish musician, you’ll be prepared to share the love of Jesus around the world.

Serving Christ's Church

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Concordia Promises Panels

A collection of artwork developed by four Concordia students which embody each of the university’s Promises of a Lutheran Education.

Hear from the artists