Partnering for the Mission
Story: Danielle Luebbe
Photos: Courtesy of Concordia Marketing
Through various partnerships, Concordia Nebraska extends its mission to serve the church in ever-evolving ways.
From its founding in 1894, Concordia University, Nebraska’s mission “to serve and lead” has been carried forward not by the institution alone, but by a network of faithful collaborators united in the work of the Gospel. Today, Concordia continues to build upon that legacy through intentional relationships with other Lutheran organizations, schools and ministries that share its vision for Christ-centered education and leadership development.
These partnerships, from graduate education collaborations with professional associations to hosting formative gatherings on campus, represent more than simple cooperation. They reflect a shared commitment to nurturing and equipping people for service to the church and world.
A Heritage of Collaboration
For more than a century, the Concordia University System (CUS) has served as a model of collaboration in Lutheran higher education. The universities within the CUS are bound not just by shared history and faith, but by a spirit of mutual support that strengthens their collective mission. Faculty serve as guest professors at other CUS institutions, programs such as Concordia Nebraska’s Master of Public Health, with a medication safety and pharmacovigilance concentration offered in partnership with Concordia University Wisconsin align to support more opportunities for students and each university benefits from a broader Lutheran educational network.
Recently, representatives of the CUS have begun conducting visits at each of the individual campuses as part of a visitation process connected to the Lutheran Identity and Mission Outcome Standards (LIMOS) initiative. LIMOS standards are a set of guidelines and expectations established by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) to ensure that CUS institutions retain a strong Lutheran identity and continue to fulfill their mission effectively.
This process is both evaluative and collaborative. It is a shared opportunity for reflection, dialogue and encouragement across all Concordias. The visits affirm what unites the CUS campuses while also helping each university strengthen its unique contributions to the church and world.
Responding Together in Crisis
When a severe storm swept through Seward in the early hours of August 9, 2025, Concordia University, Nebraska found itself both impacted and immediately mobilized. Despite extensive tree damage and power outages on campus, students, coaches and staff quickly moved into action supporting one another and serving the wider community. Football, soccer and volleyball teams fanned out across neighborhoods to clear debris, remove fallen limbs from homes and vehicles, and assist local businesses, including helping Chapters Books & Gifts relocate to a temporary space after their building was damaged.
The storm response showcased Concordia’s deep-rooted partnerships and its commitment to living out its mission in real time. “Moments like this are an opportunity to live out our mission of being a Christ-centered community equipping men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership,” said President Dr. Bernard Bull. In the days following the storm, the university also connected with LCMS Disaster Response and the veteran-led humanitarian organization Team Rubicon to coordinate long-term relief and recovery efforts.
Looking back, the storm became a powerful reminder of what these partnerships truly mean. In the months that followed, Concordia’s connections with churches, schools and community organizations became channels of real support, shared strength and Christ-centered care. The collaboration that emerged in the wake of the disaster continues to shape how we walk alongside one another in mission, equipping us to serve boldly and faithfully when the needs are greatest.
Professional Growth, Rooted in Faith
Concordia Nebraska has recently expanded its commitment to lifelong learning by developing strategic partnerships that make advanced education more accessible to those serving in Lutheran ministries. Through its preferred partnership program, the university offers tuition discounts on graduate and continuing education courses to members or employees of organizations such as the Lutheran Education Association (LEA), National Association of Directors of Christian Education (NADCE) and Concordia Plan Services (CPS).
The program provides savings on continuing education units, single course offerings, certificates and full graduate programs, making professional growth more attainable for those serving in Lutheran schools, congregations and related organizations.
“Concordia University, Nebraska and our Preferred Partners share a commitment to equipping Christians for lives of learning, service and leadership in the church and world,” said Jon Krause, Associate Vice President of Graduate Programs and Operations. “Current and future partnerships establish a deep, mission-minded and mutually beneficial relationship that directs resources toward students through tuition discounts rather than traditional advertising, strengthening the partner organization’s membership value and supporting the university’s enrollment growth.”
This effort embodies Concordia’s goal of supporting the church’s educational ministries by reducing barriers to quality, Christ-centered learning. It recognizes that professional development for mission-aligned organizations is not merely about credentials; it’s about deepening their capacity to serve students and communities with excellence and faith.
You can learn more about Concordia’s preferred partnership program at cune.edu/partners.
Strengthening Mission through Institutes
Concordia Nebraska’s dedication to serve and lead extends beyond campus through the growing network of institutes that connect academic study with real-world ministry. Each institute provides a focused avenue for collaboration with Lutheran organizations, congregations and professionals across the country.
Through institutes such as the Center for Liturgical Art, Institute for Ethical Leadership, Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Institute for Literacy, Institute for Religious Education, Institute for Rural and Small-Town Ministries and Trinity Academy, Concordia helps equip liturgical artists, church workers, educators and lay leaders to respond faithfully to the evolving needs of the church and world.
Resources, conferences, events and collaborative projects hosted through these institutes reflect Concordia’s long-standing tradition of pairing theological depth with practical engagement. Whether through faith formation, leadership training or ministry development, each institutes reinforces the university’s mission to prepare servants who bring Christ’s light into their communities.
If you would like to learn more about Concordia’s institutes, visit cune.edu/institutes.
Welcoming the Church
Concordia’s partnership mindset is also evident in its role as a host campus for major Lutheran gathering such as Higher Things, Consortium for Classical Lutheran Education and the LCMS Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music.
These conferences draw participants from across the country – youth, educators, musicians and church leaders – who gather in Seward, Nebraska, for worship, learning and fellowship. Each event reinforces Concordia’s identity as a place where the church comes together to be strengthened and sent out again for service.
“Hosting major events like these is deeply significant to Concordia University, Nebraska because these gatherings strengthen the university’s partnership with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and advance its mission to grow the church and share the gospel,” said Jennifer Furr, Senior Director of Outreach, Relations and Engagement. “By welcoming students, educators, pastors and families from across the LCMS, Concordia becomes a vibrant hub for theological formation, worship and Christian community. These events not only showcase Concordia’s commitment to academic excellence and faithful Lutheran identity but also invite participants to experience the university’s Christ-centered culture firsthand. In doing so, they extend Concordia’s influence, support the development of future church workers and lay leaders, and help the university live out its vision of equipping all people to learn, serve and lead in Christ’s name.”
By welcoming students, educators, pastors and families from across the LCMS, Concordia becomes a vibrant hub for theological formation, worship and Christian community.
Beyond logistics, hosting such events represents a kind of ministry partnership in itself, one that transforms campus spaces into gathering places for the Body of Christ. The presence of these groups on campus energizes both the university community and its guests, creating opportunities for connection and inspiration that ripple outward long after the conferences end.
A Shared Mission for the Future
Partnerships like these ensure that Concordia’s mission continues to grow in new and relevant ways while staying deeply rooted in Lutheran theology and heritage. Each collaboration, whether through formal agreements or shared ministry efforts, strengthens the university’s ability to equip faithful leaders.
Through preferred partnerships and institutes, Concordia is helping Christian people and organizations access the education and resources they need to thrive. Through hosting and collaboration, it provides space for the church to learn, celebrate and discern together.
Concordia University, Nebraska’s mission was never meant to be lived out alone. It flourishes in relationship – among fellow Christian organizations, ministries, congregations and the countless people called to serve and lead.
As Concordia continues to look ahead, its partnerships will remain an essential expression of that mission, living proof that when we work together for the sake of the Gospel, the reach of our shared commission only grows stronger.