2026 September — CTSFW Welcomes Largest Class Since 2009

CTSFW Welcomes Largest Class
Since 2009

FORT WAYNE, Ind., Sept. 9, 2026—The 181st academic year opened at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW), September 8 at the annual opening service, with the largest incoming class since 2009 occupying the front rows in Sihler Auditorium.

“It’s wonderful to see all these students,” said Dr. Paul Grime, dean of the chapel. “They might have been a bit disappointed not to be in Kramer Chapel for the opening service, but everyone was clearly excited to start the new academic year.” Kramer Chapel, the usual site for the opening service, is midway through a window restoration project and will reopen later this fall.

Dr. Jon S. Bruss, president of CTSFW, gave the sermon at the service, preaching on the appointed Gospel reading, John 20:19–23. The text includes Christ’s words to His disciples on the evening of his resurrection: “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” Bruss advised the future pastors in front of him to stay focused on these words throughout their seminary years.

“Already this morning you’ve started on your seminary studies. You’ll have Gospels I, Dogmatics I, Liturgics I, Homiletics I, Church History I. For those of you a year in or three years in already, you know how it is. The classes heap up, and you can barely remember what you had when, even if you know you had it.

“Along the way you can miss the forest for the trees. But keep your eyes downrange, and keep this Gospel lesson in focus,” said Bruss. “Everything you’re studying here has to do with this ‘special authority Christ has given to His church on earth to forgive the sins of repentant sinners and to retain the sins of the unrepentant as long as they do not repent’—the gift to the Church exercised by the called ministers of Christ—by you, four years, three years, one year down the road.”

Dr. Jon S. Bruss, president of CTSFW, preaches the sermon at the Opening Service of the 181st Academic Year.

After the sermon, Dr. D. Richard Stuckwisch, president of the LCMS Indiana District, installed two new members of the faculty and staff, both rostered church workers in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). Those installed include the Rev. Jeffrey Proctor, a new advancement officer, and the Rev. Roger Peters, assistant professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions.

Proctor, who was called in June, earned his Master of Divinity from CTSFW in 2015. He then served two congregations in the Pacific Southwest District: St. Paul Lutheran Church in Phoenix, Arizona, and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Hacienda Heights, California.

Peters has served at the Seminary since 2014, first as assistant to the director of Library and Information Services, then as assistant director. He has also served part-time as pastor of St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Ohio City, Ohio, since 2015. He earned a Master of Divinity (2013) and Master of Sacred Theology (2019) from CTSFW and a Master of Library and Information Science from Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis in 2023.

CTSFW President Jon S. Bruss (center) with the Rev. Jeffrey Proctor (left) and the Rev. Roger Peters (right). Proctor and Peters were installed in new positions at CTSFW September 8.

President Bruss offered a few concluding remarks after the service, calling attention again to the class sitting in front of him.

“Fifty-seven pastoral ministry students—you are the answer to the prayer of the Church that the Lord would send laborers into His harvest. And six deaconess students—you are the mask worn by God to bring works of love to church and world. We are delighted that all of you are here.”

In addition to the 63 residential formation students, CTSFW is welcoming 17 students in distance formation programs, including Deaconess Studies and the Specific Ministry Pastor program, along with new international students and students in advanced graduate programs.

Bruss also recognized the 50th anniversary of Concordia Theological Seminary’s return to Fort Wayne after 100 years in Springfield, Illinois. The seminary is now renovating its 70-year-old campus as part of its strategic plan to provide “an inspirational place to grow in Christ.”

To watch a recording of the opening service, click the thumbnail below or visit the CTSFW YouTube channel.