Concordia Publishing House Partners with Concordia Universities 

Concordia Publishing House President Dr. Bruce Kintz talks to professors from the Concordia University system at CPH in July. Photo courtesy of CPH.

by Abigail Wisniewski

Concordia Publishing House has partnered with the Concordia University system by hosting a gathering of Concordia University professors at its offices in St. Louis since 2013.

Each summer, two representatives from each of the 10 Concordia universities attend the event.

The partnership between CPH and the Concordia Universities serves to make sure the needs of church work educators are being met. CPH provides materials for members of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod church that focus on biblical teaching.

“I hope our church workers and church members as a whole see meaningful resources that are directly helpful to them,” Lisa Clark, a 2004 Concordia, University, Nebraska alumni and a representative from CPH said in an email interview. “As we continue to find ways to better serve our Church, we want to listen to the real needs and concerns of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.”

This year, Concordia University, Nebraska was represented by Rev. Dr. Charles Blanco and Director of Middle Level Education Beth Pester, who attended the event in July. While in St. Louis, the representatives were able to gain a greater understanding of the materials available to them, as well as provide feedback and ideas for current and future products.

“(The gathering) helps us know their product line,” Blanco said. “Particularly for church work students that’s going to be beneficial because they’ll be using curriculum pieces in confirmation and day school.  Our professors can talk more knowledgeably about it, then speak to students more directly about it.”

Pester was able to give her expertise on middle level education and suggest ideas for literature that would help parents understand that age group.

“Just last week I got an email from one of (CPH’s) editors that said, ‘Hey, this is one of the ideas that you shared. Can you help me understand more about this idea and give me some recommendations of people that would be good to participate in writing and publishing something like that?’” Pester said. “I love that because they followed through. They’re still reaching out.”

“I hope that this ongoing partnership only builds our connections with one another as we work together as a synod, as the Church, to tell the world about its Savior,” Clark said in an email interview. “I think the professors grow a greater appreciation of the term ‘colleague’ across the entire Concordia system, and I personally am thankful for the opportunity to meet these talented and Christ-minded individuals.”