Welcome to the Office of Church Relations
Concordia University Chicago is a Christ-centered Lutheran university where truth, freedom, and vocation form students for lives of influence and service for the common good.
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Our goal is to engage with congregations, schools, institutions, and church professionals to join us in this mission. We are one body united in Christ to advance His kingdom and proclaim His Gospel.
Learn more about the ways you can partner with us to share resources and encourage one another in this shared mission.
Host a Concordia Sunday
What is a Concordia Sunday? Congregations of the LCMS have the opportunity to support, learn, and pray about the work of the Church through our institutions of higher education in the Concordia University System. While Concordia Sunday is often held on a specific date each year, your congregation can host a Concordia Sunday any Sunday you want to choose.
Hosting a Concordia Sunday is simple and can include any of the following:
- Pray for Concordia during your Sunday morning worship services.
- Download this bulletin insert for use in your worship material.
- Have your pastor, parish professional, or member of your congregation talk about Concordia, Lutheran Higher Education, church work vocational training, or similar topics during bible study. The LCMS has even provided talking points for pastors to share in their congregations. Download talking points.
- Local congregations can contact our Associate Vice President for Church Relations and Mission to invite a member of our staff to join you when your church hosts a Concordia Sunday.
- Consider collecting a special offering to support LCMS student scholarships at CUC such as the Rosa Young Scholarship or LCMS Church Worker Grant.
Host a CYM Team
Concordia Youth Ministry (CYM) has a long tradition at Concordia University Chicago of partnering with congregations to plan and lead youth lock-ins and events in your church. Visit the CYM page to learn more about how your church might host a team for the youth in your congregation.
Professional Church Workers are the front lines of ministry and raising up future workers for the harvest. Concordia University Chicago relies on you and aims to provide you with resources for ministry and encouraging young people to service in vocations in the church and world.
Concordia Supplemental Church Professional Award
To Learn More about the Award Download the PDF
Concordia University Chicago is committed to making continuing education accessible and affordable for ministry partners and professionals working within the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Men and women serving in full-time ministry positions within the LCMS who are enrolled in or wish to begin a CUC master’s or doctoral program may receive a discount on full-price admission of up to 50 percent.
Learn more about the LCMS “Set Apart to Serve: LCMS Church Work Recruitment” Initiative
Schedule a visit to our campus with your school or youth in your congregation. Contact our Office of Undergraduate Admissions to schedule your visit.
Maximum $5,000 Annual Tuition Guaranteed for Church Professional Students
Concordia University Chicago is committed to helping students prepare to serve in church professional vocations by providing an affordable education.
Church Relations Partnerships
The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) and Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) share a rich history that dates back to the establishment of Lutheran congregations in Canada during the nineteenth century. Since becoming an independent church body in 1988, LCC has remained in fellowship with the LCMS, reflecting a longstanding commitment to shared confessional beliefs and ministry.
Today, Concordia University Chicago and LCC continue to strengthen these historic and ecclesiastical ties through a formal partnership. United by a shared commitment to Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, we provide opportunities for students to learn, grow, and prepare for lives of faithful service to Christ and His Church.
Partnership Benefits
Students and church workers affiliated with LCC benefit from this partnership in several ways:
- Concordia University Chicago and LCC share a confessional commitment to the authority of Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, ensuring that students receive a high-quality education grounded in Truth.
- LCC-affiliated students are eligible to be treated as domestic students for tuition and institutional aid purposes. This includes access to on-campus housing, meal plans, bookstore and administrative services, as well as eligibility for applicable internal grants and awards.
- Church professionals employed by LCC congregations, schools, and other affiliated ministries are eligible for the Lutheran Church–Canada Church Professional Graduate Discount, which provides a 25% reduction in graduate and doctoral tuition for students who are not receiving Canadian financial aid.
- LCC-affiliated undergraduate students are eligible for the Lutheran Church–Canada Undergraduate Award, which helps offset differences in currency exchange rates between the Canadian and U.S. dollar.
- Please contact Rev. Dr. Chad Kendall at Chad.Kendall@cuchicago.edu for more information.
