St. Andrew's College and Lutheran Theological Seminary are entering the next stage of their search for a Transitional President, with two finalists now selected as the schools move toward appointing the leader who will help guide the establishment of a new theological school.
The finalists will soon meet with members of both schools and invited representatives from the wider church and theological education community. These conversations will give stakeholders an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates and provide feedback to the Search Committee.
The appointment of a Transitional President is an important step in the decision by the Boards of St. Andrew’s College (SAC) and Lutheran Theological Seminary (LTS) to establish a single institution while continuing their respective commitments to United Church and Lutheran theological education.
A broad search for leadership
The search began this summer with the development of a position description outlining the particular leadership skills and approach required for the transition. The position was publicly advertised in August, with applications accepted until September 20.
The search was promoted through theological, academic, professional and denominational networks in Canada and beyond, including the Association of Theological Schools, the American Academy of Religion and Society of Biblical Literature, University Affairs, HigherEdJobs and other national and regional channels.
The Search Committee sought a leader with experience in organizational change and complex institutional leadership, along with an understanding of theological education and an appreciation for the distinct traditions represented by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and The United Church of Canada.
The search attracted more than 15 applications from candidates in Canada and internationally, reflecting the reach of the recruitment effort beyond the schools' immediate networks. The committee reviewed the applications and narrowed the field through a process that included two rounds of interviews before selecting the final two candidates.
Finding the right leader for this transition requires more than identifying someone with experience in institutional administration. The successful candidate will need to understand the responsibilities that come with bringing two established theological schools into a single institution, while building relationships and maintaining confidence among the people and communities connected to each. These considerations have given the Search Committee a substantial task as it works toward a recommendation.
“I have seen the Search Committee members accept the tremendous responsibility of conducting this process on behalf of the communities of LTS and SAC with a deep sense of respect for the traditions within the STU and great hope for the future of multi-denominational theological education in Western Canada,” says Laureen Wray, a member of the Search Committee and Transition Team. “We have approached this process prayerfully, seeking God’s guidance in our questions, discussions, and discernment process. We are working to identify the candidate whom we believe is both deeply committed to and well equipped to strengthen our collective capacity to train Gospel-centered leaders for generations to come by guiding the establishment of the new school.”
Hearing from our communities
The next stage of the process will give invited stakeholders opportunities to engage directly with the finalists.
Each candidate will present their approach to the creation and establishment of the new school and will respond to questions. Students, faculty, staff, board members, alumni, donors, denominational representatives and other partners will be among those invited to participate. Following the presentations, participants will be able to provide feedback to the Search Committee through a survey.
The finalists will also meet in smaller settings with students, faculty, staff and Board members.
These conversations are intended to give the Search Committee a fuller picture of how each candidate would lead through a significant period of institutional change, while allowing members of the two schools’ communities to contribute their perspectives to the process.
Leadership for the transition
The Transitional President will serve in a time-limited role focused on establishing the new institution while maintaining continuity in the educational work, relationships and denominational commitments of both schools.
The role includes leadership in organizational integration, administration, accreditation, institutional culture and relationships with the churches and communities served by LTS and SAC.
Throughout the transition, the intention remains clear: the new institution will bring the resources of the two schools together while sustaining the distinctive theological formation and denominational relationships each has carried.
For Lutheran Theological Seminary, that includes a continuing commitment to Lutheran theological education and formation in Western Canada. For St. Andrew’s College, it includes its longstanding commitment to theological education and formation within The United Church of Canada.
What happens next
Following the stakeholder engagement process, the Search Committee will bring its recommendation to the Transition Team and the Boards of LTS and SAC for their consideration and decision.
The successful candidate is expected to begin in January 2027, with a planned appointment extending through July 2029.
LTS and SAC will continue to share updates as the search proceeds and the next stage of their shared future takes shape.