For many people across our synod, and specifically in the Michigan District, the March 1, 2024, announcement by the leadership of Concordia Wisconsin brought a sense of relief. Concordia University Ann Arbor will remain open for the 2024-25 school year and beyond. There is still a long list of challenges that the university must face to ensure its long-term stability, but by the grace of God it has survived.

Over the past few weeks, God has moved many people who love and care for CUAA to stand, to speak, and to support a ministry that means a lot to them. It is an incredible turnaround over what had been shown prior to the initial announcement. Yes, there have always been people who demonstrated support for the university. But in retrospect, perhaps we were guilty of taking it for granted. Many viewed CUAA as an option in a list of institutions of higher education and nothing more. Over the past few weeks that changed, and once again CUAA became a valued ministry of our district, our synod, and our world.

How did this happen? The easy answer would be when we were faced with the possibility of losing it. But perhaps the most honest answer would be that we allowed ourselves to be lulled into a place where we felt it was fine and would just always be there because somebody was taking care of it. Somebody had everything in order. Somebody was doing the work. Somebody was supporting its needs.

Of course, the problem is when everybody leaves it to somebody, it often gets done by nobody.

It has been wonderful to see so many people from every corner of our synod moved to act in support of CUAA’s ministry. Millions of dollars have been raised, but so have millions of prayers. People took to social media to share stories of how CUAA impacted their lives, but they also have shown how CUAA is impacting the lives of a new generation of Christ’s church around the world. This outpouring of love has positioned this ministry to continue its work. But if the goal is to provide a solid future for CUAA and the other CUS schools, for Lutheran K-12 schools and preschools, for the Recognized Service Organizations of our synod, for our congregations and for our entire LCMS, we must maintain this renewed energy and focus on all the ministries of our church. Offer them your time, your tithes, and your talents. Share their mission with others who could benefit from our ministries. Also, share with people the missions of our church’s ministries, providing opportunities for others to support God’s work being done by every part of our church body.

Our work is far from over. May we always seek God’s will as we actively do His work to the glory of His holy name.

Photo Credit: Randy Duncan