Centrum
Centrum
The Centrum, constructed in 1975, was intentionally designed as a multi use space for the purpose of encouraging interaction between the sacred and the secular.[9] It is in the Centrum that women took significantly more central roles in ministerial leadership. Women participated in Temple Band, first formed in 1975.[10] In 1983, Pastor Lynn Ronsberg became the first female campus pastor to serve at Concordia. Previously the hall director of Bishop Whipple and Fjelstad, Ronsberg briefly filled the position as an interim pastor from August 1983-February 1984.[11] Concordia did not call their next female campus pastor until 1995, when Pastor Gretchen Person (1995-2006) began her ministry at Concordia.[12] Pastor Tessa Moon-Leiseth (2008-2012)[13] and Pastor Elizabeth (Elly) McHan (2012-present) followed her.
Pastor Gretchen, Pastor Tessa, and Pastor Elly each brought their own gifts to their roles as campus pastors. Pastor Gretchen was the creator of Good Conversations, a group created to provoke thought about topics related to faith and learning.[14] Pastor Tessa had a passion for working with young adults, which she has continued to pursue in her current call as the Young Adults in Global Mission’s South Africa Country Coordinator.[15] Pastor Elly came to Concordia after serving a call in Jerusalem, and she loves to share her gift of music and global experience with the campus community.
Chapel is currently held in the Centrum, and women have active leadership roles. Female faculty and students regularly present homilies, share prayers, read lessons, and offer musical leadership for Chapel and Communion services. Concordia became associated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America upon its formation in 1988. Since its founding, the ELCA has supported female clergy and female leadership in ministry. Because the religious life of the college is a reflection of the life of the larger Church, affiliation with the ELCA was crucial in the development of greater leadership roles for women in ministry.
There are many different student organizations that allow students to participate equally through numerous ministry outlets. CMC (Campus Ministry Commission) is the officially recognized ministry on campus. CMC organizations include Sunday Night at Concordia, Outreach, Tabernacle, Bible Studies, Justice Journeys, Social Justice, and Habitat for Humanity. Currently all three commissioners are women and women hold many other leadership roles in the organization. Similarly, women often speak, read scripture, and lead music in chapel services. Additionally, there are other ministries at Concordia that aren’t officially recognized by the campus that also allow women to be active leaders.