North American Lutheran Seminary

North American Lutheran Seminary
TypeSeminary network
Established2014
AffiliationNorth American Lutheran Church
PresidentThe Rev. Dr. Jukka Kääriäinen
Location
Ambridge
,
Pennsylvania
,
United States
CampusSmall town
Websitethenals.org
The North American Lutheran Seminary's seminary center is located at Trinity Anglican Seminary (formerly Trinity School for Ministry) in Ambridge, Pennsylvania.[1]

The North American Lutheran Seminary (NALS) is the seminary network of the North American Lutheran Church (NALC). It was authorized by the NALC in 2013 following the work of a theological education task force, and was officially formed in 2014 with an elected Board of Regents to provide oversight.[2][3] The NALS describes its model as a network centered at a seminary center in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, with partner seminaries serving as regional campuses.[1]

History

When the NALC was organized (2010), candidates for ministry were encouraged to attend seminaries of their choice; by 2012 the NALC established a task force on theological education to consider a dedicated seminary structure for NALC pastoral formation.[3] In August 2013, the NALC approved a proposal to establish the North American Lutheran Seminary as a network model (rather than a new freestanding campus) with a seminary center and additional “houses of studies.”[2][3] The seminary center was placed at Trinity Anglican Seminary in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh.[3][1]

The Rev. Dr. Amy C. Schifrin STS was appointed as the first president; she served until her retirement in 2020.[3] The Rev. Dr. Eric M. Riesen was appointed president in January 2020.[3] In June 2025, the Rev. Dr. Jukka Kääriäinen began serving as president of NALS.[4][5]

Organization

The NALS operates as a “hub-and-spokes” network. The seminary center (the “hub”) is located at Trinity Anglican Seminary in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, with partner seminaries serving as regional campuses (“spokes”).[1][6] As of 2026, the NALS publicly identifies five network schools:

The NALS is governed by a Board of Regents and is responsible to the NALC’s Executive Council and bishop, with oversight described in NALS standards documents for theological education and pastoral formation.[7]

Academic programs and formation

NALS students pursue degree programs through the network’s partner seminaries, while completing NALS-specific requirements (including required courses and shared formation experiences) coordinated through the seminary center.[1][7] The NALS standards documents describe required residential “June Intensive” sessions for NALC candidates for ordination (two one-week sessions), intended to support common formation across the network.[7][8] The network’s partner schools include institutions accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS).

Seminary center and residential life

In the mid-2020s, the NALS developed the “Bonhoeffer House,” described by NALS as a residential community and formation space associated with the seminary center in Ambridge.[9][6]

Publications and media

The NALC describes Word & Sacrament as the official magazine of the North American Lutheran Seminary, published twice each year.[6] The NALC also describes Cardigan & Collar as the official NALS podcast.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "The NALS Network". North American Lutheran Seminary. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  2. ^ a b Baer, David J. (August 12, 2013). "NALC Seminary Proposal Approved". North American Lutheran Church. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "History". North American Lutheran Seminary. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  4. ^ "NALS Welcomes President Kääriäinen". North American Lutheran Seminary. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  5. ^ "Leadership & Staff". North American Lutheran Seminary. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  6. ^ a b c d "North American Lutheran Seminary Network". North American Lutheran Church. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  7. ^ a b c "Overview of Standards for Theological Education and Pastoral Formation" (PDF). North American Lutheran Seminary. 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  8. ^ "June Intensive". North American Lutheran Seminary. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
  9. ^ "Handcrafted Pew Benches Bring New Life to the Chapel of the Incarnation". North American Lutheran Seminary. Retrieved February 13, 2026.

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