Waterloo Lutheran Seminary

Waterloo Lutheran Seminary affiliated with Wilfrid Laurier University
Type Lutheran Seminary affiliated with Public university
Established 1911
Academic staff
 13
Students 140
Location Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
43°28′19″N 80°31′44″W / 43.47194°N 80.52889°W / 43.47194; -80.52889Coordinates: 43°28′19″N 80°31′44″W / 43.47194°N 80.52889°W / 43.47194; -80.52889
Campus Urban
Colours Burgundy     & Gold     
Affiliations ATS, CUSID,
Website www.wlu.ca/seminary

Waterloo Lutheran Seminary is a seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada affiliated with the nondenominational Wilfrid Laurier University, located in Waterloo, Ontario.[1]

History

In 1911, the Waterloo Lutheran Seminary of Canada opened its doors to students. Waterloo was selected as the location of the seminary for two main reasons, the first being that land was offered by the citizens of Waterloo on the edge of town, and the second being that most of the Lutherans in Canada at the time resided in the Waterloo and Berlin (now known as Kitchener) area.

In 1914 the Seminary developed non-theological courses under the name of the Waterloo College School. In 1924 the Waterloo College of Arts was established, offering post-secondary three-year programs. In 1925 the Faculty of Arts, under the name of Waterloo College, affiliated with the University of Western Ontario.

The University of Waterloo was originally conceived in 1955 as the Waterloo College Associate Faculties (WCAF), a semi-autonomous entity within Waterloo College (now Wilfrid Laurier University). In 1960, Waterloo College ended its affiliation with Western and became a university in its own right: Waterloo Lutheran University.

As a church-affiliated institution, Waterloo Lutheran was ineligible for capital funding from the province, and the Lutheran church was in no position to invest heavily in the university. On November 1, 1973, Waterloo Lutheran University dropped its church affiliation and became a public institution, Wilfrid Laurier University. Today Wilfrid Laurier University emphasizes liberal arts while the second public institution, University of Waterloo emphasises science and engineering.[1]

Waterloo Lutheran Seminary continues to operate in affiliation with the University and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.

Programs

Theological Education

The Waterloo Lutheran Seminary offers Master of Divinity and Diploma of Theology programme for people preparing for the ministry in a variety of churches and Master of Theological Studies (MTS) programmes in Historical Theology, New Testament Studies, Old Testament Studies, Systematic Theology, Functional Theology, and Pastoral Counselling. Pastoral Counselling is the largest MTS program and prepares people to work in counselling agencies and churches. Individuals studying for the diaconal ministry of the ELCIC can also pursue the MTS.

WLS also offers Master of Theology programmes in Homiletics, Christian Ethics, and Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy, as well as a Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Counselling and Marriage and Family Studies, a joint Master of Theological Studies/Master of Social Work and a Diploma in Spirituality in a Health Care Setting. A non-credit Certificate in Theological Studies is also available.

Spiritual Care & Psychotherapy (counselling)

The Waterloo Lutheran Seminary offers non-denominational graduate counselling programs within their Spiritual Care & Psychotherapy program stream. Spiritual Care & Psychotherapy is a unique form of therapy which uses spiritual resources as well as psychological understanding for healing and growth. It is provided by mental health professionals with in-depth spiritual, religious and theological education. Graduates of the Spiritual Care & Psychotherapy programs serve throughout society in counselling centres, social agencies, hospitals, schools, churches and synagogues. Drawing on spiritual and religious resources, chaplains and counsellors assist persons who are struggling with depression, grief, marital and family conflict, substance abuse and other issues. They also work with those persons who are seeking something more from their lives. Graduate programs in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy:

Centres and Institutes

The Delton Glebe Counselling Centre

Opened in October 2013, The Delton Glebe Counselling Centre was created as place where psychotherapy & spiritual care graduate students could practice. In addition, the centre serves the community in which it is located in. The Delton Glebe Counselling Centre is a multi-faith agency committed to strengthening emotional and spiritual well-being.

Partnerships

The Seminary offers the most extensive selection of Pastoral Counselling programs in Canada and graduates have been accredited by American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and the Canadian Association for Pastoral Practice and Education. WLS also offers a lecture series open to the community and continuing education programs. The school is a member of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada.

References

  1. 1 2 "Wilfrid Laurier University". The Canadian Encyclopedia. The Historica Foundation of Canada. Retrieved 2009-06-18.
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