PLTS Reconciling in Christ Statement
PLTS is proud to be Reconciling in Christ.
Welcome to PLTS, a seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a faith and learning community dedicated to excellence in theological education for developing leaders for the church in the world.
Our beautiful location, dynamic faculty, cutting-edge curriculum, closely-knit community and membership in the Graduate Theological Union, provide a unique setting for engaging issues of Christian faith, discipleship, and the communication of the gospel to a world in need of truly good news.
PLTS is an inclusive community and offers hospitality to all who participate in our programs of study. As disciples of Christ committed to public leadership among God's people in diverse and challenging cultural contexts, we eagerly learn from and welcome one another's diversity, including, but not limited to, theological perspective, race, ethnicity, nationality, gender identity, relationship status, age, physical ability, social and economic status and sexual orientation.
PLTS is a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). PLTS was the first seminary of the ELCA to become RIC. PLTS is committed to working toward gender and racial equity for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions and Black, Brown, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) on campus, in our churches, and within society. Read our Reconciling in Christ Statement adopted April 24, 2009.
A variety of networks and communities exist on campus, in our churches, and within society to support the diversity of God’s creation as students, staff, and faculty at PLTS as we study, work, have a life, prepare for and live out particular ministries, and have fun together!
PLTS is a participant in Safe Zone. The Safe Zone Allies are a network of PLTS and Cal Lutheran faculty, staff and students who are supportive of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, and questioning, and asexual/aromantic (LGBTIQIA+) students and underrepresented cultural/racial and religious groups. Allies are individuals who are willing to provide a safe haven, a listening ear, and support for people on their campus from an underrepresented group.
As a graduate school of California Lutheran University, students, staff, and faculty have access to university resources. Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries (ELM) publishes a rich array of resources to advise and support potential and current LGBTQQIA+ candidates starting or continuing in the ELCA candidacy process. As part of ELM, Proclaim is a professional network of seminarians preparing for rostered leadership and rostered leaders in the ELCA. Reconciling Works is another Lutheran supported organization committed to strengthen all of God’s beloved for authentic, visible, faithful lives and to work for systemic change within the church and society. If you have questions, need advice, and/or require support and advocacy, please do not hesitate to reach out to ELM staff; our PLTS ELM Seminary Advocate; and Student Affairs.