Office of the Rector
Welcome to Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary.
I am delighted that you are considering theological education and welcome your interest in PLTS. Our goal is to prepare leaders seeking to live as disciples of Jesus Christ and committed to working for justice in the world God loves. We believe that spiritual leaders of moral courage are formed in community and for community, and that this happens through ongoing vocational discernment, intellectual engagement with Scripture and tradition, practical community building and leadership skills, and deep engagement in a variety of cultural contexts.
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary is a graduate school of California Lutheran University which offers a rich variety of resources and support for the mission of the seminary. PLTS is the only ELCA seminary in the western part of the United States. We are supported by and work closely with the eleven ELCA synods of regions 1 and 2. In an effort to prepare leaders for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, together we are exploring emerging models of church and innovative approaches to transformational ministry in the more secular context of the west.
PLTS is also a founding member of the Graduate Theological Union, a consortium of 17 seminaries and research centers in partnership with the University of California at Berkeley. The GTU is the largest and most diverse center for the graduate study of religion in North America. PLTS students have the opportunity to take classes from all of the schools in the consortium and to be a part of a unique community where scholars and practitioners from across the world’s great religions gather for academic study of their own and other traditions and disciplines.
PLTS is located in the heart of downtown Berkeley close to the University of California and near a BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) station for easy access to Oakland and San Francisco. The Bay Area also offers beautiful landscapes that include many opportunities for outdoor adventures on trails and beaches in all directions.
All of us welcome the opportunity to meet with you and talk with you about the Spirit’s call to be a leader who acts on your faith to make a difference in the world.
Best wishes,
Ray
Office of the Rector
Raymond Pickett
Rector
(510) 559-2710
Alayna Earl
Administrative Coordinator
(510) 559-2713
From the Rector's Desk
From the Rector's Desk -- February 2019
This week marks the beginning of the spring semester.
From the Rector's Desk - November 2018
When I last wrote we were just a couple of weeks into the new academic year. Now we are closer to the end of the semester and just a few days away from Thanksgiving break. A lot has happened in the intervening weeks.
From the Rector's Desk - September 2018
Today marks the second week of classes in the new academic year. The semester is off to a good start.
From the Rector's Desk - June 2018
PLTS has just completed its first full year in the new space in downtown Berkeley, and I have now been the Rector for exactly a year and four days. I arrived in Berkeley for the decommissioning service on May 27, 2017 and walked with others down the hill to our new location on Center Street where we began a new chapter in the history of PLTS.
From the Rector's Desk - April 2018
As I have traveled around Regions 1 and 2 these past months visiting synod councils, individuals and congregations, people have been enthusiastic and supportive of this new chapter in the story of PLTS and have requested more ongoing communication about the seminary.