From the Editor’s Desk

by Savanah Baker

The Sower received controversial feedback regarding the Sept. 16 article, “CUNE no longer has LCMS majority,” so I would like to comment on the article.

There are facts, and then there are other facts. We chose to report on the fact the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod population is no longer a majority on campus according to data from the admissions office.

It is not our job to sell Concordia, but to report on relevant stories that take place on this campus or affect the Concordia community.

The declining population was worth reporting as opposed to an article establishing that an LCMS university has a large population of LCMS students. The shift in numbers, not the long-established LCMS population, was the newsworthy story.

That does not mean, however, that the LCMS population is not prevalent at Concordia. In the seventh and eighth paragraph in the article, we said that 49.5 percent of the student body is LCMS and stated that Lutherans still make up more than half of the population.

It should also be noted that we acknowledged in the 10th paragraph that our statistics differ from the registrar’s because we chose to report on the last four years of statistics, while the registrar’s data included all undergraduates (meaning fifth or sixth year seniors).

We reported facts. Is that not the purpose of a newspaper?

My biggest question is: why does it matter? If the admissions office is worried that people won’t attend Concordia because we have a declining LCMS population, then the university should address the issue in recruiting.

But no one should be upset that we have a dynamic campus.

If everyone was LCMS, what would we gain? There might be less questioning of our beliefs, and thus our beliefs might not take as deep of root.

This expanding, diverse campus provides important grounds for individuals to establish themselves and their beliefs.

Why is that a problem?

I personally appreciate the array of beliefs on this campus because it helped me take a firm stance in my beliefs.
During my freshman and sophomore years, I took the general education classes that are taught from a Lutheran viewpoint: Old Testament, New Testament and Faith and Life.
When I encountered things I disagreed with in these classes, it drove me to consider my beliefs and to find Bible passages that supported my beliefs.

If I couldn’t find something to back up my belief, then I began reading on the topic in order to form my opinion.

This dynamic campus has the ability to further strengthen people’s beliefs regardless of denomination.

There shouldn’t be backlash on an article regarding the LCMS population declining.

Instead, realize we have the opportunity to impact and influence the lives of young adults.

In the end, we are all brothers and sisters of Christ. He doesn’t care if we are Lutheran or Catholic or nondenominational. He cares if we believe in Him.

Let’s capitalize on this opportunity and help each other strengthen our beliefs.