A video recording of the full inauguration ceremony of President Ristau is now available online! We again thank all who could be in attendance for this historic event.
Many kind and generous statements were read during the ceremony from special guests and representatives who regretted their inability to attend.
Rev. Matthew Harrison, president of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, was not able to attend but sent a personalized greeting: “We wish Dr. Ristau and LCC well in pursuing their unique academic, vocational, and educational goals. I look forward to conversation on how LCC might relate to the LCMS… in the future. Blessings in Christ.”
Mr. Mark Stern sent greetings on behalf of the Walter C. Dissen Charitable Trust, of which he is co-trustee: “Walter C. Dissen missed few significant events or confessional meetings of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod over the last 60 years of his life. Had he not been translated to the Church triumphant last year, I am sure he would have made every effort to be here with you today, and been delighted to see the fruits of your labors to date.” In articulating the late Mr. Dissen’s ‘significant interest’ in Lutheran higher education and the proper mission of schools in service of the Church, Mr. Stern added: “Thanks be to God for your faithful confession, and for the resources He has provided to make this great day possible, given through many supporters including the late Walter Dissen.”
Pres. Thomas Winger of Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Catherine’s, Ontario, drew attention to Paul’s exhortation that “elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor.” In explaining that the best translation of “to rule” is “to preside,” Dr. Winger’s letter concluded with his own encouragement for his friend and former colleague Dr. Ristau: “I present these words of Paul to you with the confident prayer that you will not just be a good president, but also a God-pleasing presider. May you preach, teach, and model Christ to the faculty and students under your care. If you do this, a double honour will come to you—that you are not only honoured for your position, but also for the way you bear it.”
Rev. Steve Kieser, President of the Consortium for Classical Lutheran Education (CCLE), commented thus in regard to Dr. Ristau’s important role: “His true heart for the Gospel, his unwavering confessional commitment, his impressive academic record and acclaimed authorship will equip him well in furthering the mission of Luther Classical College to provide a conservative, classical Lutheran education to prepare students for godly vocations within family, church, and society. God be praised!”
All of us at LCC remember the Holy Spirit’s words through Paul to the Philippians, “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” The well-wishes of such leaders within the Church reflect a beautiful concord around God’s Word and our common labor to exalt it as that which gives life to our very souls, and to feed on it as disciples of Christ. This, indeed, is our heritage as Lutherans: Christian concord. Praise God for such a unifying mission of the Church in Luther Classical College, and for His merciful provisions in our esteemed president, Rev. Dr. Harold Ristau.