Presidents and deans of the eight seminaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) issued two separate statements regarding their seminaries' reactions to the current economic climate in the United States. The presidents asked ELCA members for "understanding, support and continuing strong commitment."

Trying to keep tuitions low while churchwide support declined, seminaries have stepped up fundraising efforts, the presidents wrote in a Nov. 21 letter. The Rev. Michael L. Cooper-White, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Pa., issued the letter as current chair of the seminary presidents' meetings.

"Recent economic downturns have affected fundraising and increased pressures on each school," they said. "As endowment value declines, there is less ability to rely on long-term income-generating sources."