DOTHAN, Ala. - TelAve -- Triumphant Cross Lutheran Church is pleased to announce that congregant Cindy Manning has been accepted into the Theological Education for Emerging Ministries (TEEM) program at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS), a non-residential pathway to ordained ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Upon completing the program and receiving ordination, Manning will accept a pastoral call to serve Triumphant Cross Lutheran Church.

Manning is being sponsored by the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA, of which Triumphant Cross is a member congregation, and is working directly with Bishop Kevin Strickland and Pastor Jonathan Hemphill at the Synod. Her path to ordination is expected to take approximately 18 months.

"We are overjoyed by this news," said Howard Young of Triumphant Cross. "Cindy has answered a call that our congregation has been praying toward for more than two years. We are grateful to Bishop Strickland, Pastor Hemphill, and the Southeastern Synod for making this possible."

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Background: A Nationwide Pastoral Shortage

The ELCA currently faces a significant shortage of ordained clergy. By some estimates, roughly 5,000 congregations are without a pastor or actively seeking to fill a call. Triumphant Cross has navigated this reality over the past two years, with several supply pastors generously serving the congregation during the search.

TEEM was designed to address this need. The program - now in its 25th year with approximately 200 PLTS-Luther graduates - prepares qualified candidates for ordained ministry through contextual, home-based theological education. Students complete 16 courses and four workshops alongside internship and Clinical Pastoral Education requirements, supported by a local pastor-mentor throughout.

The Southeastern Synod cohort is one of three regional TEEM locations currently in operation, alongside Indianapolis and Portland.

About Triumphant Cross Lutheran Church

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Triumphant Cross Lutheran Church is an ELCA congregation located in Dothan, Alabama, serving the Wiregrass region. The congregation is committed to worship, community outreach, and equipping its members to live out the Gospel in everyday life. Learn more at https://triumphantcross.net

About TEEM

The Theological Education for Emerging Ministries (TEEM) program is offered through Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in partnership with Luther Seminary. It prepares individuals for ordained ministry in the ELCA through a non-residential, contextual curriculum that allows candidates to study and serve within their home communities. More information is available at plts.edu