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Fall 2014
CHALLENGES:
How Can the CH U RCH
respond
IN CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Fall 2014
Vol. 48, No. 1
Editor
Editorial Committee
Editorials
Associate
Associate
Graphic Design
Copy Editor
Circulation Coordinator
Reflections
Rev. Dr. Brian L. Friedrich, President
Editorials
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Book Reviews
Issues in Christian Education is available online only. We encourage church workers, lay leaders, interested
congregational members, university and seminary faculties, district and synod offices, and libraries to visit
www.cune.edu/issues and simply complete the sign-up form on the page.
reections
What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?
CONCORDESIGN STUDIO
A Student + Faculty Design Collaborative
As mother tells it, I gave only one answer to this question, a pastor! Whether
that was my only answer, I do not remember. However, I do remember how well
and often I was encouraged to follow this vocational calling. It was the work
of the Holy Spirit and the call of the church that led me to prepare for and to
be placed in the pastoral ministry of The Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod.
However, it was also the support of my parents, prayers of congregational
members, encouragement of relatives and friends, the financial support of
Synod, district, congregation and family, and the never-ending love of my
wife that, humanly speaking, made this possible.
This edition of Issues peels back many layers of a much asked and vitally
important question being asked throughout our church: How can the church
respond to the decline in church worker enrollments? The answers to the
question are complex, but there are answers, the most important of which
is the power of the Holy Spirit sending forth workers into the harvest field.
The following quotes of authors of the edition are samples of the richness
of their perspectives.
The mission of the cus institutions has experienced a shift. The shift
has been in the broadening and expansion of the mission, rather than
a change from one mission to another. The distinction is crucial to
understand. (Philp)
I believe that the value of a degree from a cus institution plays a large
role in challenging, molding, and equipping men and women for
service and leadership in church and world. (Schranz)
It can seem to be presumptuous to comment on Gods work. Recruiting
church workers is essentially a person answering Gods call. To suggest
that we can orchestrate, manipulate or force such is problematic .
It is Gods activity. (Schrank)
Research indicates that 85 percent of those seeking a college degree
are post-traditional, not seeking a traditional residential college
experience. That means that less than 15 percent of undergraduate
students in the United States are pursuing their degree in a traditional
residential program (Soares, 2014). As a result, creating options for
those 85 percent to become rostered church workers will require
alternate models, many that are made possible by the revolution in
digital education. (Bull)
It is the privilege and calling to announce, to embody, to live out and
display the truthful and beautiful world that is ours by Gods grace
in Christ. To spend ones life in inviting people to the realization
that they are the apex of Gods creative labors rather than cosmic
accidents is noble and satisfying in a profound way, for it flows from
Gods grace and mercy. Indeed, every Christian is called to witness to
this truthful and beautiful world. The blessing of giving ones life to
service to Christ is simply that one can fill ones days and nights with
the beautiful and truthful narrative of Gods love and mercy. (Wenthe)
Come, Holy Spirit, and kindle in us the fire of your love that through the
witness, work and words of your called workers, all may know the Good News
of the Gospel and be saved for all eternity.
editorials
A Decade as Placement
Director
Issues
This past year I celebrated my 10th year road to travel. Though the placement process
as Director of Synodical Placement at itself hasnt changed, the call documents
Concordia University Nebraska. Though have changed, and the way information
my title has changed some over the years, is exchanged between calling bodies and
my role has remained the same: to facilitate placement officers has changed. In my
placement for our synodical candidates and early days in Placement, before we used
assist our public education candidates in digital and electronic copies, our office
their search for employment. It has been a sent out hundreds of paper credential files
decade of blessings for me, watching God with candidates information to calling
work through the gifts He has given me, bodies. My administrative assistant and her
to assist more than 1,000 candidates find organized groups of student workers stuffed
opportunities to serve and share the Good large envelopes and coordinated the mass
News of Jesus Christ in ministry within mailings of these files. At that time, some
schools and churches in communities of our student credential files required two
weeks to reach a calling body. Today, we
around the world.
I begin each academic year meeting get digital copies of a credential file in the
in groups with all Education, Director hands of calling bodies usually within 24
of Christian Education, and Director of hours and sometimes even within the hour
Parish Music candidates. This allows me of a request.
The days when we held a Service of
the opportunity to introduce myself to our
soon-to-be graduates and get them thinking Consecration or Call Service where
about life after college. Over the next few graduates received their call documents
weeks I meet individually with our synodical are gone. Todays candidates and calling
and public candidates. As they enter my bodies work through a protocol process
office, many will comment on the photos and known as the Guidelines for Designation.
mementos on my shelvesa memory lane to Candidates openly correspond about
me, reminding me how God continues to ministry opportunities with calling bodies
work in and through my life. It is also a great using technology to communicate. Skype
conversation starter as we get to learn more interviews are common. Candidates share
about each other. Candidates share their their online portfolios which contain their
future teaching goals and job preferences. education philosophy, classroom teaching
We talk about geographical preferences examples with sample lesson plans and
and also where they dont see themselves rubrics. Most portfolios contain photos and
beginning their ministry. Some will share some contain video clips, which provide a
news of their upcoming marriage and others plethora of information for calling bodies
their love for ministry overseas. This time of to review.
Technology has allowed us to become more
life for our soon-to-be graduates is exciting
and adventurous, yet scary and complicated. efficient in getting information about our
They often share their concerns about candidates to calling bodies and to public
school districts looking to hire teachers.
finding a teaching job or being called.
Not many candidates at first see the poster More than 90 percent of the hiring for
hanging above my computer. It reads, We public teacher openings are facilitated in
may not know what the future holds, but some way through submitting information
we know Who holds the future. But it to school districts electronically. In a
reminds the candidate and me how God similar way, all Lutheran ChurchMissouri
works through us to serve others. Here is the Synod calling bodies are able to make
time I get to remind them of who is really their requests by contacting the Concordia
in charge of our lives and of this placement System University Placement Directors
process. We complete the credential files and filling out an online form called the
and prepare for interviews, but we continue Candidate Request Form. This form was
to pray always and leave God in control of developed by the placement directors six
years ago and has been supported by the
the process.
My ten-year time line as Director of Concordia University System (cus). This
Synodical Placement has been an interesting has enabled calling entities to go online,
What my Teachers
Showed Me
Fall 2014
editorials
Don Gillingham
Issues
Fall 2014
M.Div., M.S. Ed
Colloquy Mentor, Director of Technology,
Concordia University Education Network
tsternberg@cuenet.edu
Issues
Table 1
Fall 2014
Enrollment Trends
2000 to the Present
The current enrollment numbers and the
numbers of church work students included
in those numbers provide a snapshot of the
current scene across the cus. Table 2 illustrates
how these numbers compare to cus enrollment
and church worker enrollments since 2000.
The years 2005 and 2009 are provided as
touch points of comparison between 2000 and
the present. {Table 2}
An examination of the data presented
in Table 2 reveals a number of trends in
enrollment at the cus institutions. Enrollment
at the cus institutions during this period of
time has increased substantially; more than
twice as many students were being served and
taught in cus institutions during the 20132014 Academic Year than in the 2000-2001
Academic Year. The increase in enrollment
illustrates the strong growth and academic
excellence of the cus institutions. The overall
trend of increased enrollment does not match
the trend in church work enrollment; while
it might be expected that a corresponding
Table 2
2005
426
1439
404
34
33
182
57
38
0
0
0
2,613
13,658
4,911
18,569
Explanations
10
2009
245
1192
278
18
26
78
44
19
0
0
0
1,900
13,852
11,664
25,516
2013
156
* The data does not break down
1,011
this category; teachers at all
251 grade and specialization levels
9 are included.
** This number includes diaconal
21
students enrolled at Concordia
32
Chicago, as well as students
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enrolled in pre-deaconess
prog rams at ot her cus
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institutions who will complete
0
their studies elsewhere.
0
*** This program was not in
0
existence in 2000.
****These programs ceased to exist
1,531
in the reporting between 2000
16,580
and 2005.
16,819
33,399
Issues
Fall 2014
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Further Discussion
What Does This Mean?
The data presented raise several items for
discussion within the cus institutions and the
broader church. The increases in enrollment,
the addition of new programs, the extension
of institutional mission, and the many
opportunities for shining the Light of Christ
into the dark arena of higher education and the
world itself are all positive aspects of the work
of the cus institutions. At the same time, these
items have generated a substantial amount of
discussion about the work of the institutions
and are often linked directly with the decrease
in church work enrollments. Paramount
for any discussion regarding enrollment at
cus institutions is the clarification that the
relationship in enrollment trends is not causal.
Closely related to this key point is the process
of emphasizing a Christ-centered focus paired
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Issues
References
Fall 2014
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We Believe in Death
This may seem to be a strange place to start,
but we begin at the end, otherwise known as
the end, that is, our new beginning. Death is
real. So are heaven and hell. Without Christ an
eternity of separation from God awaits.Over
seven billion people now inhabit this planet.
The vast majority does not know Jesus Christ.
Each person who reads this article will die
someday. Our time is limited. Teach us to
number our days, as the Scripture says. This
perspective forces the question, Who will
follow you in your Christian work? Who will be
the teacher who will succeed you, the preacher
to speak from your pulpit, the missionary on
the field, the youth workers to shepherd the
young? Who follows you when you die? You
might say, This is morbid. I say, Teach us
to number our days.
Issues
Fall 2014
We Believe in Children
What a great season of life is childhood. How
many of your childhood memories include
church? Christmas Eve services, singing on
Easter Sunday, sitting with family, serving
together, etc. are precious memories. Our goal
is to instill faith in the children entrusted to our
care. What a precious season of life and what
We Believe in Parents
Honor your Father and Mother. The fourth
commandment comes right after three that
speak of Gods priority, Name and Word. It is
significant to note that parents have a Godgiven role for their children. In my 26 years in
church work I have met many different parents
views of the question, Have you ever thought
about your child being a church worker? I have
many that are honored that I thought of their
child in that light.Others have said, Oh no. I
do not want that life for my child. Then they
catch themselves. That life. When explaining,
they name fewer resources and heavier burdens
to carry through life as undesirable challenges.
But that becomes a jumping off point for the
blessing of impacting eternity. Parents are our
partners. What greater joy than to say that your
child is impacting eternity?
We Believe in Congregational
School Partnerships
Christ Lutheran-Church and School contained my
early life and was my home. It reared me. I was baptized,
catechized, confirmed, wed and ordained there. And for
it I am eternally grateful. Though at times imperceptibly
and often with my resistance, the Holy Spirit through
that church provided the soil and spiritual cultivation
that led to me becoming a pastor. I simply would not
be the person I am today without it.
(Rev. Adam Burke, Mt. Hope Lutheran
Church, Boulder, Colorado)
Our congregation has an elementary school,
and is the primary supporting church for
Arizonas only Lutheran ChurchMissouri
Synod high school. These three work together.
Like a stool with three legs, church work
recruitment culture cannot and does not
work unless all three are standing. Without
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We Believe in Teachers
We have great teachers. Let me write it again.
We have great teachers. Buildings are nice, but
teachers are the most fundamental components
for future church workers.
My teachers at Christ Lutheran School helped me
tremendously as I learned how to use the gifts God
gave me. Through countless service opportunities and
summer camp experiences, I saw in myself a desire
to lead others toward Christ. Living as Christ in the
classroom has been the greatest joy of my life!
(Tiffany Hartfield, Teacher at Christ
Lutheran School, Phoenix, Arizona)
If you are a teacher and are reading this,you
matter. Your life and calling matter. Look at
your students. Can any of you see any of them
serving God with their lives? Your words are
powerful; your encouragement is life changing.
My own faith and calling were influenced almost
exclusively by teachers. It was one well-placed
question, Have you ever considered being a
pastor? which changed the course of my life.
I attended a Lutheran elementary school in
Milwaukee. Milwaukee Lutheran was pivotal
for my life. I am eternally grateful for all of
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Issues
Fall 2014
We Believe in Opportunity
The world is filled with needs, not the least
of which is the need to know and love Jesus
Christ. The brokenness and stress of our age
We Believe in Life
Death, the church, work and prayer, children,
parents, church/school partnership, teachers,
love of each other, a culture that is welcoming
and fun. These words represent a picture of the
life of this Christian community. A life that
embraces a church, an elementary school and
a high school. A community that is attempting
to impact lives for eternity. I end as I began. It
is presumptuous to suggest that one can find
a formal program for finding church workers,
for ultimately it is God who calls one to service.
All ministry is local, and by the Spirit of God,
people from your community will be called to go
out, to be sent, to serve for a lifetime. How are
you a participant in that plan of redemption?
May God grant your ministry His strength and
grace and wisdom.
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Issues
Fall 2014
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Issues
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Fall 2014
Low-residence Programs
A National Competency-Based
Digital Badge System
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Conclusion
I have chiefly written this article to initiate
a national discussion, not to offer a specific
solution or roadmap. These three proposed
models are far from refined, and they leave
many unanswered questions. Whats more,
every model has its benefits and limitations.
Yet, what if we embraced a vision like this on
a national level, maintaining high standard,
providing highly affordable options, and
making a strong effort to provide flexibility of
time, pace, place and pathway (Horn, 2014)?
This will not solve all the problems related to
a church worker shortage, but implementing
such a multi-faceted approach would give us
confidence that we have not unknowingly or
unnecessarily prevented people from earning
a Lutheran Teacher Diploma.
Footnote
For a Helpful introduction to Digital Badges, watch
the following short YouTube video: What is a Badge?
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgLLq7ybDtc).
References
Horn, M. (n.d.). What is Blended Learning?
Retrieved September 16, 2014, from http://www.
christenseninstitute.org/ blended-learning/
Soares, L. (2013, January 1). Post-traditional
Learners and the Transformation of Postsecondary
Education: A Manifesto for College Leaders.American
Council on Education Newsletter. Retrieved September 16,
2014, from http://www.acenet.edu/news-room/
Documents/Post-traditional-Learners.pdf
Issues
Fall 2014
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Issues
book reviews
Thriving in Leadership:
Strategies for Making a Difference
in Christian Higher Education.
Edited by Karen A. Longman.
Abilene, Texas: Abilene Christian
University Press, 2012.
This work is a valuable resource for any
and all persons who are leaders or striving
to become leaders in Christian higher
education. It is worthy of a must read
designation for such persons. The book,
while primarily oriented toward seniorlevel administrative leaders, has potential
for application for leaders beyond such
a narrowly defined group. Divided into
three chapters, the 17 essays written by
scholar practitioners provide a wide range
of theological, philosophical and practical
resources for college and university leaders,
but have applications to leaders of other
Christian organizations as well.
Longmans work, drawn from persons
who served as resource leaders for the
cccus Leadership Development Institutes,
held since 1998 at Cedar Spring Christian
Retreat Center in Sumas, Washington, seeks
to help grow leaders for Christian colleges
and universities. To that end, each essay is
accompanied by a set of questions to foster
discussion about fundamental leadership
issues as well as the mission and strategic
operation of an institution.
Some of the nuggets I mined as I read the
work include:
Fall 2014
T h i s c h apte r i s ba s ed on t he
underlying premise that Christ
calls us to lead like Him in body
and place . Leading with Christ
at the center of our physical beings
and at the center of our workplaces
requires a particular attention
to our own physical being in our
workplaces. (p. 61)
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book reviews
Faith and Learning: A Handbook
for Christian Higher Education.
Dockery, David. Nashville:
B & H Publishing Group, 2012.
Of the 2,284 four-year colleges and
universities indexed at the Big Future
website maintained by the College Board,
742 of them are listed as having some
sort of religious affiliation. The nature
of this affiliation varies considerably,
from a vestigial historical connection
to a thoughtfully integrated Christian
ministry concept.
In my 20 years on the faculty at Concordia
Nebraska, I have been blessed to be part of a
continuous conversation with my colleagues
regarding the nature of our Lutheran and
Christian identity. The nature of this
conversationwhich has taken place on many
levels, from ingenuous attempts to figure
out what our mission is to well-organized
Lutheran Identity table talks with the full
faculty to the always necessary one-on-one
talks with colleagues in halls and officesis
less important than the fact that it continues
to take place, renewing and regenerating our
commitment to serve in ministry together
as a Christian learning community.
In these post-2008 years of tight budgets
and media-fueled public skepticism about
the value of higher education, when each
institution fights for its market niche and
Christian schools can be tempted to craft
their religious identity around whatever
we think will appeal to students, those of
us who wish to maintain that identity must
work harder than ever before. We have seen
too many peer institutions drift away into
the default blah secularism of the academy,
drifting along with the worldly winds that
blow always away from Christ.
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Issues
Kurth A. Brashear
Fall 2014
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CHALLENGES:
How Can the CH U RCH
respond