Director of Christian Education Emphasis

• Director of Christian Education Courses
• 45 Units

• CED 502: Church Leadership
• 3

This course teaches planning, administration and leadership skills important to the development, management and evaluation of Christian education ministry programs.

• CED 532: Methods of Christian Discipleship
• 3

Examines theory and practice of discipleship, catechesis, and spiritual formation as conducted in the ministry of the church. Focuses on planning, managing, delivering, evaluating, and integrating Christian teaching into the life of the church.

• CED 550: Counseling in Ministry
• 3

A foundation course providing an understanding of the content and process of counseling specific to a ministry setting. Specific aspects of the counseling process addressed include basic skills, legal and ethical issues, crisis intervention, cultural sensitivity, how and when to refer, and the integration of psychology and theology.

• CED 560: Adult Ministry
• 3

This course will look at adult learning theories, faith development, and discuss andragogy as it relates to the planning of effective adult education programs in a local congregation.

• CED 570: Children's and Family Ministry
• 3

A study of the church’s ministry with children from birth to twelve years of age. Emphasizes faith development theories; family and intergenerational ministry; teaching techniques related to children’s and family ministries; involving children along with their families in the total life of the church; and planning, administering, implementing and evaluating a comprehensive ministry to children and families.

• CED 580: Youth Ministry
• 3

A course which provides students basic foundations of parish youth ministry and an opportunity to better understand the current youth culture. Supplies a variety of organizational models and an opportunity to develop programming skills needed for successful parish youth ministry. A fieldwork component is required.

• Certification Requirements

• THL 201: History and Literature of the Old Testament
• 3

This course will investigate the literature of the Old Testament in light of its cultural and canonical contexts with an emphasis on its major theological questions and themes and their relevance for Christian faith and life.

• ATHL 202: History and Literature of the New Testament
• 3

This historical and literary survey course of the New Testament will emphasize theological themes and their relevance for Christian life and faith.

• CED 501: Introduction to Christian Education: Theory and Practice
• 3

Students will be introduced to the biblical, theological, and historical foundations of Christian education within the church. Students will meet and observe Christian education practitioners, create a philosophy of ministry, begin a professional portfolio, and explore their personal interests, giftedness, and skills in relation to those needed for success in Christian education leadership as well as determine their commitment to The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod Director of Christian Education program.

• THL 382: Corporate Worship
• 3

Through an examination of the theology of corporate worship as it is taught in Scripture, the Lutheran Confessions, and how it has developed throughout the history of the church, this course will look at the criteria for preparing and evaluating worship services in today’s church. Prerequisite: CTHL 101 or CTHL 200 or equivalent.

OR

• TPRC 542: Christian Worship in Cultural Context
• 3

This course will examine and assess the historical and theological understanding of worship within the Lutheran context, observing the forms and practice of worship within present, ethnic/multi-cultural communities. Guided by proper theological, historical, and contextual models, students will promote sacramental worship in various, new ethnic/multi-cultural missional settings.

• CED 593: DCE Pre-Internship Seminar

In this course students will spend time on-site in an LCMS ministry to acquire experience and skills related to DCE ministry, including evaluation of the fieldwork experience, with an emphasis on the development of leadership skills vital to DCE ministry through hands on ministry projects.

• Internship

• CED 594: Internship I: DCE
• 4

A mentored, full-time, year-long experience in a congregation of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) or ministry under the supervision of a called LCMS minister, enabling students to experience as many aspects of a congregation's educational ministries as possible. This may include children's, youth, family, adult, and other congregational ministries (e.g., evangelism, church music, etc.). The internship is designed to be a mutually cooperative ministry relationship between students, congregations, and the university. Twelve (12) months of internship are required for DCE certification. Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of academic program requirements and preliminary theological approval from the LCMS Church Vocations Council. A fee of $2340 is charged in lieu of tuition.

• CED 595: Internship II: DCE
• 4

A continuation of CED 594.

• CED 596: Internship III: DCE
• 4

A continuation of CED 595.