Training
Continuing Education
Making Jesus Real
A COURSE FOR LUTHERAN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS​
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This course serves as a modified version of the Early Childhood Curriculum for Lutheran Teachers which grew out of needs expressed by congregations of the Pacific Southwest District of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod to inform and acculturate early childhood teachers with answers to the following questions: What is a Lutheran school, specifically, early childhood center? How are Lutheran schools unique? What do Lutherans believe? What is the heritage of the Lutheran schools? What are the characteristics of the Lutheran teacher? With the goal of training and equipping early childhood educators for careers in Lutheran early childhood centers this course will focus on the following critical areas: 1) Lutheran thought and teaching (theology); 2) Nurturing the faith (faith development); 3) A distinctively Lutheran education (history of Lutheran education); 4) Methods and materials for teaching the faith to the young child. We pray that our new version will accomplish these goals in a way that is accessible, attractive, affordable, applicable and authentic.
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Administrators, if you would like to lead your staff through the full series of sessions as a day long staff retreat we have created this guide to help you plan out that day. We do pray this is a useful tool!
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School Leadership Development (SLED)
Since 1996, The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod has conducted School Leadership Recruitment and Training processes through the School Leadership Development Project (SLED). Its purpose is “To identify and recruit thirty leadership participants serving in Lutheran schools and train them through two national SLED events conducted by LCMS School Ministry.” As a result, nearly 400 potential administrative candidates have been prepared for leadership in Lutheran schools.
Spiritual Nurture in the Lutheran Early Childhood Classroom
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The Lutheran Education Association (LEA) has created a video series entitled "Spiritual Nurture in the Early Childhood Classroom". This series was developed for early childhood educators and provides practical strategies to promote the integration of the Christian Faith into classroom environments, curricular experiences, and school families' homes. This is another great way to help orient and train EC educators on the ministry of the preschool and what it means to teach in a Lutheran school.
Training God's people to actively and confidently participate in God's mission through online training opportunities. Want to grow in serving your church and community? Check out Mission Training Center. Through our online platform and network of LCMS instructors you will grow in knowing what you believe and why you believe it, as well as develop a wide variety of skills to enhance your service to your church and witness in your community.
Seminaries/Universities
LCMS Seminaries
Concordia Seminary – St. Louis, Missouri
801 Seminary Place
St. Louis, MO 63105
Phone: (314) 505-7000
Website: www.csl.edu
Concordia Theological Seminary – Ft. Wayne, Indiana
6600 North Clinton Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46825
Phone: (260) 452-2100
Website: www.ctsfw.edu
LCMS Universities
Concordia University, Ann Arbor, Michigan
4090 Geddes Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Phone: (734) 995-7300
Website: www.cuaa.edu
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Concordia University, Chicago, Illinois
7400 Augusta St.
River Forest, IL 60305-1499
Phone: (708)771-8300
Website: www.cuchicago.edu
Concordia University, Irvine, CA
1530 Concordia West
Irvine, CA 92612
Phone: (949)854-8002
Website: www.cui.edu
Concordia University, Mequon, Wisconsin
12800 N. Lake Shore Drive
Mequon, WI 53097
Phone: (888) 628-9472
Website: www.cuw.edu
Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota
275 North Syndicate Street
St. Paul, MN 55104
Phone: (800) 333-4705
Website: www.csp.edu
Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska
800 N. Columbia Avenue
Seward, NE 68434
Phone: (800) 535-5994
Website: www.cune.edu
Specific Ministry Program (SMP)
The SMP program is designed for congregations who would not normally be able to call a pastor from either the seminary or another congregation, but who have identified someone within their own congregation whom they wish to receive the training necessary in order to serve as their pastor. This program involves a significant distance learning component combined with residence requirements at one of the church’s seminaries. For information regarding the SMP program at each seminary, please see the links below.
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO
Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, IN
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Ethnic Immigrant Institute on Theology (EIIT) & Hispanic Institute of Theology
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO, offers two opportunities for those serving in immigrant or Spanish-speaking congregations. For information about these programs please visit the seminary’s website.
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Colloquy Program
Lutheran Schools are much more than great academic schools that also have religion class. Lutheran Schools depend on teachers uniquely prepared to educate from the same founding perspective – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8) From that starting point Lutheran teachers integrate faith into their life and across the curriculum, apply Law and Gospel, contribute to the Lutheran ethos of the school and a Christian worldview approach to education. The Colloquy Program, through CUEnet, provides the education component necessary to be certified (Commissioned) as a Lutheran school teacher. A total of 8 courses, all available online, Colloquy can be completed as quickly as 8 months or as long as 40 months while serving at a Lutheran school.
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Colloquy Courses
1. Old Testament
2. New Testament
3. History of Theology and the Church Christian Doctrine
4. Lutheran Confessions
5. Varieties of Belief
6. The Lutheran Teacher I
7. The Lutheran Teacher II
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For more information, including eligibility requirements, go to the CUEnet website.