This summer has been very busy for me. I am taking two online classes at Martin Luther College and will be leaving to travel to New Ulm, MN. for a two week class called Principle of Christian Education. During the class, which meets from 8 AM to 2 PM with a lunch break, the students will be getting an overview of Christian education in the formal Lutheran sense. The purpose of the class is to gain an understanding and appreciation of Lutheran schools as one of the means by which WELS carries out the Lord’s command to “tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done” Psalm 78:4.

Some of you have no doubt had this class in your formal instruction or something close to it. I am looking forward to learning how the Christian treats education as opposed or contrasted with secular principles of education. As I go through the class, I will be sure to take notes and post some of my thoughts on our discussions here. My hope is that the discussions here will trigger some thoughts about how you handle educating Lutheran children in your classes and schools.

The course content will be divided into four primary areas that include Christian Nurture, Christian Education, Christian Instruction and Contemporary Issues. We will be looking at challenges to Christian education with case studies as well as the typical readings and reviewing books on the topics.

Once I get settled in New Ulm in the MLC dormitory, I will try to post my experiences.