 by Rev. Dr. Wayne Wilke Director Concordia House Studies As we move into the twenty-first century, it is vitally important that we continue to be aware of how modern technology can be used to teach the faith and to prepare leaders for the future. |
“No, Grandpa! I want to see this DVD!”
Drew, my two-and-one-half year old grandson, then proceeded to load his DVD into the player, turn it and the TV on, and as “Barney and Friends” came on the screen, looked to see my reaction. He wasn’t analyzing whether I was amazed at his technological ability. He was checking to see if he had been successful in conning Grandpa into letting him see one more DVD. Drew’s technological skills came to my mind a few days later as I listened to a speaker at a theological conference. “Consider this,” the speaker said. “Modern electronic technology is for baby boomers as English is to those who have learned English as a second language. “Boomers will always be immigrants in this world; our children and grandchildren are the native speakers.” This statement was made to introduce us to the topic of the use of digital technology as part of theological education. How can iPods, web sites and podcasts be useful tools for the education of future pastors? What are the avenues we need to explore to make online education a regular part of a pastor’s continuing education? It is absolutely true that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. There is no doubt; God’s Word remains the same for all eternity. But in His goodness, God gives us new gifts and tools to help us be ever fresh and always effective in communicating that Word. We rejoice that the church is using new technologies and resources as tools for teaching future pastors and teachers. Did you know that you can download seminary courses to your iPod, MP3 player or home computer? Concordia Seminary-St. Louis offers courses in Elementary Greek and Elementary Hebrew in partnership with Apple Computers iTunes U. The Elementary Greek course was accessed 43,000 times in the first week of June. In fact, that class was the fifth most popular download among offerings from a dozen institutions, including Duke, MIT and Stanford. God continues to amaze us with His blessings! Digital technology, coupled with high speed Internet availability, is affecting the teaching-learning process both on and off campus. Our seminaries are using a variety of new technologies to teach both pastors-in-preparation and pastors serving God’s people. Technology is another tool being used to support the work of theological formation. These tools are used to improve learning by enriching the student’s learning experiences and by making them more accessible. Learning moves beyond the confines of the classroom when chat rooms, discussion boards and email exchanges are incorporated into the course design. Students are encouraged in their learning by the use of different teaching styles and methods. Last month’s Synodical convention considered a proposal to create a new seminary track for “specific ministry pastors.” The Specific Ministry Pastor program seeks to combine the strength of seminary learning with the immediate application to the context within which the learning takes place. It is intended for men who are already engaged in a specific ministry setting. |
The purpose of this program is to prepare men for service in specific ministry areas, including church planting. These men would be educated primarily on location. Instruction would combine practical application by a mentor pastor incorporating instruction from the seminary faculties delivered via computer. This new model will be almost completely dependant on technology for its delivery.
Both LCMS seminaries endorsed this resolution, as did the Synod’s Board for Pastoral Education and the LCMS Council of Presidents. All of these entities are convinced that an alternate form of theological education is necessary if we are to meet the Ablaze goals of planting 2,000 more congregations by 2017. The Specific Ministry Proposal seeks to meet a wide variety of the Church’s needs through these different avenues of pastoral education. It recognizes the full range of education, experience and engagement with fellow pastors that can be used to prepare men for the work and office of the Holy Ministry. At the same time it can begin to solve the Synod’s need for faithful pastors who will fulfill the Great Commission in this 21st Century. The analogy of being an immigrant in the land of technology is probably a very good description of many of us baby boomers. All I have to do is watch my pre-school grandson manipulate the technology that is so much a part of his world. Just because we have never done education this way before doesn’t mean that the Church can ignore the new tools. Sound pedagogical practice will engage with these tools — and others still to come — to enrich student learning. This will be harder for some of us than for others, but I am convinced that the church must embrace every sound tool and use it for the advancement of the Gospel. The Lutheran Church has a rich history of being on the cutting edge of technology. Lutheran Hour Ministry was a pioneer in the early use of both radio and television. As we move into the twenty-first century, it is vitally important that we continue to be aware of how modern technology can be used to teach the faith and to prepare leaders for the future. The Concordia House of Studies will be involved with these new technologies. CHS will be involved with the seminaries as they implement The Specific Ministry Program in our District. CHS will partner with Concordia-St. Paul over the next few years to implement more online college courses. And CHS will also be partnering with other entities in the Concordia University System and other districts to make educational programs more accessible to learners throughout Florida and Georgia. If you have any questions about how CHS can assist you in your educational plans, please feel free to contact Dr. Wilke. You can contact him in Orlando locally at 407-857-5556, ext 113, toll free at 877-457-5556, ext. 113, or via e-mail at wwilke@flga-lcms.org. |
