So what does a DCE do all week? While this is typically a question posed to pastors, it applies to DCEs as well. DCEs are lifespan Christian educators in a congregation so their responsibilities can span all ages from cradle to grave. A congregation member might see a DCE teach on Sunday morning, do youth […]
Introduction For students to excel in church-ministry professions, a specific skill set is required. They need strong interpersonal abilities, which can be acquired through training in communication, leadership, and group dynamics. Within the helping professions, individuals engaging in church work also need to be flexible with robust relational skills. Concordia University Chicago (CUC), part of […]
(Author’s note: Data and demographics were accurate to the best of the author’s knowledge as of the 2016 original publication of this research. Where more recent data were available, it was included.) Introduction Since the 1847 inception of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), as it has been called since 1947, the Synod has been ministering […]
Sixty years is a milestone truly worth celebrating. DCE ministry has come a long way since its early days. Yet, there remain for some of us certain unanswered questions. One of these questions has been the source of much personal contemplation as well as struggle. A benefit of academic life is occasionally having the opportunity […]
A DCE Perspective Leadership is not only about influence, but also about the relationships that exist between the leader and the led (Northouse, 2010). In the church, the model of ministry leadership and followership is exemplified in the gospel narratives about Jesus and His disciples and Jesus, the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53:1-9). Jesus’ model of […]
A Very Abbreviated History This history of DCE ministry provides yet another opportunity to learn of God’s grace and mercy in the life of ordinary individuals pursuing a compelling calling. Hebrews 11 and 12 capture the spirit of this history: it is one long series of enduring and not losing heart. It is “faith in […]
Values and Social-Emotional Development Abraham Maslow contended that after facing issues of survival and safety, humans address additional value and social-emotional needs. These include love and acceptance, leading toward self-actualization. He included acceptance, affection, confidence, self-expression, and creativity as human needs. For many children, these needs may be difficult to fulfill. While, some youth are […]
Growth is a hot topic these days. People talk about growth as and intellectual. Growth as a Christian. Growth in interpersonal skills. Growth in business skills. Sometimes growth and grit are spoken of together. I think the idea is that growth requires grit. It requires persistence. It sometimes requires single-mindedness toward a goal. In the […]
Editor’s Note: In 2014, Mimi Larson successfully defended her dissertation in early childhood education. Her empirical research was done in a preschool classroom of the Concordia Early Childhood Education Center. Her research has been presented at two national conferences: the National Association for the Education of Young Children in November 2015, and the Children’s Spirituality […]