Concordia University Ann Arbor Directory of Pre-Seminary Rev. Ted Hopkins, PhD gives monthly updates on church work programs including Applied Theology, Biblical Studies, Christian Thought, Family Life Ministry, Lutheran Teaching Diploma, Parish Music, Pre-seminary, Pre-deaconess, and Theological Languages.
The Family Life program at CUAA is changing to focus more on church ministry
Since 2004, CUAA has been training directors of family life ministries (DFLMs) in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and family life educators for a variety of vocations in the world. DFLMs are equipped to strengthen Christian families and congregations through relational ministry, leading and guiding families to stronger faith, and bringing people together from all walks and stages of life. The ministry of DFLMs is just as important today as it was in 2004!
I have taken on the role as director of Family Life Ministry
Together with Professor Joshua Kittleman, we have revised the curriculum to focus on ministry. The program is now called Family Life Ministry (formerly named Family Life Education), and the courses are targeted toward forming students for ministry in Christian congregations, including as rostered, professional church workers in the LCMS.
The new curriculum will form students to minister to the whole family, children, youth, and older adults
Students will receive a solid foundation in Scripture and Christian teachings—and the Lutheran Confessions for LCMS students. Students will learn how to communicate the Gospel, lead devotions, and teach the Bible to proclaim the good news of Jesus crucified and risen for the salvation of the world. They will also learn the practical skills necessary to create congregational programming and lead effective ministries. All of this will be combined with a practicum, internship, and student training experiences (STEPS) that will give the students the hands-on experience they need to be a professional church worker.
At 39 credits, students will have the flexibility they need to pursue a complementary major or minor to help them prepare for professional church work
Some students may want to pursue the theological languages as a pre-deaconess or pre-seminary student while learning about family life ministry as a basis for their future work in the church. Others may pursue business to help them understand the business side of the church. Still others may prefer to beef up their knowledge and skills in education, mission, the Bible, music, or even the sciences. The new Family Life Ministry program is designed to prepare students for congregational ministry while being flexible enough for them to receive the broad experience they want from college.
If you want to learn more about Family Life Ministry, please contact me at Theodore.Hopkins@cuaa.edu or 734-995-7480.
Your partner in the Gospel,
Rev. Ted Hopkins, PhD
CUAA Pre-Seminary Director
Previous CUAA church work updates:
So, you want to become a church worker? Learn more about CUAA’s Church Work programs.
—
If this story has inspired you, why not explore how you can help further Concordia's mission through giving.