Due to demographic trends, the growth of Lutheran schools, and a shortage of LCMS-trained teachers and commissioned ministers, many Lutheran schools and congregations are hiring more Christian teachers who are not Lutheran or members of an LCMS church. The pastors, lay leaders, and administrators of these schools and congregations, while welcoming these Christian teachers to their teams, are still seeking and desiring their teachers to be instructed and trained in Lutheran doctrine and to learn more about our rich, Lutheran education heritage.

Thus, the LED Project is designed to be a professional and spiritual development program for Lutheran schools who want to teach and train their non-LCMS faculty and staff members the doctrine, heritage, and Christ-centered, educational practices of the LCMS.

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Lutheran Rose

Objectives

  1. Participants will learn, know, and be able to articulate basic Lutheran doctrine.
  2. Participants will be able to apply Lutheran doctrine and teachings in their classroom instruction, co-curriculars, and other interactions with students, colleagues, and parents.
  3. Participants will receive and experience the joy and affirmation of God’s Word from a Lutheran-Christian perspective.
  4. Participants will be able to ask hard questions, reflect on ministry moments, and proactively prepare for classroom and teaching challenges from a Lutheran-biblical perspective.
  5. Participants will experience a highly engaging, relevant, and inspirational classroom setting (in-person or virtual) which will enhance their own faith walk and teaching vocation.

Themes and units

  • Quick History of the Rise of Martin Luther
  • Who is God?
  • Solas of Lutheranism
  • Knowledge of God
  • Origin & Creation of the World
  • Jesus Christ
  • Faith
  • Confession & Absolution
  • Prayer
  • Baptism
  • The Church
  • The Church & Government
  • Eternity
  • Vocation
  • What is a Lutheran?
  • Luther’s Seal
  • Lutheran Teaching
  • Nature of God
  • Sin
  • Redemption
  • Fruits of Faith
  • Law & Gospel
  • Means of Grace
  • The Lord’s Supper
  • The Ministry
  • The End of All Things
  • Sharing & Teaching the Faith

Time, delivery modes, and scheduling

The sessions (listed above) generally take around 12 hours of instruction to complete. However, we have been asked to go deeper and longer on certain sessions too (e.g. “Sharing & Teaching the Faith”)—and that option is available for schools to pursue if interested.

CUW delivers the LED Project in-person or virtually.

Professional development credential

Participants who complete the LED Project will receive a certificate validating their LED program completion. Many Lutheran schools recognize the LED Project for their faculty members’ professional development or continuing education requirements/expectations.

LED contact

If you want to find out more about the program, or desire to begin the training for your non-LCMS faculty and staff, please contact Dr. Jim Pingel, Dean, School of Education via email at james.pingel@cuw.edu or call 262-243-4214.