Product of the System

By Sam Schuldheisz

In 2 Timothy 2:1-2 St. Paul writes to Timothy, "You then, my child, be strengthened by the Grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."

On February 16-21, 2005, the Office of Admission at Concordia Theological Seminary held its first Christ Academy College weekend. Christ Academy College (CAC) was born out of the current Christ Academy for high school men, which takes place annually during the last two weeks of June on the CTS campus. CAC was designed specifically for the college student who has an aspiration to attend seminary in preparation for the Office of Holy Ministry. There were 37 young men from a diverse collection of universities and colleges throughout the United States. Seven of the ten Concordia Universities were represented, in addition to several state and private universities.

Our current culture thrives on the individuality of mankind and prides itself on autonomy and on self-sufficiency. Holy Scripture teaches us that we are a community rather than an individual. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God adopts us as sons and daughters, precious and dear to Him. The blessings of the Father come to us in a community of faithful witnesses. This faithful witness is found in the corporate church, gathered around God's Word and Sacraments. We are a community of believers gathered by God to His altar to receive the blessings of forgiveness and salvation in His very body and blood. Therefore, it is fitting that the CAC weekend was a gathering of Christian brothers from all over the country. While many of them came from a variety of different schools and backgrounds, they share a common goal and desire. This commonality among them is to attend seminary, train to become pastors, and be sent by God into His church to teach and preach the Gospel to a sin darkened world.

The Holy Spirit has blessed His church throughout the centuries with faithful pastors. Paul wrote to Timothy instructing him to entrust the Gospel to faithful men who would then teach others. This is precisely the focus of the CAC weekend. The formation of men for the Office of the Holy Ministry and the proclamation of Christ crucified is a crucial and even daunting task at times. However, the Holy Spirit calls, gathers, and enlightens us in His ways to provide for the church.This year's Christ Academy College proved to be a blessing for both the participants and the entire seminary community. I look forward to future CAC weekends and a chance to meet and greet faithful men who will be entrusted with the Gospel message of life, hope, and salvation.

Watch this publication and the seminary website, www.ctsfw.edu, click on Admission, click on Events, click on CA College, for information on Christ Academy College-2006. You may also e-mail CACollege@mail.ctsfw.edu any time you have questions or would like more info about CAC.

Sam Schuldheisz is a first-year seminarian at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Director of Christ Academy College.