Christ Academy-College Continues Successful Tradition

By Sam Schuldheisz

Christ Academy is a tradition unique to Concordia Theological Seminary. It was founded by the Rev. Scott Klemsz, CTS Director of Admission, Public Relations, and Publications, in 1999. He foresaw the change of direction within the upcoming generations of young men— young men who desire to understand the doctrine that they confess as Lutherans, to be encouraged by their home congregation and family in their desire for the Holy Office of the Ministry, and to gather in a community with others of similar pursuits from around the United States.

Scoffers gathered around Christ Academy-H.S. (High School) like kids at a school yard fight, jeering its fusion of a youth summer program with confessional Lutheran teaching; calling it impossible, mundane, and even unrealistic. Unlike other programs, Christ Academy –H.S. is distinctive. At CTS the focus is different. At the center of the Academy is Christ: His teaching, His Word, His theology, His baptized children who come to the seminary to engage in a holy calling, even if just for a brief, two-week time period. Most summer programs in today’s society will use the "shock-and-awe-method" - overpowering the senses with programs and events including little or no substance. Christ Academy is in the world and yet not of the world. Here the Academy teaches young men about Lutheran theology and the reality of Holy Scripture in the daily life of the Christian. They are taught the most practical thing in the world: confessional Lutheran theology. And so, despite the naysayers, Christ Academy–H.S. has flourished throughout the last seven years and will continue, God- willing, in this grand tradition.

The Rev. John Dreyer, CTS Admission Counselor, and the Rev. Klemsz saw a need to continue the tradition of Christ Academy through the college years of young men who had come to CTS to learn, mark, and inwardly digest God’s Word and theology. Therefore, Christ Academy– College (CAC) began in February of 2005. This year had the older brother shoes to fill from the inaugural CAC. To be sure, the second annual CAC did not disappoint. One of the great strengths of CAC has been the ability to attract college men from around the United States enrolled in a variety of programs and universities. This year the Academy saw an increase in young men from state and private schools in addition to the traditional Concordia University system students. One of the unique goals of CAC is to gather these men who are dispersed across the country and bring them together at the seminary to visit classes, engage in theological discussion with the faculty and students, and chiefly to create a bond of fellowship. These men all share a common aspiration to come to the seminary and be formed for the Office of the Holy Ministry; to become Lutheran pastors and be servants of Christ in His body, the Church.

Christ crucified is preached in the chapel, entrusted to our seminarians in the classroom, and confessed in our liturgy, doctrine, and practice. Therefore the main emphasis during CAC was the inseparable character of doctrine and practice. Lutheran theology, both in teaching and in the Divine Service, understands that God in Christ is the gracious gift giver, the one who grows His Church. At seminary we understand this in very tangible forms: the classroom and chapel. In other words, doctrine and practice are connected as they ought to be. Participants in the Academy attended classes taught by a wide array of the seminary faculty, as well as attending services at Kramer Chapel. Lectures were planned specifically for the CAC attendees, and the Office of Matins in the morning and Compline closed the day. Knowing from Holy Scripture that our life is one of prayer and one lived under the cross of Christ, the daily rising and drowning of the old man is reinforced in the baptismal character of the prayer offices.

To conclude the weekend, CAC participants were privileged to attend historic St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, one of The Lutheran Church– Missouri Synod’s founding parishes. It is especially in the Lord’s house where we are taught His Word and receive His body and blood. It is in this Divine Service where God serves man, where man learns what it is that God in Christ did for him. Through preaching, liturgy, word, and sacrament we learn not only what it means to be loved by God, but to have communion with Him and to be forgiven by Him through the holy, innocent, and bitter sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Concordia Theological Seminary will continue to welcome young men to sit at the feet of Luther for a weekend, to immerse themselves in Lutheran theology for a short time and know what it is to be a part of this community. We pray that our Heavenly Father would continue to grow His Church and provide faithful pastors for the spread of His kingdom as the seminary continues to plant and water His harvest (1 Cor. 3:5-10).

Sam Schuldheisz is a second-year student at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and the Student Director of Christ Academy–College.