Highlights

At Christ Academy, we had three classes on Mondays,Wednesdays, and Fridays. These classes were Exegetical, Systematic, and Historical. In the Exegetical class, we had the seminary's professor, Dr. Arthur A. Just Jr., who unlocked the Gospel of Saint Luke. We were able to study the entire life of Christ.

Learning how exegesis happens is an amazing skill, especially when we saw Dr. Just relying solely on his Greek New Testament. In our Systematic Theology class, taught by the Rev. David Kind and Reverend Scott Klemsz, we learned how the doctrine of our church is taken from Scripture.

The Rev. John-Paul Salay taught our Historical Theology class, which was entirely about the history of the liturgy from the early church until the present. Learning how early church worship was centered on Christ enabled us to understand our historic worship practices today.

We had convocation classes with seminary professors on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These classes covered different areas of the church. For example, one was "The Lutheran Church in America," taught by Prof. Lawrence Rast.

We also had choir rehearsal once a day. We sang at the Divine Service during the week at Kramer Chapel on the seminary campus and at historic St. Paul's Lutheran Church on Sunday.

This year, Christ Academy consisted of 24 young men ranging in age from high school freshmen to college freshmen. Living with all 24 men was a great experience for me and for everyone else. We all were very different, but the one common bond between us all was Christ, His Gospel, and our zeal to learn. The multitude of personalities with the common bond was what made fellowship so wonderful.

We all had the opportunity to worship in Kramer Chapel four times a day. We had Matins in the morning at 7:00, the morning office at 9:30, Vespers at 4:00 and Compline in the evening at 10:00. Through praying the offices, our entire day was centered on Christ and the cross; it didn't matter if we were on our way to class, a meal, a service project, the gym, or the dorm-our day was focused on Christ and the gift of the Gospel.

Jeffrey N. Rosebrock is a senior in high school in Holgate, Ohio and attended Christ Academy for a second time this year.

My name is Steven Cholak, and I am beginning my studies leading to the Holy Ministry this fall. I began working for the Office of Admission on a unique project that I had never heard of before. This project, called Christ Academy, brings high school-aged men to our campus to study theology for two weeks during the summer. The young gentlemen that have participated the past two years went to class during the day, prayed with the seminary community, had activities, played sports, and even went to the Cedar Point Amusement Park one day. "What a program!" I thought. It would be interesting to be involved and to see how the students adapt to the intensive two-week program.

It was, and continues to be, very exciting to me that there is a program that exists for high school young men who are interested in the ministry, for it was in high school that I decided that I wanted to attend seminary. It is for this reason that I am extremely excited that high schoolers now have this opportunity to learn about the church and the Holy Ministry.

This was the second year of the Christ Academy and both years the academy has been a huge success. As the dorm resident assistant this year, I greeted the new students on their first day and lived in the dorm with them. Boy was I in for a ride of my life! Twenty-four young men from 14 states and one from England influenced and educated everyone with whom they came into contact.

The participants had many different personalities and mannerisms, all of which blended together very nicely to form this year's academy. We ended up with a great group-a unique group of gentlemen with theology on their minds.

The week was structured around three core classes: Exegetical-focusing on the gospel of Luke, Historical -focusing on the liturgy and Christology, and Systematics-focusing on the Catechism. The classes were geared to these young men and many questions were asked, answered, and discussed. The off days were scheduled with convocations focusing on the pastoral ministry; vestments; men and women in the church; and Moses and the Old Testament.

We spent afternoons in fun activities like playing Capture the Flag and Ultimate Frisbee. We debated issues, had discussions, and played cards. Overall, it was a great two weeks with much being accomplished. Work has begun on next year's academy and everyone involved is excited and willing to give to this great program. To all those participants of this year's academy, it was a joy to have you and God bless your year!

Steve Cholak is a first-year seminarian who just graduated from Concordia University in River Forest with a degree in Exercise Science and Fitness Management.