School of Arts and Sciences
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Department of Theology
Director of Church Ministries Certificate
Explore theological topics that help you gain a deeper understanding of the Christian faith and equip you to better serve in the Church.
Dig into the depths of theology
Let’s talk about breaking tradition. Not holiday traditions. Not even worship traditions. We’re talking about education. Maybe you’ve already gone the typical four-year, full-time, on-campus route. Maybe you’ve never attended college. Regardless, now you are passionate about pursuing collegiate-level instruction in theology… but the traditional path isn’t for you. Through this certificate program, you’ll get to learn from some of the best theology faculty in The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod online!
Credits
47
Cost Per Credit
$330
Careers
- Director of Ministries
- Outreach Coordinator
- Family and Youth Director
Program Overview
Explore theological topics that help you gain a deeper understanding of the Christian faith and equip you to better serve in the Church with theological training at Concordia.
The online ministry certification program consists of seventeen courses, all of which taken online. Courses are offered in a cohort format, with a new cohort beginning every Spring. Each course is eight weeks in length, allowing you to take three consecutive courses in a single semester. Please note that your first course and twelfth course are taken in a virtual format allowing you to connect with peers in your cohort.
What to Expect
Theological training is not a traditional degree, and is just as unique as you. Our hope is to provide you with the basic Christian accelerated education that fits your individual interests and needs.
The Director of Church Ministries (DCM) certificate is especially helpful for the person already working in a congregation, who lacks credentials in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. For those of you who aren’t interested in a certificate, but just want to learn, you are free to complete as much of this program as you desire.
There are three levels within the program:
- Level 1: Foundations for Service, 16 credits
- Level 2: Practice in Service, 31 credits
- Level 3: Commissioned Minister of Religion - Director of Church Ministries (DCM) , 47 credits
If you have a bachelor’s degree, you will be eligible for certification after completing all levels of the program. If you do not have a bachelor’s degree, you are welcome to take all of these courses, but you will not receive certification. Do you fall into the latter category, but still want to be certified? You can earn your Bachelor’s through our online theological studies major as you complete this certification.
Hear from our faculty:
Licensure / Certifications
Students with a B.A. degree who have completed this certificate program and are a current member of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod will receive certification. Students may be eligible to receive a called position in a congregation or recognized service organization of the church and may be eligible to be placed on the roster of the synod as a "Commissioned Minister of Religion - Director of Church Ministries (DCM)."
Locations
- Online
How to Apply
- Submit your Non-Degree online application
- We help guide you through: You will receive communication from your helpful Admission Counselor about the Theology Department DCM application for Levels 1-2 or for the full Level 3, how to submit supplemental materials, and the necessary references and background check (required for Level 3 only).
- Review entrance requirements and submit admissions pieces:
- Official transcripts
- Department application
- Notify references of sent by CUW Admissions
- Acceptance! When your application file is complete, it will be reviewed by the department and you will be notified of entrance status.
- Schedule Advising Appointment: Once admitted, you may schedule to meet with your Academic & Career Advisor who will review your degree plan, discuss orientation steps and the CUW student portal, and assist with registering for classes.
- Since non-degree students are no eligible for federal financial aid, the tuition rate has been reduced, however students should investigate financial assistance through their church and/or LCMS district office.
Brian T. German
Department Chair - Theology, Associate Professor
Phone: (262) 243-4236
Bio
Brian German is Associate Professor of Theology and Director of the Concordia Bible Institute. His main area of research is the history of biblical interpretation.
Education
- Ph D - Old Testament, Wycliffe College (Toronto School of Theology) (2014)
- M Div - Exegetical Theology, Concordia Theological Seminary (2010)
- BA - Pre-Seminary Studies, Concordia University Wisconsin (2006)
Contributions
- German, B. (2021). "The Church of All Ages in Luther's Lectures on Genesis". (3 ed.,vol. 55,pp. 21-24). Lutheran Forum.
- German, B. (2020). "Luther on the Fulfillment of the Law". (1-2 ed.,vol. 84,pp. 83-100). Concordia Theological Quarterly.
- German, B. (2019). "“Malachi (Book and Person), Christianity"." Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its Reception. (vol. 17). Berlin: de Gruyter.
- German, B. (2018). "Sola Scriptura in Luther's Translations". (3-4 ed.,vol. 82,pp. 197-212). Concordia Theological Quarterly.
- German, B. (2018). Chapel Sermon - Jer. 15:15-21. (1 ed.,vol. 5,pp. 89-92). Mequon, WI: Concordia Theological Journal.
Presentations
- German, B. (2017). "Dancing with the Old Testament in the Lectionary". Keynote/Plenary Address. South Wisconsin District Pastors' Conference. Wisconsin Dells.
- German, B. (2017). "Luther's 'Christ in Every Word': What Does This Mean?". Keynote/Plenary Address. South Wisconsin District Pastors' Conference. Wisconsin Dells.
- German, B. (2016). "Fine-Tuning 'Christ in Every Word': Reflections on Psalm 8". Keynote/Plenary Address. Tri-Circuit Meeting of LCMS pastors. Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Sheboygan, WI.
- German, B. (2016). "Law and Gospel with Implications for Parish Nurses". Lecture. (Video Lecture).
Research Interests
- Christ in the Old Testament
- Lutheran Hermeneutics
Teaching Interests
- Biblical Books
- Biblical Hebrew
Nathan Jastram
PhD, MDiv, BA
Professor
Office: Luther Hall 203D
Phone: (262) 243-4290
Bio
Nathan Jastram, professor of theology, is a member of the international team of scholars who published first editions of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Education
- Ph D - Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, Harvard University (1990)
- M Div - Exegetical Theology, Concordia Theological Seminary (1984)
- BA - Classics, University of South Dakota (1980)
Research Interests
- Dead Sea Scrolls
- Image of God
Teaching Interests
- Old Testament
- Messianic Prophecies
Jason D. Lane
Dr. Theol., S.T.M., M.Div., B.A.
- Rouse Endowed Chair, Associate Professor
Office: Luther Hall LU 203 G
Phone: (262) 243-2059
Bio
Dr. Lane joined the Theology Faculty of Concordia in 2013 after serving as pastor of Celebration Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, FL (2010-2013). He earned his B.A. in Psychology from Framingham State College in Massachusetts (2001) and received his M.Div. and S.T.M. degrees from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN (2007 and 2010). He received his doctorate in Historical Theology at the University of Hamburg, Germany, under Johann Anselm Steiger in 2015. His dissertation, "Luther's Epistle of Straw: The Voice of St. James in Reformation Preaching" is available from De Gruyter Publishing (Berlin, 2018).
Education
- ThD - The History of Church and Dogma, Universität Hamburg (2015)
- M Div - Systematic Theology, Concordia Theological Seminary (2007)
- BA - Cognitive Psychology, Framingham State College (2001)
- STM - Systematic Theology, Concordia Theological Seminary (2010)
Contributions
- Lane, J. (2022). Pastor Craft: Essays and Sermons. By John T. Pless. Irvine, CA: New Reformation Publications, 2020. 539. . (2 ed.,vol. 86,pp. 177-178). Fort Wayne, IN: Concordia Theological Quarterly.
- Lane, J. (2022). Philologia Sacra und Auslegung der Heiligen Schrift: Studien zum Werk des lutherischen Barocktheologen Salomon Glassius (1593-1656). By Armin Wnez. Berlin: De Gruyter, 2020. 894pp. . (2 ed.,vol. 86,pp. 180-183). Fort Wayne, IN: Concordia Theological Quarterly.
- Lane, J. (2019). "Sanctification as Divine Order or Divine Gift? Simon Musaeus (1521-1576) and Simon Pauli (1531-1591) on New Obedience." In Joshua C. Miller, John T. Pless, and Roland Ziegler (Ed.), Promising Faith for a Ruptured Age: An English-Speaking Appreciation of Oswald Bayer. (pp. 66-93). Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock Publishers.
- Lane, J. (2019). "Christianity." In Wayne Palmer (Ed.), The Christian Difference. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House.
- Lane, J. (2018). "Luther's Epistle of Straw: The Voice of St. James in Reformation Preaching." In Lutz Danneberg (Ed.), Historia Hermeneutica Series Studia. (vol. 16,pp. 252). Berlin: De Gruyter. https://www.degru...
Presentations
- Lane, J. (2021). The Soteriological Interpretation of the Creation of Woman in the Sixteenth Century. Paper. Sixteenth Century Society and Conference. San Diego, CA.
Research Interests
- The history of biblical interpretation, especially from the Reformation to Modern Age.
- Doctrine and Piety in the early modern age
Teaching Interests
- Dogmatic Theology
- Great Books of Western Canon
Aaron Moldenhauer
Ph.D., M.A., S.T.M., M.Div., B.A.
Dean - Interim - School of Arts and Sciences, Assistant Professor
Office: Luther Hall 203 I
Phone: (262) 243-4383
Education
- Ph D - Religious Studies, Northwestern University (2019)
- M Div - Exegetical Theology, Concordia Theological Seminary (2005)
- MA - Religious Studies, Northwestern University (2016)
- BA - Liberal Arts, Martin Luther College (2000)
- Historical Theology, Concordia Theological Seminary (2012)
Contributions
- Moldenhauer, A. Review of Rittgers, Ron. A Widower's Lament.. (pp. 2). Fides et Historia.
- Moldenhauer, A. (2023). A Lutheran Perspective on the Filioque. (2 ed.,vol. 87,pp. 151-172). Fort Wayne, IN: Concordia Theological Quarterly. http://www.ctsfw....
- Moldenhauer, A. (2023). Review of Jc Beall, The Contradictory Christ. (pp. 2). American Academy of Religion: Reading Religion. https://readingre...
- Moldenhauer, A. (2022). "The Reformation." In Michael Haykin (Ed.), The Essential Lexham Dictionary of Church History. (pp. 4). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press. https://lexhampre...
Research Interests
- Medieval and Reformation Theology
- Martin Luther
Teaching Interests
- Systematic Theology
- Historical Theology
Daniel Paavola
Ph.D.
Professor
Office: Luther Hall Luther 203C
Phone: 4446
Bio
Daniel Paavola teaches in theology, especially in the New Testament. He also teaches in the areas of preaching and congregational teaching. He grew up on a Minnesota farm and enjoys motorcycles, antique cars and running.
Education
- Ph D - New Testament Exegesis, Concordia Seminary (2004)
- M Div - New Testament Exegesis, Concordia Theological Seminary (1983)
- BA - English, Moorhead State University (1979)
- New Testament Exegesis, Princeton Theological Seminary (1984)
Research Interests
- The Lord's Prayer
- Biblical Themes
Teaching Interests
- New Testament Gospels, especially Mark and Luke
- The Letters of the Apostle Paul
Steven Smith
Campus Pastor, Assistant Professor
Jason R. Soenksen
Professor
Phone: (262) 243-4412
Education
- Ph D - History of Biblical Interpretation , Hebrew Union College (2010)
Contributions
- Soenksen, J. (2013). "Interpreting the Speaker of the Text: Homeric Scholarship and the Fathers and Luther on Psalms." Ad Fontes Witebergenses .
Presentations
- Soenksen, J. (2022). Now and Then: Luther’s Critique of Jewish and Traditional Christian Exegesis in His Minor Prophets Lectures . Paper. Sixteenth Century Studies Conference . Minneapolis.
- Soenksen, J. (2022). The Mountain and the Messiah: Modern and Patristic Exegesis of Micah 4:1—4 and 5:2—4 (MT 5:1—3). Paper. Concordia Seminary Theological Symposium. St. Louis .
Kurt Taylor
Program Director - Church Ministries, Associate Professor
Harald G. Tomesch
Ph. D.
Professor
Office: Luther Hall LU 203E
Phone: (262) 243-2711
Bio
Dr. Harald Tomesch is a veteran professor in the CUS system since 1987. In 2014 Dr. Tomesch was advanced to Full Professor at Concordia University Wisconsin. In his career Dr. Tomesch taught biblical Greek and in a world renown scholar for the Book of Hebrews. In 2005-2008 Dr. Tomesch was President of Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. In his ministry he began three mission congregations and two Lutheran elementary schools. He was also part of the business community holding multiple patents and years of experience in manufacturing and hiring CUW students in Wisconsin. His pastor ministry celebrates a milestone of 41 years in 2022.
Education
- ThD - New Testament Studies, Concordia Seminary (1994)
- BA - Biblical Languages, Concordia University Wisconsin (1979)
- Exegetical Theology, Brock University (1981)
- Old Testament Studies, University of Toronto (1987)
Research Interests
- Dating of the Gospels
- Structure of the Book of Hebrews
Teaching Interests
- Book of Hebrews
- New Testament