Yesterday was National DCE Day. The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod observes
the day each year as a way of recognizing the ministries of Directors of
Christian Education. DCE’s are
commissioned ministers within the LCMS.
I sorta came into DCE ministry through the side door. I like to joke that I flunked student
teaching, but the truth is God put me exactly where I needed to be. Along with my wife, Barb, I graduated from
Concordia-River Forest in 1969. There
were over twenty calls for DCE's and only two were graduating from the
program. The fact that I had a minor in
youth ministry made me a likely candidate.
In many ways I was one of the round pegs they put into a
square hole; lots of gaps around the edge.
I served four congregations as a parish DCE and then spent two years on
staff with the Texas District. I
finished out my full-time ministry as school counselor at Lutheran High School
of Dallas. In retirement, I am a
writer/consultant equipping others for ministry in this challenging time. I am now, and always have been, proud to say
I am a DCE!
I have had great mentors, starting with Dr. Stephen Schmidt
who headed the youth ministry program at Concordia. Along the way I had fellow DCE’s who came
along side me. During my Northern Illinois
days Larry Brandt, Jack Giles and Mark Diefenthaler come to mind. Since moving to Texas in 1988 I have also
been surrounded by a great support system.
Ron Scherch, Doug Widger, Serena Pace and especially Dave Rahberg come
to mind. On a district level I valued
the ministry of Rev. Bill Ameiss, Dr. Keith Loomans and Paul Krentz.
I have been blessed.
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