Archives for December 2025

                             A screenshot from the 2025 online conference

The Global Theological Education Commission (GTEC) of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference is hosting an online conference for theological educators on Friday, January 30, 2026.

The two-hour conference has the following agenda:

• Opening Devotion by Prof. Skip Goetzinger (20 minutes)
• Presentation by Prof. Paul Waldschmidt on Direct Instruction (40 minutes)
• Discussion in breakout groups (40 minutes)
• Closing Devotion by Prof. Thomas Nass (20 minutes) 

Here is a description of the presentation by Prof. Waldschmidt:

Direct Instruction: The shortest distance between two places is a straight line. In a classroom, the shortest path to knowledge acquisition is for the teacher to simply tell the students what they need to know. That is direct instruction. But what sounds simple can be difficult to accomplish in ways that promote student attention and ultimately, retention of course content. In this presentation, we will define direct instruction and discuss how it differs from lecture. We will focus on the importance of direct instruction as one of the tools in our teaching toolbox. Finally, we will demonstrate strategies for you to incorporate direct instruction into your lesson design.

The conference begins at 6:00 am CST and ends at 8:00 am CST. This means that the conference will occur in the afternoon in Europe and Africa, and in the evening in Asia. We realize that theological educators have busy schedules and may be unable to attend. At the same time, we sincerely hope that many theological educators will join us and that they will encourage their colleagues to do the same. Let’s spur one another on in the blessed work the Lord has given us to do.

Registration for the GTEC Online Conference will be open January 2–9, 2026. The registration link has been sent by email to all theological educators in our GTEC database. If you would like to attend and did not receive the email with the link, please contact GTEC Chairman Bradley Wordell at brad.wordell@wls.edu. The conference is open to all theological educators who serve in confessional Lutheran church bodies that are affiliated with the CELC.

The Global Theological Education Commission (GTEC) of the CELC is made up of the following members:

• Brad Wordell, WELS representative, chairman
• Thomas Nass, CELC president, ex officio
• Tim Schmeling, ELS reresentative
• Skip Goetzinger, WELS representative, advisory
• Andrés San Martín Arrizaga, Latin America representative
• Holger Weiss, Europe representative
• Anthony Phiri, Africa representative
• Angus Cheung, Asia-Oceania representative

P.S. Please note that there are other opportunities besides this conference for CELC theological educators to interact in 2026. At the end of May/beginning of June, there is the CELC triennial convention in Lusaka. Also, from June 15–26, 2026, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary will host an in-person Summer Quarter in Mequon, Wisconsin, USA. Scholarship monies are available to help cover the costs of tuition and travel for international pastors and professors. WLS also offers three seasons (Spring, Summer, and Fall) of online courses through Grow in Grace. Because those courses are mostly asynchronous, they work well for pastors who want to participate from anywhere in the world.

Submitted by Prof. Bradley Wordell, Chairman of GTEC

 Isaiah 11:10 – In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples;
the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.

In ancient warfare, the “banner” or “standard” was very important. As a combatant, you would always rally to the banner. It showed where you belonged. When the banner advanced, you would advance; when the banner retreated, you would retreat.

In Isaiah 11:10—a common Advent text—the prophet Isaiah speaks about the coming Messiah as a “banner” or “standard.” The Messiah, referred to as “the Root of Jesse,” will be like a flag or ensign, to which people will rally.

And when people rally to him, they will find a “resting place” that will be “glorious.” As New Testament Christians, we think about how Jesus gives us rest from the guilt and punishment of sin. We who deserve nothing but God’s anger and punishment are forgiven of all sin through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus in our place. We have rest for our souls here on earth, and the promise of eternal rest in heaven forever.

But who will rally to this banner? Will the Root of Jesse rally the Old Testament Israelites? No, Isaiah says that he will “stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him.”

Isaiah 11:10 is one of many Old Testament prophecies that predict the worldwide extent of the New Testament Church under the Messiah. The saving work of Jesus is for all nations—for every human being in every country in every age. No one is excluded.

When I see passages like this, I think of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference. In our association, God has gathered believers from over thirty different countries of the world, from six different continents. It is wonderful to behold the variety of people gathered into our fellowship, in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.

Still, more wonderful is what we all receive from the Root of Jesse. In Christ, we have found “a resting place” that is “glorious.” We have the forgiveness of our sins.

May the Lord richly bless your Christmas celebration as you celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus!

From CELC President Thomas Nass, on behalf of the CELC Planning Committee

P.S. Registration for the 2026 International Convention in Zambia will open on January 1. If you are interested in attending and have not received an email invitation, please contact me at president@celc.info.