A big part of planning general education for a college is thinking in terms of the OUTCOME we want at the end of the process. So for the January/February Question of the Month, we ask you to think about what kind of person comes out as a graduate of our college. Think NOT in terms of job-specific competencies (like Biblical languages for pastors or pedagogical techniques for teachers). Rather, think in general:
What knowledge, skills and attitudes should ALL graduates of MLC end up acquiring?
- What should every MLC graduate know?
- What should every MLC graduate be able to do?
- What should every MLC graduate have as desirable dispositions or qualities?
Every graduate of MLC should first of all have a very solid foundation in Scripture and application of Scriptural principles. If our called workers are to be spiritual leaders and examples in their congregations, this knowledge should be first and foremost. Beyond this knowledge, all students should have a basic college-level understanding of western heritage and culture. They should also have a basic awareness of world geography and literature. The goal of general classes should be to produce graduates who are well-rounded and obviously educated.
ReplyDeleteIn our current society, it is imperative that called workers are able to use technology to communicate effectively. Interpersonal skills are also vital to the ministries that we will carry out with God's help.
All future called workers need to have a desire to be lifelong learners who take charge of their own personal growth through independent study. The best college experience in the world will still not encompass all the knowledge in the world. As our body of knowledge continues to grow, it becomes more and more important that we grow along with it.
A firm desire to reach all nations. Too often in the WELS circles we sink into the attitude of "taking care of our own" at the expense of opening our arms to the thousands of lost souls around us. Graduates must recognize that in order to share the gospel in our society today, we must be flexible in our approaches to spreading God's word.
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