Concordia Nebraska announces retirement of Dr. Mark Blanke, names Dr. Thaddeus Warren as incoming DCE Program Director

by Amy Crawford

Seward, NE (01/25/2024) — Concordia University, Nebraska today announced that university Director of Christian Education (DCE) Program Director Dr. Mark Blanke will retire in June 2024 and will be replaced by Dr. Thaddeus Warren, who currently serves as chair of the university's health and social sciences department and teaches classes in psychology, education and theology.

"At Concordia University, Nebraska we cultivate a community of academic excellence grounded in the Word of God and the Lutheran Confessions with a mission of training our graduates to be salt and light in the home, church and world," said Concordia University, Nebraska Provost Dr. Tim Preuss. "The DCE program, under Dr. Mark Blanke's leadership, has been an excellent example of that mission in action. We are thankful for Mark's capable leadership. We are also blessed that the president of the National Association of Directors of Christian Education (NACDE), Dr. Thad Warren, is already a member of our faculty and is well prepared to assume the leadership of this important program. We look forward to a vibrant future for the DCE program under Thad's leadership."

Blanke CO '82 GR '92 has served at the university for more than 29 years.

"As I approach my retirement in June 2024, I am excited beyond measure about the prospects of a future DCE leadership team made up of Dr. Thad Warren and Professor Amy Hubach," he said. "Concordia's DCE program has prepared more DCEs for The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod than any other synodical institution, has remained the largest of the DCE-certifying institutions for at least the past 30 years, and boasts a curriculum that excels at preparing individuals to serve as lifespan educational leaders for the church. I am excited about the support that the administration has shown for the DCE program and our other professional church work programs. I truly believe that the best years lie ahead for the Concordia Nebraska DCE program."

Amy Hubach '01 has served the university's DCE program since 2020, working alongside Blanke and Warren.

"It seems impossible to think about the DCE program at Concordia Nebraska without Mark Blanke," she said. "I had the opportunity to learn from him as a student in the 1990s, to connect with him as a professional church worker throughout my career was always a joy and to be able to work with him as a colleague has been a highlight in my life. Mark will always be a part of this place and a source of wisdom after retirement. Looking forward, I am excited to partner with Dr. Thad Warren as we continue to raise up and train future DCEs. Our team is united and ready to continue to build the program as we stand on the shoulders of those who have come before us. Our Lutheran identity is strong as we trust in God and His Word to prepare students for team ministry in a congregational setting."

Warren CO '91 GR '96 has a bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree in family education from Concordia Nebraska, as well as a Ph.D. in education from Capella University, which he earned in 2008.

"It has been a distinct pleasure to work alongside Dr. Mark Blanke as he has led the DCE program here and has truly lifted up Christian education and the importance of Christ in the world," said Warren. "What an important task as we continue to watch the moral decay in our world and see the ever more need for all of us in all we do to point to Christ. What a wonderful pleasure it is to have the opportunity to continue this work in service to God and his people. I humbly ask for the prayers of the people of God to lift up, encourage and empower me as I walk alongside Amy in this effort in leading the DCE program."

Warren said he looks forward to working closely with Concordia Nebraska DCE students in this role.

"At the heart of the DCE job is building relationships," he said. "Spending more time modeling, mentoring, and coaching students really energizes me, and I am really looking forward to more time to be able do this. I also look forward to connecting more with Church leaders to continue to lift-up Christian education in our families, churches camps and schools across our church body.

Warren said he is also excited about connecting and partnering with Concordia Nebraska alums who are now serving as DCEs as well as others serving in ministry.

"What an exciting time to be at Concordia, Seward Nebraska as we focus on our Christian, Lutheran identity and as we embrace our strength of knowing Christ's love in all that we do," he said. "The support of the community here and throughout the church is critical as we continue to surround our students with the truth of God's word. It is an honor to be part of an administration that has this vision and is truly working to embrace this vision through a commitment to continuing and building our church work preparation programs."

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