Musings on Lutheran Schools in the 21st Century

The prophet’s perspective

What adjectives would you use to

describe this portrayal of Jeremiah the

Prophet?

From Merriam-Webster:

– a prolonged lamentation or complaint

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

History’s perspective

Yesterday and

Today

What has changed and

what has stayed the

same?

How do we get back to where we were?

Do we reinvent or revitalize?

History does not teach us how to tread

challenging paths more wisely but what

paths to avoid.

The critical perspective

Not worth the cost when we have public schoolsAbsolves parents of too much responsibilitySchools are not outreachLES children are not challenged to be “salt and

light”LES cannot offer important “extras”LES education does not insure church faithfulness“Familiarity breeds contempt” syndromeDemographics

The Reformer’s perspective

O my beloved Germans, buy while the market is at your door; gather in the harvest while there is sunshine and fair weather; make use of God’s grace and word while it is there! For you should know that God’s word and grace is like a passing shower of rain which does not return where it has once been.

LW 45:352

It is highly necessary, therefore, that we take some positive action in this matter before it is too late; not only on account of the young people, but also in order to preserve both our spiritual and temporal estates. If we miss this opportunity, we may perhaps find our hands tied later on when we would gladly attend to it, and ever after have to suffer in vain the pangs of remorse. LW 45:371-2

But if children were instructed in schools, or wherever learned and well-trained schoolmasters and schoolmistresses were available to teach the languages, the other arts, and history, they would then hear of the doings and sayings of the entire world, and how things went with various cities, kingdoms, princes, men and women. (cont.)

Thus, they could in a short time set before themselves as in a mirror the character, life, counsels, purposes – successful and unsuccessful – of the whole world from the beginning ; on the basis of which they could then draw the proper inferences and in the fear of God take their own place in the stream of human events. LW 45:368-9

I would advise no one to send his child where the Holy Scriptures are not supreme. Every institution that does not unceasingly pursue the study of God’s word becomes corrupt. LW 44:207

If I could leave the preaching office and my other duties, or had to do so, there is no other office I would rather have than that of schoolmaster or teacher. For I know that next to that of preaching, this is the best, greatest, and most useful office there is. LW 46:253

When schools flourish, then things go well and the Church is secure. . . . The youth furnish recruits for the Church, they are the source of its well-being. . . . God preserves the Church through schools, and schools are the conservatories of the Church. They may not have a fine appearance, but within they are most useful and necessary.

Kretzmann, Luther on Education, 93

Why was Luther

passionate about

Christian education?

Caution’s perspective

How do we attract students to our schools?

Why are parents and students attracted to our schools?

Is there any subtle shift in the mission of our schools?

Is the school more private than parochial?Is the vision for the school more

“glorious” than is consistent with the cross?

Encouragement’s perspective

Be passionate about the Passion!

Evaluation on Display

• Model of Repentance and Faith

• A Christian Teacher, Who Teaches a Wide Range of

Subjects

What is distinctive

about Lutheran

education?

The teacher’s perspective

The chief and most consistent factor in the success of a classroom is the attitude of the teacher.

Jesus and the Personal Touch

“Let the little

children come to

me.”

Your attitude should be the same as Christ Jesus . . . .

Do I love teaching? Do I love my role as a teacher? Why . . . or why not?

Which aspects of teaching to a particularly enjoy? Which do I dislike?

Am I a different person in the classroom than I am in other school settings?

Am I a very different person at home than I am in the school setting?

What attitudes are students learning from me?Why do I teach?What is the purpose/mission of the school I

represent?

Does my attitude encourage students to follow in my footsteps? Put another way: Does my example encourage students to devote themselves to full-time service to the church?

Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Brothers, sisters, let us gladlyGive to God our all, our best –Service hearty, thorough, honestWith a living love impressed.All our duty, all our striving,All our time to him belong;Praise him, then, with true devotion;

Come before him with a song.CW 484

Gracious Lord, accept our serviceFor the sake of Christ, your Son;Lo, our hope abides now onlyIn the righteousness he won.Bless and save us; help and guide us;

Watch to comfort and restoreTill in heav’n we rest rejoicingPraising you forevermore.CW 484

The gospel’s perspective

As our schools go, so goes our Synod.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope that we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Elijah and the “Still, Small

Voice”

The Rich Man and Lazarus

“Well done, good and faithful servant!”