Lutheran Education

To Nurture the Children's Faith: Faith is nurtured by daily proclamation of the Gospel, teaching children the Word of God and how to read and understand that Word on their own, and by modeling and challenging students to live the Christian faith.

To Strengthen their Communities: Every community needs students who are academically qualified and have learned to practice appropriate morality and respect. Since Lutheran schools accept students from all parts of the community, they can have a strong effect on the community itself.

To Provide a Safe, Caring Place for Children. Unfortunately, in many communities children are not safe. Lutheran schools provide places where children don't have to worry about being attacked verbally or physically. Loving teachers and other staff members daily demonstrate Christ's love for them and their love for children.

To Help Children See All of Their Lives From the Perspective of God's Word. As the Christian faith is integrated into their lives, Christian decision-making and problem solving are facilitated.

To Demonstrate the High Value the Congregation Places on Children. Lutheran schools require a considerable investment of prayers, energy, money and staff. Such an investment by a congregation clearly demonstrates to the community that it places a high value on children, God's beloved little ones.

To Enhance the Public Relations of the Congregation.As the school reaches many segments of the community, the parents who come to the school begin to inquire about the sponsoring congregation. Members frequently ask each other, Does this congregation have a school? But non-member school parents frequently ask the school, "Does this school have a church?" The congregation becomes better known in the community because of the school parents, and the school's marketing efforts.

To Seek Out the Lost: Lutheran schools, which enroll children from all parts of the community, provide new and varied opportunities for evangelism by the congregation and its staff. These opportunities are not available in any other way. That's why Lutheran schools are considered the most effective agencies in congregational evangelism and why pastors of growing congregations with schools in nearly every case, identify the school as the congregation's most effective outreach agency. Eighty-five percent of the fastest growing congregations in the Synod operate schools.

To Strengthen the Congregation:Lutheran schools equip children to become Christian leaders in the congregation. The school also involves young parents in congregation activities more than in congregations without schools. These young parents frequently become new leaders of the congregation. Students are encouraged to become future pastors and teachers, ensuring an ongoing supply of church workers.

To Fulfill the Congregation's Responsibility For the Christian Education of its Children. When the Synod was formed, it became a requirement of synodical membership that congregations would provide Christian education for their children. This was before public schools were available and before Sunday schools were popular. Thus a congregation was expected to operate a Lutheran School if it was to become a member of the Synod. The Great Commission was not given only to parents, but to all members of the church. A current proverb, "It takes a village," reminds congregations that it is their corporate responsibility to provide a Christian education for the children of the congregation.