# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S43
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
RSTM, through its various training opportunities continues to assist congregations as they look at ways in which they
can remain viable and active in the ministry area they have been
called to serve. One way that we are accomplishing this is to provide resources and leadership training to assist congregations
in considering new models for ministry sensitive to the unique
needs of staffing, distance, properties, governance, scheduling,
ministry priorities, relationships of congregations, and changing demographics of rural and small-town America. RSTM
has also finished a major research project looking at outreach,
assimilation and retention practices of LCMS rural and smalltown congregations. There will also be another research project
focused primarily on missions and mission understanding and
attitudes of RSTM congregations in the coming triennium.
Finally, the RSTM office regularly receives emails and
phone calls seeking various kinds of resources. We either supply
the congregation or pastors with the information/resources they
require or act as a clearinghouse, connecting them with those
who can best meet their needs. We are currently assisting congregations in transitioning into life with a new pastor as well as
providing information and support to all new seminary graduates placed in rural and small-town settings. This individual
attention to the needs of our constituent congregations often
proves to be invaluable, as they seldom have another way to access resources specifically geared toward the unique setting of
the rural and small-town congregations. Because of this, RSTM
frequently receives positive feedback for our assistance and resources.

School Ministry—Dr. Rebecca Schmidt,
Director
In July of 2018, Terry Schmidt former director of School
Ministry, retired and Dr. Rebecca Schmidt was called to serve
as the next director. Currently the position of associate director
is vacant.
During the past triennium, to serve students in 1,954
schools, School Ministry has been involved in the management
of ongoing programs, developed specialized projects, and provided access to resources for districts, congregations, and educators serving Lutheran schools. (Of the 1,954 schools, 1,774
provide programs for early childhood children, 785 provide
programs for elementary students, and 96 provide programs for
high school students.)
National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA) encourages, assists, and recognizes schools that provide quality Christian education and engage in continuous improvement. Currently, 682 schools are accredited through NLSA. The NLSA
Early Childhood Accreditation protocol was revised, tested
with ten BETA schools and released for use for all centers and
schools in 2018. Formal partnerships with regional accrediting
agencies (AdvancED, Consortium for Classical Lutheran Education, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, and
Western Association of Schools and Colleges) provide opportunities for schools to obtain dual accreditation. The rubrics of
identifying exemplary schools and best practices were reviewed
and revised by the NLSA National Accreditation Commission.
Seventeen Schools of Distinction were identified, and eighteen
Powerful Practices were developed into webinars, shared nationwide, and archived on LuthEd.org. Recognizing the importance of pastoral involvement in a Lutheran School, the NLSA

43

School Shepherd Award was developed and awarded annually
to three outstanding pastors during the past triennium.
The School Leadership Development (SLED) project
serves to recruit and prepare the next generation of administrative leaders to serve in Lutheran schools. In 2017, the SLED
project was evaluated and revised to better meet the changing
needs of new administrators. Revisions included connecting the
face-to-face events with an online platform for communication
and course structure and revising the curriculum to reflect practical topics and experiences. During the past triennium, 76 educators were prepared in the SLED program. Additionally, participants are offered the option to take SLED for course credit
through Concordia, Nebraska and Concordia, Wisconsin.
Nine LCMS Leadership Coaches (trained and certified)
continue to serve schools and congregations with the specific
purpose of working with leaders and educators. The partnership between the leadership coach and the educator embraces
the Christian faith and is committed to the highest ethical and
legal standards of the coaching profession.
Lutheran School Consulting Services (LSCS) provides diagnostic services designed to strengthen and revitalize Lutheran
schools in order that the mission of sharing Christ with children
and families is more effectively accomplished. In the past triennium, 32 schools have been served through the assessment and
implementation of improvement plans.
Along with elementary and high schools, School Ministry
serves as an advocate to affirm, equip, and empower leaders and
educators serving in Christ-centered early childhood centers
and schools. Early childhood consultants work with districts
to support the development of high-quality programs. Training
and support for consultants is conducted through monthly conference calls and an annual conference for professional development in the field of early childhood education.
The School Ministry staff continues to develop and distribute resources to schools that enhance the educator’s ability
to serve students and families. Resources include the annual
preparation of Chapel Talks, National Lutheran Schools Week
(NLSW) materials, and the School Ministry Mailing, consisting of 12 monthly articles available each month from September
through May.
The Governing Board Resource for Lutheran Schools was
updated in 2017. In celebration of the 500th anniversary of the
Reformation, resources were developed, including Chapel Talks,
NLSW materials, and the Reformation A–Z Coloring Book
designed for use with schools and congregations. The library
of resources located on LuthEd.org is available for congregations and schools to download free of charge. Additionally, the
School Ministry social media presence on Facebook, Twitter,
Instagram, and Pinterest reaches educators daily.
The following 2016 Convention Resolutions were addressed with the support and involvement of School Ministry:
••

Resolution 8–01A—“To Encourage and Strengthen
the Lutheran Ethos in our LCMS Early Childhood
Centers, Elementary Schools, and High Schools.”
Work with district presidents and education executives is ongoing. See report in Officer, Board, Commission, and Task Force Reports of the Convention
Workbook.

••

Resolution 8–02—“To Recruit and Equip Lutheran
Administrators for Service in Early Childhood Cen2019 Convention Workbook