# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S292 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 292 PARISH SERVICES AND YOUTH Director of Family Life Education is a member of the League board. The board plans and executes the annua! convention workshop, prepares and distributes local program materials, is in the process of renewing relationships with the District education committees, and is offering the Districts a cooperative program for parent education retreats. The Lutheran Women's Missionary League inaugurated a 2-year project titled “Strengthening the Home Through Com- munication.” This project is being carried out in 24 2-day regional workshops. Participants from parishes take a look at themselves from God's point of view, and study the effect of interpersonal behavior. The Board of Parish Education supplied personnel resources for the initial planning and the pilot regional and maintains a working relationship with the regional family life consultants. VII. THE BOARD OF PARISH EDUCATION IS COMMITTED TO LUTHERAN ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS Four Issues Through statements and actions during its entire 125-year history, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod has consistently indicated its commitment to full-time Christian education at the elementary and secondary levels. The Board of Parish Educa- tion has accepted this commitment as its own and through its School Department has provided leadership toward translating this commitment into God-pleasing action on a high profes- sional level. Lutheran elementary and secondary schools face four issues of major importance: (1) Strengthening Morale: (2) Performing Quality; (3) Intensifying Commitment; (4) Developing Outside Relationships. Issue I: Strengthening Morale The Issue High morale, a positive school spirit, is essential to successful Lutheran school Operation. One basic ingredient of morale is a healthy Christian internal staff relationship. A program for the development of high morale includes the need for the faculty to: —restudy the teaching mission of the church and the purposes of Lutheran schools —realize the far-reaching potential of their teaching ministry —develop a committed and unified team ministry involving the total staff including pastor(s) and teachers —see evidence of appreciation for their ministry in whole- hearted support and encouragement at local, District, and synodical levels —study Scripture and worship together in a climate dominated by a deep faith and filled with human understanding and trust. How the Board Has Confronted the Issue The role of the Board of Parish Education is to aid Lutheran elementary and secondary schools as they confront the issues delineated above. In the area of strengthening morale, the Board has engaged in these activities: —publication of a quarterly Newsletter for elementary and secondary schools (free) and a Lutheran Secondary School Bulletin ona subscription basis ~declaration of May 1, 1973, as National Lutheran Teacher Appreciation Day —publication of guidelines for the development of equitable salary schedules which attempt to avoid sex discrimination of Lutheran Secondary Schools ~initiation of a program which provides specific training for Christian educators in human relations skills —preparation of study materials to aid the educator in seeing his or her role as a leader in mission and ministry (Patterns of Performance, 1972 — 1973) ~exploration of the possible inclusion of women on the teaching roster of the Synod — personnel services involving teacher placement and teacher transfer, and encouragement for the development of new and additional ministries. Issue II: Performing Quality The Issue Poor educational programs have no right to exist merely on the merit that religion is included in the curriculum. Therefore the emphasis on quality education is a continuing need. Satis- fying human relationships between teachers and pupils and be- tween pupils and their peers are essential ingredients of quality. Schools that are serious about increasing the quality of their educational programs and human relationships must give un- relenting attention to: — organized in-service study of the curriculum and implementa- tion of curricular improvements —planned experimentation with methodology, technology, and varieties of materials ~balanced and organized staffing with provisions for formal and informal continuing education ~ professional participation in conferences and workshops ~accountability for the effectiveness of the tota] program — ongoing attention to the needs of each pupil as an individual — teaching of the faith in a way to make religion a power in the life of the student How the Board Has Confronted the Issue — publication of Patterns of Performance elementary in-service study materials for the fifth consecutive year —annual distribution of packets of administrative aids (Admin- istrator’s Kit) to all elementary and secondary school princi- pals, and administrative materials developed by Lutheran high schools to secondary administrators — Preparation and distribution of school bulletins treating topics such as the development of learning centers, budget planning, early childhood education, the beginning teacher, and others —Pparticipation in conferences and workshops including con- ference papers — individualized services to schools and groups of schools, such as school surveys and program evaluations — gathering and analysis of school Statistics —professional articles for Lutheran Education. Interaction. and other journals —yearly updating of the Curriculum Guide for Lutheran Ele- mentary Schools and the Instructional Materials Guide —utilization of the data collection of Youth Research Center to analyze research data regarding the effectiveness of full-time Lutheran education —plans for training workshop leaders who can aid teachers and parents in developing adult-child human relations skills —new in-service education materials for faculty study during the 1973—74 school year, titled “Performing Our Patterns” Issue III: Intensifying Commitment The Issue Christian schools can flourish only as long as their supporters are unequivocally committed to them. Commitment includes financial support. A commitment to support Lutheran schools must therefore be an inherent part of a person’s commitment to the purpose and spirit of Lutheran schools. An increased willing- ness toward sacrificial and faithful support is necessary on the part of clergy, teachers, directors of Christian education, lay- men, lay women, young people, and the old. The church’s best thinking must be utilized to: —develop congregational stewardship programs directly re- lated to Christian education purposes and programs —establish good communication and public relations in the congregation and with the general public —Sset up committees to probe and implement creative funding ideas, seeking support from sources in and outside the church —continue efforts to obtain public aid in keeping with synod policy and with state and federal laws —give full account for the support that is received. How the Board Has Confronted the Issue — Patterns of Performance and Bulletin materials address them- selves to the issue of commitment —advisory services are being provided for new school planning, consolidation, and secondary program expansion