LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 49

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

PARISH, YOUTH, AND COMMUNICATION SERVICES

foundations, as well as insight into the practical application of
these foundations and the truths of the Holy Scriptures.

Early childhood publications and programs are coordinated
with the Department of Early Childhood Education of the
Lutheran Education Association. Membership is also held in
several national organizations with regional and national
program involvement.

C. Him We Proclaim—for Children and Youth

The number of Lutheran schools open to children and youth
of our churches and communities is increasing. Following are
pertinent 1981—82 elementary and secondary school statistics
compared with 1979—80 statistics:

Elementary (includes preschool programs):
Schools—1,479 reported (increase of 152); in addition
approximately 120 schools did not report
Sponsoring congregations—1,888 (increase of 144)
Pupils—175,185 (increase of 15,165); add about 6,000 in
nonreporting schools
Secondary (includes only community Lutheran high
schools:
Schools—i9 (increase of 1)
Students—16,150 (increase of 487)
Sponsoring congregations—1,009
The greatest growth in LCMS schools continues at the early
childhood level (33%). The increase in new early childhood
schools, as well as the growth of early childhood programs in

_existing schools, has also led to an increase of lower elementary

\

grade enrollments. Elementary and secondary enrollments
increased at a rate of 4.5% and 3.1% respectively in the last

_ biennium.

Lutheran school feasibility studies and planning commit-
tees are currently meeting in numerous areas of the country. In

“these congregations and communities the desire of parents and

others is to provide programs of full-time Christian education
in their congregation and community. Increasing numbers of
parents are exhibiting concern for the development of their
children’s life-styles, values, character, and spiritual life.

The BPS school staff continues to assist District and local
congregation personnel by providing leadership services in
observation and evaluation of school programs; presentations
at teacher, principal, and board workshops and conferences;
guidance and feasibility study committees; aid in goal clarifi-
cation and training of District consultants. Other leadership
services are included in accompanying sections of this report.

Materials are developed and made available to equip the
church’s educational leaders to move forward effectively and
for the God-given purposes. Some of the materials aimed at
meeting a variety of school needs produced and distributed on
a regular basis are “Insights and Ideas,” “Preschool Devo-
tions,” “Alight,” and the Lutheran Secondary Schools
Quarterly.

D. Him We Proclaim—in School Mission, Evangelism
and Witnessing Relationships

Lutheran school doors are open, not only to children of all
__races, colors, and ethnic origins, but also and especially to the
unchurched. Non-Lutherans have been welcomed into Lu-
theran school classrooms throughout the history of the church.
Of children enrolled in the elementary and secondary schools
during the 1981—82 school year, 50.9% are members of the
sponsoring congregations, 30.5% are members of non-Lutheran

_churches, and 8.7% claim no church membership. These sta-

tistics clearly show that Lutheran schools are an effective
agency in witnessing God’s grace in Jesus Christ as “Him We
Proclaim.”

‘Lutheran parishes continue to find that evangelism and
mission efforts can be successful in the inner city with whites

\ and nonwhites. Of the persons gained by such congregations,
--80—90% are reported to have been gained as a direct result of

the Lutheran school. Some pastors have expressed the convic-
tion that their parish’s school is a primary means by which
new members are added to their parishes. When survival is the
only objective of a parish, it flounders and lacks direction.

---Service needs to be a key objective, and parishes serving

through mission and evangelism efforts find the Lutheran

49

school a valuable vehicle to fulfill their mission of proclaiming
Jesus Christ.

In cooperation with the Synod’s Board for Evangelism
Services, a booklet, Lutheran Schools: Opportunity for Mis-
sion, has been published. This booklet continues to be an
excellent resource for practical ideas of evangelism through
the Lutheran school as well as a source to provide the rationale
for Lutheran schools as agencies of evangelism.

The school staff is also a partner in the Board for
Evangelism Services program of ‘““Teacher Witness” work-
shops. A committee has been appointed to develop resources
and procedures to help teachers become sensitive to the unique
opportunities to proclaim Jesus Christ in the day-to-day school
setting.

The school staff coordinates its program with the appropri-
ate departments of the Lutheran Education Association and
the Associationof Luthean Secondary Schools.

Close relationships are maintained with 14 other private
school systems through membership in the Council for Ameri-
can Private Education. Contacts continue with other national
groups concerned about education, as well as with the United
States Office of Education, the National Institute of Education,
the National Center for Educational Statistics, and other
organizations, groups, and individuals in legislative and
administrative branches of the federal government.

In coordination with Synod's legal counsel and other
departments the school staff has monitored legislation which
could affect Lutheran schools and their distinctive mission of
proclaiming Christ. Some issues involved include tuition tax
credits, tax-exempt status for schools deliberately segregating
on the basis of race, and Internal Revenue Service procedures.

E. Him We Proclaim—Through Lutheran Teachers
in Ministry

During the 1981—82 school year 2,543 men and 6,559
women were teaching full- or part-time in the early childhood

and elementary classrooms of the church (up 1,157 from 1979— |

80). In addition there were a total of 1,229 full- and part-time
secondary teachers. The total number of teachers was 10,331.
During this time the number of available candidates from th
Synod’s teachers colleges has decreased, making it increas-
ingly difficult for congregations and associations to secure
synodically trained teachers in sufficient numbers. An all-out —
church worker recruitment effort continues to be needed. A
continuing need exists for increased numbers of minority
teachers to reflect the ethnic background of the children and
youth being served in Lutheran schools. The School Depart-
ment continues to serve Districts by aiding them in the
development of teacher candidate lists. The School Depart-
ment also serves teachers interested in considering a new
ministry with new challenges.

Lutheran teachers bring God’s Word to children and their
parents. Through leadership by servanthood, teachers have
unique opportunities and access to homes, to the community
and to the church. Their opportunities for ministry are numer-
ous. Lutheran teachers can confidently say, ‘Him We Pro-
claim,” for the Holy Spirit truly works through them as they
bring the Word to many and as the Holy Spirit works faith
through the Word.

Dr. Martin Luther’s high regard for teachers is evident from
his remark made in September 1540 when he said, ‘“‘IfI were not
a preacher, I do not know of any position on earth that I would
rather have than that of a schoolmaster. But one must not look
at how the world rewards and regards it but at how God will
consider and praise it on that Day.”

F. Him We Proclaim—Through “Project Serve”’

“Project Serve’ is the result of several years of assessment
and planning by Lutheran church body educational leaders.
Our BPS Planning for Lutheran Elementary Schools and
Planning for Lutheran High Schools series were a big success
in aiding Lutheran administrators and governing congrega-
tions. However, more was needed. The outcome—the LCMS
can best help its Lutheran schools by helping its Lutheran
school administrators.

Thus Project Serve was born. Project Serve is a four-year
program sponsored by the Board for Parish Services in con-

i