LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 292

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

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