Embracing the Legacy of Lutheran Education
Story: Dr. Bernard Bull
Photos: Liz Kucera, Cara Bresette-Yates and Stephanie Wheelock
The noble calling of serving at a Christ-centered learning institution is an investment in the future of families, churches, communities and beyond.
To serve at a Lutheran school or university is a noble calling, a grand quest, a humbling but meaning-rich endeavor, and a deep and abiding blessing to the next generation. It means becoming part of a 500-year-old global movement in Lutheran education.
Historical Roots of Lutheran Education
The Lutheran church is the only denomination in history that originated with a professor of moral theology inviting others to a scholarly debate (with Dr.Martin Luther's posting of the 95 Theses). When The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod (LCMS) formed in the 19th century, they held education in such high regard that congregational membership required a commitment to education. Today, if you review the LCMS Consitution, you will find that five of the ten objectives of Synod include a direct or implied duty to education. The reason is because those who came before us knew the importance of education for the future of our youth, families and congregations. They understood that an education grounded in God's Word is fundamental to equipping people for lives of conviction and character, preparing them to be immense blessings in their families, churches, communities, workplaces and beyond.
A vision for Christ-centered education started in the 16th century Protestant Reformation. Then, C.F.W. Walther, the first president of the LCMS, re-affirmed it in 19th-century America. Walther expressed such a vision using the following words, "You certainly will share the sense of importance which I attach to these new schools which are coming into being in our church. Beyond all question, they are the very best means that we have to spread our doctrine to the mass of people of this land. From now on our confirmed youth must get the ability to attain to, and to hold with dignity, all American civil positions and State offices, and for this high purpose they must be trained" (Evangelisch-Lutherische Schulblatt, 1870). Walther envisioned Lutheran schools that were Christ-centered and world-class in their academics, preparing God-fearing people for faith, life and leadership throughout all parts of society and government.
The Vision for Christ-Centered Education
This points us to the legacy we inherit and the charge we have for the future. Confident in God's promises, we move forward with humility and trust, commending our sometimes feeble efforts to Him in prayer and moving forward with courage and confidence, not because of our ability and not because of any guarantee of earthly successes, but because:
- "our names are written in the book of life” (Luke 10:20),
- “Heaven and earth will fade but His word remains the same” (Matthew 23:35),
- God has built his church on the truth that Jesus is the "Christ, the son of the living God" and "the gates of hell will not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18),
- And because, while we know that life in this world will bring "trouble and tribulation, [but Jesus] has overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Dr. Luther, in his well-known "Letter to the Councilmen of All Cities in Germany that They Establish and Maintain Schools," made a compelling case for the importance of an education where God's Word is celebrated, present, prevalent and permeating everything. In today's language, we might say that is a vision for education where God and His Holy Word is present in the classroom to the court, the hallway to the teacher's lounge, always welcome in every class, meeting, competition and conversation. There is no such thing as a neutral education. Either God's Word is welcome or it is not. Both have a bias, but one is a blessed bias that belongs in every Lutheran school.
There is no such thing as a neutral education.
Luther warned that God's Word and grace is a passing rainstorm. He recounted instances of persistent rejection of God's Word in a community only to find themselves suffering from the vacuum created by its absence years later. Lutheran education is distinct when it heeds the wisdom of these words and strives for a learning community where we explore a myriad of subjects while placing a high priority on the Truth of 2 Timothy 3:16-17, that "all Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." As such, faithful and flourishing Lutheran schools and universities require faculty, staff and leaders whose loyalty is to God's Word, and that above their disciplines, fields of study or any other professional guilds.
Joining the Mission
And to have the incredible honor of being part of a global Lutheran education movement where we can say and celebrate such truths is a precious gift.
What a joy it is to be part of:
- A system that honors the legacy of faith formation started in the home, when parents brought their children to the waters of baptism, offering educational options that will build upon and honor that foundation rather than ignore or diminish it;
- A school system where faculty and staff can freely express their faith as they go about their various callings;
- A place of intentional nurturing and mentoring in the faith combined with rigorous academics where we seek and celebrate truth, beauty and goodness;
- A community where we practice Christian hospitality to those without a church home, pointing them to the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world;
- A legacy committed to equipping a next generation of laborers for the harvest;
- A quest to prepare the next generation through whom God will work to be a blessing to many through their varied vocations.
All of this is the joy and honor of using one's gifts in Lutheran schools and universities. Our schools need the best and brightest in our churches to accomplish this work. Central to enacting and expanding upon such a mission is a long line of people who say yes to the possibility of using their many and varied gifts to serve and be a blessing in Lutheran schools and universities. This includes future teachers and professors across disciplines. It also means mission-aligned people with gifts or openness to develop the requisite skills in finance, fundraising, recruitment, marketing, strategic planning, coaching, student life, information technology, business management, event planning, administrative assistance and so much more. God works through these people and their gifts to sustain, strengthen, grow and expand Lutheran schools and universities. Of course, many in the church have countless gifts that they use in inspiring ways to be a blessing in their workplaces and communities. That is good and noble work. It is honorable and commendable.
Yet, I write this article as an invitation for each reader to prayerfully consider whether now or some time in the future might involve an opportunity to join in this noble quest and global mission that we call Lutheran education. Or, perhaps you know others in your family or church whom you can gently prompt to consider a possibility now or for their future. It may not always have the flair or perks of other titles and positions. Our schools and universities are also not utopian communities. They are full of sinner saints, just like you find everywhere else. However, serving in a Lutheran school or university is mission-minded and meaning-rich work that is worthy of our best. It is an investment in the future of our families, churches, communities and beyond. It is a joyful calling to love God and neighbor by providing or supporting a Christ-centered education that rivals the best institutions in the world. Who knows but that you or someone near you has been granted such gifts and abilities to be a blessing in Lutheran education for such a time as this?
