To Increase and Support Establishing New and Strengthening Current Schools

WHEREAS, The Synod’s Lutheran schools afford opportunities for mission work as they teach the Word of God and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to Christians and non-Christians alike; and

WHEREAS, Lutheran schools also exist for the purpose of assisting and supporting Christian parents in their God-given vocation of rearing their children in the Christian faith and life; and

WHEREAS, Christian parents desire that their children grow up believing in their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and that they learn to live as faithful, responsible, God-fearing citizens in the world in which God has placed them; and

WHEREAS, Lutheran schools have played a vital role in the church’s mercy work in the society and culture in upholding and revitalizing the God-given estates of the home, church, and state; and

WHEREAS, The Large Catechism (LC) states, “… if we wish to have excellent and able persons both for civil and Church leadership, we must spare no diligence, time, orcost in teaching and educating our children, so that they may serve God and the world” (LC I 172); and

WHEREAS, Lutheran schools have historically and rightly emphasized doctrine and practice that is faithful to the Word of God and the Lutheran Confessions and curricula informed and shaped by the educational reforms of the Lutheran Reformation; and

WHEREAS, The most vital Lutheran schools have historically been closely connected to Lutheran congregations with well-trained Lutheran teachers and administrators; and

WHEREAS, Lutheran schools have been among the most important ways in which the Synod’s congregations have ministered to society and been strengthened for growth to Tell the Next Generation the Gospel of Christ; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks and praise to God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—for all our current elementary and secondary schools and for the many opportunities for strengthening current schools and for planting new schools; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention direct the Office of National Mission (ONM) to form a task force on facilitating the growth and expansion of Lutheran schools; and be it further

Resolved, That the task force work collaborative ly with districts in identifying new areas for establishing Lutheran schools within their districts by providing resource support(e.g.,feasibility studies, financially sustainable models for funding, etc.) to the districts for congregations to establish schools alone or in cooperation with other congregations and circuits; and be it finally

Resolved, That the task force work to identify and provide resources to establish and “strengthen the Lutheran ethos” in our schools (2016 Res. 8-01A, 2016 Proceedings, 181–82); and be it finally

Resolved, That we thank and praise God for the exceptional service being conducted in the area of LCMS School Ministry within the ONM as we launch this new effort.