LUTHERAN SCHOOLS PLACE JESUS AT THE CENTER OF YOUNG LIVES

March 5-11 has been designated as National Lutheran Schools Week in the United States by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. There are over 1,100 Lutheran elementary schools worldwide, servicing almost 200,000 children. Additionally, there are over 70 Lutheran high schools in the country, with 10 to 12 due to open in the next year, including Saxony Lutheran High School in the Cape Girardeau area. The Concordia University System is composed of 10 universities and two seminaries. I am writing to explain what purpose Lutheran schools serve in the lives of so many parents and children across the country.

The theme for this year is celebration is from Phillipians 2:15 which says, "...shine like stars." But what is it that makes Lutheran schools different? Dr. Cary Stelmachowicz, a professor of education at Concordia University Wisconsin, recently addressed this question during a chapel service.

"Some would say that it is the curriculum, or the co-curricular activities that make Lutheran schools different. Or maybe it is the facilities, or the statistic of a lower amount of violence in Lutheran schools. But I am sure that if you looked far enough and hard enough, you would find public schools or even Christian schools that have better academics, higher achievements, better athletics and more modern buildings, and even safer schools, but they are missing the point.

It is Jesus. Yes, Jesus is the reason for what we do, and Jesus gives purpose to everything we do in life. Being in the Word of God daily, being enriched by Christian teachers this is what makes Lutheran schools different and, in my opinion, better. I am not saying that Lutheran schools are immune from violence or sin. We sin just like everyone else, but it is how we respond to sin that makes us different. Lutheran schools show us forgiveness and point to the cross of our Savior, who is the Light of the world. Lutheran schools are committed to Jesus Christ and proclaim Christ in all they do.

As a child, I attended Trinity Lutheran School in Cape. When I wasn't with my parents, they knew that I was still being nurtured in the Word of God. This did not relieve my parents of their responsibilities but rather enhanced their duty as Christian parents to bring me to Jesus through baptism and being in the Word daily, just as Proverbs 22:6 says: "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Many parents say, "But I take my children to church. Why put them in Christian schools?" And I respond by saying, why pass up such a wonderful opportunity for your children. Not only did my parents train me and lead me to the Word of God, but the teachers, pastors and the principal furthered my education and my knowledge of the Lord.

Now, after attending a public high school, I am again part of the Lutheran school system as a freshman at Concordia University Wisconsin. I am majoring in pastoral ministry/pre-seminary. With over 4,500 students, CUW is the largest Lutheran institution in the country. The president of Concordia University Wisconsin, the Rev. Dr. Patrick T. Ferry, recently said in an article, "Experience has shown that those students who attend an LCMS institution for a vocation other than full-time church work often become key lay leaders. The Christian environment and university-level theological education powerfully combine for spiritual growth and maturation that has lifelong impact." Not only are Lutheran universities preparing future pastors, teachers, parish nurses, musicians and missionaries, these universities are preparing faithful Christian lay leaders.

Lutheran schools have a positive impact. How wonderful it is that children can attend Lutheran schools beginning at the kindergarten level (and often the pre-kindergarten level) and continue through the higher education level, including a master's degree or even a doctorate.

I am very excited and thankful that there is going to be a Lutheran high school in the Cape area. Over 20 LCMS congregations of the Cape Girardeau area have banded together to see this project through to the glory of God. I am sure that Saxony Lutheran High School will be a tremendous blessing to all those that it affects. Not only in Cape, but across the country, parents, grandparents, friends, pastors and teachers are working to further the teaching of Jesus Christ in Lutheran schools. This is all to the glory of God and the furthering of his church, so that we will "shine like stars" and not only shine, but also reflect the light of the Son. As we celebrate National Lutheran Schools Week, I thank God for all his blessings, and I pray that he would continue to be with all those who serve in our Lutheran schools and with those who support them. To God be the glory.

Matthew R. Younghouse is a student at Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon, Wis.