From the Editor
Caught in God’s Net
“Or, again, there is what Cyril said, right after he instructed his catechumens to allow themselves to be caught in God’s net: “Jesus is fishing for you, not to kill you but to give you life.”
—Lauren Winner, Girl Meets God
We talk about being fishers of men, acting on the great commission, and teaching the Gospel to those in our care. What kind of fisherman are you? Do you throw out the line, sit back and wait for something to take a nibble? Are you thinking about how to properly cast the line in specific waters so that you have the precisely highest opportunity to catch the biggest fish? Or are you allowing yourselves to be caught in God’s net?
Lutheran educators have the never-ending job of being excellent teachers, counselors, providers, prayers, encouragers, coaches, and fishers of men (well young people). And you try to do all of this within the realm of being aliens in this world. In a perfect world, this fishing thing would be awesome; all of the time. But we’re not perfect. And it’s hard, day in and day out to keep casting the net.
There are oceans full of little fish and you get to cast your net because God already caught you in His.“But I came that you may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10 ESV He gave you LIFE so that you might LIVE. And in living out the joy of the Gospel you teach about His love, grace, and gifts. There are oceans full of little fish and you get to cast your net because God already caught you in His.
One of the articles in the Spring issue of ShapingtheFuture is We Teach Truth, and while it’s a study in branding and image, more importantly it is a group of Lutheran high schools who are boldly proclaiming who they are and what they teach – God’s truth. A Q&A with retired Lutheran educator, Nancy Jahnke, reveals that some of her best memories from teaching are “the expressions of faith that come honestly from the hearts of children.”
Keep teaching and fishing and casting your net as wide as possible. But do it all in the knowledge that Christ has already given you life!
Joy!
From the Executive Director
Extending the Growth Spurt
Once again, we find ourselves in a season of growth and new life. In most areas of the United States (and other countries of the northern hemisphere) spring has sprung! Buds are appearing on the trees, the days gradually get longer, temperatures rise, and spirits are raised as we find ourselves optimistically looking forward to winding down the school year and gearing up for new schedules and breaks.
Growth is ongoing. It neither begins nor ends. Growth seems to often come in spurts. It can certainly be observed in children, at various ages and stages, as each one changes at his or her own rate. In nature, we sometimes witness a dramatic building up of powerful forces, such as a spring storm or tornado, which can stop as quickly as it started. Growth and change can be exciting and fast-paced, but the potential for decline or disappearance can be challenging or even devastating.
Professional and spiritual growth often follow the same patterns as the above examples of physical development and changes in nature. Lutheran educators are encouraged to take courses, pursue degrees, participate in webinars, and attend conferences at various times in their ministries. The unfortunate result of those experiences is too often a sudden conclusion: the experience is done; a certificate was issued; the pressure is off. What is the lasting result? How has every experience helped educators to grow?
In order to move beyond the “growth spurt,” an attitude of growth must be adopted. Understanding how we grow, why growth is necessary and helpful, and what we can do with what we learn is an important predecessor to the experience itself. This starts with the assumption that growth is ongoing. It neither begins nor ends. One phase of growth leads to another. Our attitude about growth contributes to growth itself.
The theme of the 2016 LEA Convocation is simply “Grow.” This word is simple, yet it brings forward a really big idea about how we as Lutheran educators need to view our ministries. I pray that as we together anticipate this event, we see ourselves as growing together day by day – professionally and personally – in our risen Savior, who “gives the growth.” (I Cor. 3:6-7 ESV). May our walk together continue to be blessed this spring, this summer, and beyond!
