From the Editor
The Eternity Factor
“The students from Milwaukee Lutheran get the eternity factor.” That’s what Barbara Vanderburgh, Director of Development and Administration at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission, said about high school volunteers. The eternity factor. That’s a great reminder for me as a parent of children at Lutheran schools, and for you as their educators. “We teach Christ.” “We share Christ.” “We nurture minds and hearts.” Whatever tag line your Lutheran school uses to communicate the benefits of Christian education, it’s all about the eternity factor.
Children are entrusted to your care for academics, social behavior, athletics, leadership, community outreach (am I missing anything?). But at the end of the day, the week, the year, you are sprinkling, splashing, indoctrinating them with the eternity factor – the joy and freedom that comes from the gift of knowing that Christ came for them and for you! Lutheran education is the application and living out of faith. It’s seeing that faith grow and tested from circle time in pre-K to an apologetics class senior year and beyond.
As you read Dean Nadasdy’s feature Crossing Over, or about Themba School in rural, poor South Africa, and even Flexible Scheduling for Early Childhood, think about the eternity factor. What you teach is more than character education, more than Algebra and Language Arts. You have been called to teach (and live) the story of salvation. I, for one, am eternally grateful.
Themba leadership is committed to transitioning into a new future, based upon a solid Lutheran foundation.
From the Executive Director
Transitions and
New Beginnings
I enjoy traveling to any part of the country at this time of year, but especially appreciate the areas where the leaves on trees are changing colors. From the air, one can view the majesty of God’s creation as the sun illuminates the seemingly limitless variations of red, yellow, gold, and orange represented in forests, on hills, and along rivers. Even driving along the expressway, evidence of the season’s change is abundant. I found myself distracted far too often. It was nice to simply pull off to the side of the road and marvel at God’s plan for transition.
I pray that transition into a new academic year was smooth for all those who serve in schools, congregations, mission sites, universities and so many places of Lutheran education ministry around the world. The transitions are continuous, even as school years vary from country to country.
My wife, June, and I had the opportunity to share many experiences this past May with colleagues and friends in a country filled with transition: South Africa. You can read more about Themba Trust, the ministry with historic roots (1853!) and transition significance following a long period of apartheid. The sign above tells the story of the cultural and historical mixture embedded at Themba and, in fact, throughout the country. This is truly a place of new beginnings. Its leadership (at right) is committed to transitioning into a new future, based upon a solid Lutheran foundation. It will be exciting to discover what God has planned for this growing new ministry in the heart of South Africa and for all the places in the world He has called His people to be Lutheran educators!
I hope you enjoy all of the stories shared in this issue of ShapingtheFuture.
Themba photos (above and lower right) by Jon Laabs.
Paper collage illustration (above right) by Hayley Brooks.
