Written by Dan Johnson
The model of parish education is changing in our synod. A greater number of schools are looking outside the church walls to continue their ministry, and that brings up questions of funding. How does a church continue to carry out the Great Commission and fund a well-rounded education? The student tuition could be raised, but higher tuition means that many families will be unable to consider the school because of their financial situation. The answer for many schools and congregations is to turn to school choice programs, using public money to pay for private school education.
Many WELS schools are participating in choice.
Many schools look at choice programs as an opportunity to carry out the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19, “making disciples of all nations.” Mr. Benjamin Clemons, former principal of Risen Savior Lutheran School in Milwaukee, put it this way: “The largest blessing of school choice in my mind is that we were able to fund a school that otherwise would not have existed, which allowed us to share the gospel daily with hundreds of children” (Vik, 2008, p 8).
If choice programs can provide a private LES education for students who could use the message of the Savior, while also helping to fund the school, what is the problem? Brenner (1992) cautions about financial dependency on such programs and the possibility of improper government control. These cautions are sound reasoning and are the basis for some congregations to avoid school choice programs.
If there are cautions, why are so many WELS schools, in states across the country, choosing to participate in school choice programs? The answer can seem quite simple. These ministries have lasting results on the lives of the students and families, both earthly and spiritually (Hoogervorst, 2014; Vik, 2008). Students who attended a choice school scored higher academically than their public-school counterparts on standardized tests in both reading and math (Johnson, 2019). But more significant is that these students heard the message of the Savior, a message they might never have received anywhere else.
During a three-year period (2015-2018), urban WELS churches in Milwaukee, 14 in all, who participated in school choice saw tremendous spiritual growth. These churches reported nearly 500 baptisms, 72 youth confirmations, and 300 new adult members (Johnson, 2019). Very few if any of these increases would have been possible without school choice, which has allowed these congregations to reach out to the communities around them in ways they were previously unable. These congregations also grew in school enrollment to nearly 3,000 students in 2018 (WELS, 2018). Furthermore, all of these congregations have seen growth in church attendance and membership the longer their ministry has participated in school choice (Johnson, 2019).
Is school choice the right choice for your LES?
While this is a congregation-by-congregation decision, the data supports growth in the school and congregation for those ministries connected to school choice. This decision to enter school choice affects the academic and spiritual lives of the students involved. Take every opportunity to reach the lost for Christ. Souls are at stake, and school choice may be the avenue to bring the gospel to more students and their families.
The following is the link to Dan’s complete graduate studies thesis, “School Choice and Its Effects on the Spiritual and Academic Growth of Students.” https://mlc-wels.edu/library/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2019/02/Johnson-Thesis_final.pdf
Dan Johnson (’03, MS Ed ’19) is currently serving at Mt. Lebanon-Milwaukee.
References
Brenner, J. M. (1992, September) Issues related to educational choice: WELS Commission on Parish Schools. Milwaukee.
Hoogervorst, J. (2004, December) Is school choice the right choice for WELS schools? Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Essay File. Retrieved from http://www.wlsessays.net/bitstream/handle/123456789/2270/HoogervorstSchoolChoiceWELS.pdf
Johnson, D. (2019, May) School choice and its effects on the spiritual and academic growth of students. Martin Luther College Essay File. Retrieved from:https://mlc-wels.edu/library/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2019/02/Johnson-Thesis_final.pdf
Vik, M. (2008, December). A slow and gentle walk, a close look at the method and process of implementation of School Choice at Risen Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church and School. Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Essay File. Retrieved from http://www.wlsessays.net/bitstream/handle/123456789/1442/VikSchoolChoiceRisenSaviorMilwaukeeWI.pdf,
WELS Commission on Lutheran Schools. (2017). WELS School Statistics 2014-2015. Retrieved from: https://connect.wels.net/AOM/schools/CLS%20Key%20Documents/School%20Stats%202016-2017.pdf
One of the points that needs to be made is that school choice is not available in most states and many of our WELS school are not in the Midwest. Statistic show only 16 of 50 states have choice programs (https://www.edchoice.org/engage/fast-facts) Wisconsin is blessed to have 4 different voucher programs.
I propose that more thought, prayer, and effort must be given to ELS/WELS schools outside those states to reach students with the gospel message as well. Wisconsin has been working well since 1990 and God willing this will be a blessing for years to come. In schools on the west coast of the United States, school choice will most likely never be an option. This is true of other areas of the country as well.
As we do ministry, we need to consider many questions outside of Wisconsin. What alternatives are there to school choice in other states? Pennsylvania has done scholarship tax credits. Florida has a scholarship provision for companies to help pool money to be given to families sending kids to private and charter schools.
Let us not just encourage schools in Wisconsin, let us work toward finding help for ELS/WELS schools in as many states as possible.
God bless ministerial education and the work that shares Jesus in all schools.
In Christ,
Perry Lund