Written by Adam Bilitz
MLC ’20, ’24 and is the principal of Emanuel First Lutheran School-Lansing MI
Building a Collaborative Relationship: The Crucial Bond Between WELS Principals and Pastors
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” – Psalm 133:1
A recent survey revealed a common belief among Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) principals and pastor teams: collaboration plays an essential role in successful ministries (Bilitz, 2024). Both parties see the value of a unified relationship that promotes a strong spiritual and educational foundation for students, congregation, and community.
This study examined the professional relationship dynamics between pastors and school principals, identifying factors that support collaboration or lead to challenges. Data were gathered through an initial survey and follow-up interviews. CLS distributed the survey to 962 participants, and 249 completed the survey.
The research found that the pastor-principal relationships are overwhelmingly positive. Survey results revealed that WELS pastors and principals largely recognize the importance of a collaborative partnership. The findings allowed current pastors and principals to reflect on their relationship status and identify areas for improvement. Through interviews, participants shared experiences with both collaborative and challenging interactions. It became clear that WELS principals and pastors share a strong understanding of their joint mission and the critical need to build and sustain effective collaboration.
Huebner (2021) highlighted that the benefits of working together are practical, emotional, and spiritual, thus demonstrating that collaboration is beneficial for everyone. However, the journey to a truly collaborative relationship is not without challenges.
Follow-up interviews showed that both pastors and principals have encountered instances of conflict and camaraderie. This finding underscores the need for intentional efforts in nurturing these relationships and highlights the specific strategies that facilitate effective collaboration.
Mutual Support and Understanding of Roles: The Foundation of Collaboration
In interviews, WELS pastors and principals emphasize the importance of a shared understanding of their respective roles. While both people aim to serve their congregation and school, achieving unity requires mutual support and an appreciation for each role’s unique responsibilities.
Typically, principals handle the day-to-day operations of school life, focusing primarily on academic growth and student well-being. Pastors concentrate on spiritual guidance for all congregation members and school families. Recognizing the complementary nature of these responsibilities creates a foundation of respect, which is crucial for a smooth partnership and collaborative spirit.
Schuetze (2017) emphasized the critical role that trust plays in leadership, particularly in fostering relationships with those under one’s care. This principle is evident in the strong commitment to mutual support observed between pastors and principals, even in challenging situations. In interviews, principals expressed a desire for pastoral guidance to help maintain the school’s spiritual values, while pastors appreciated principals’ dedication to academic success and student development. This shared trust underscores how deeply understanding each other’s roles not only strengthens their professional bond but also amplifies the positive impact of their work on both students and the congregation, a shared mission that brings trust to both roles. To cultivate and sustain this trust, both pastors and principals are encouraged to embody qualities like compassion, patience, resilience, and a sincere commitment to serving others, as noted by Schuetze (2017).
Addressing Issues When Problems Arise
While the survey and interviews highlighted many positive aspects of principal-pastor relationships, they also revealed challenges, particularly around communication gaps, conflicting priorities, and physical separation. Principals and pastors often juggle busy schedules, which can lead to missed meetings or miscommunication.
Additionally, differing perspectives on priorities can sometimes strain their relationship. For instance, a principal might prioritize academic outcomes, while a pastor emphasizes spiritual growth. These challenges require open dialogue and a commitment to understanding each other’s perspectives.
To address these challenges, respondents suggested solutions such as setting up regular check-ins and maintaining flexibility in their schedules to ensure consistent communication. When differences arise, both parties have found that taking time to clarify roles and listen to each other’s concerns helps resolve misunderstandings effectively. Some even recommended engaging in occasional team-building activities to strengthen personal bonds, which can help during periods of tension or misalignment. It’s important to tackle these issues to ensure that the church and school work well together (Huebner, 2021).
Building a Path Forward
The findings from WELS schools underscore the importance of fostering a collaborative relationship between pastors and principals. Through mutual support, open communication, shared activities, and a commitment to addressing challenges respectfully, pastors and principals can build a relationship that not only serves their immediate needs but enhances the mission of their ministry. Building strong relationships within leadership teams is crucial (Osborne, 2010).
By prioritizing these strategies, WELS schools can create a united front that effectively supports both academic and spiritual growth, setting a positive example for students and fostering a cohesive and supportive community.
References
Bilitz, A. (2024) The principal-pastor relationship. [master’s thesis, Martin Luther College]
Huebner, P. (2021, December 7). Church and school working together in Unity. Issues in Lutheran Education. November 25, 2023.
Osborne, L. W. (2010). Sticky teams: Keeping your leadership team and staff on the same page. Zondervan.
Schuetze, J. D. (2017). Doctor of Souls: The art of pastoral theology. Northwestern Publishing House.