Lutheran educators explore mission in schools

Lutheran educators are being invited to delve into the topics of ‘Mission in Lutheran schools and early childhood services’ and ‘Wellbeing through a Christian lens’. These two subjects were the dual themes of the recent live-streamed Lutheran Education Australia (LEA) Ministry Conference.

The conference provided for personal and professional growth for staff in Lutheran schools, with a focus on ministry personnel. Any principals, teachers, chaplains, pastors and wellbeing staff who didn’t participate online in late May can still take part, with the conference sessions videos available on demand.

Conference speakers, including presenter Rev Dr Chad Rimmer, Lutheran World Federation program executive, encouraged participants to reflect on the purpose of Lutheran education. Dr Rimmer sparked discussion among live-stream participants by exploring the link between formation, reformation and transformation, and transformative pedagogy as an educational philosophy. ‘A Lutheran approach to education is about forming people who can fulfil their vocation to be the caretakers, tillers and keepers of God’s earth, and contribute to the physical, political, economic and ecological health and wellbeing of their society’, he said.

Keynote speakers also included Dr Phil Daughtry of Tabor College, missiologist Michael Frost, Professor Br David Hall of the Australian Catholic University, Dr Natasha Moore from the Centre for Public Christianity, Dr Rowan Lewis of the Australian College of Ministries and clinical psychologist Dr Katherine Thompson. Keynote presentations were accompanied by electives enabling participants to focus on a chosen area.

There were 250 session views during the conference and approximately 850 further engagements with the sessions since 26 May. Participants are also being invited to follow-up sessions where they can explore the implications for Lutheran education.

To request viewing conference session videos, email lea@lutheran.edu.au

WHAT SOME CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS SAY:

‘Loved Michael Frost and [LCANZ church planter] Chris Podlich. They married up very well … and were both encouraging and challenging.’

‘Chad Rimmer was thought-provoking, David Hall and Rowan Lewis were also highlights.’

‘I loved the theme – I believe we need to continue the conversation around what wellbeing looks like through a Christian lens and how we can connect faith and wellbeing in the lives of our students. Affirming!’

‘Natasha Moore leads by about five lengths at this stage! ….  I will certainly want to share it with my staff as part of our ongoing formation.’

Meanwhile, as Australian Lutheran College reports in its latest eNews, Lutheran Theological Journal (LTJ) has teamed up with LEA to produce a supplementary issue with its latest edition, which explores the intersection of Lutheran theology with contemporary educational theories and practices. The publication is a first for LTJ, which serves the church by providing a place where its workers can present a range of theological views that generate fruitful and respectful discussion.

Commenting on the supplement, LEA Executive Director Associate Professor Lisa Schmidt, who also served as guest editor, said: ‘I hope that these papers provide a launch pad for discussion and debate within school and early childhood service (ECS) communities and that dialogue informs local practice and decision making.’ All Lutheran schools and ECSs have been supplied with copies of the supplement.

You can subscribe to LTJ at https://alc.edu.au/research/lutheran-theological-journal/subscribe/ or by emailing ltj.subs@staging.lca.org.au or phoning 08 8360 7270.