History
'Missouri Synod Lutherans have long seen a need for integrating all learning with faith in Jesus Christ.
They have listened to the mandate of Holy Scripture in Matthew 28:19-20'
"Go and make disciples of all nations , baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of
the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you
always to the very end of the age" (NIV)
'Lutheran churches are excited about Christian education. Congregations of the Lutheran Church Missouri
Synod have opened more preschools and schools in recent years than they have in any of the last 30 years.
Members of congregations are seeking a Christian education that is specific to their Lutheran beliefs. They
want preschools and schools that will help nurture the faith of their children and help them to become
disciples of Christ. Communities are looking for schools that provide a high quality education, a safe
environment, and Christian morality. Lutheran schools provide those elements. Martin Luther once said,
'When the schools flourish, things go well and the church is secure. 'God has preserved the church through
schools." Quality, Christ-centered education is a significant and traditional ministry of The Lutheran
Church- Missouri Synod.' Initial Report, School Feasibility and Readiness Study, October 2003
* * *
The following is summary of events from March 2003 to February 2004, which relate to a proposed
Lutheran day school by the efforts of the Lutheran School Steering Committee and how the activities
contribute to the overall findings of the Genesis Project.
March 2003
Lutheran School exploration resolution approved by Good Shepherd voters.
May 2003
First Lutheran School informational meeting held 7:00 p.m. May 22 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.
26 people attended. Mr. David Roth, Minnesota South District Education Executive also attended fielded
questions and spoke on the promise of Lutheran education.
August-October, 2003
Informational Meetings
Mr. John Holtmeier represented the Lutheran School Steering Committee at initial informational meetings
held at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Hosanna Lutheran and Good Shepherd Lutheran during this threemonth
timeframe. Prior to the meetings, several advertisements placed in The Free Press (daily circ.
22,000) informed the public as to the meeting date and time. The same information was placed in church
bulletins in advance of Mr. Holtmeier's visit. Response from individual members at Our Savior's was
supportive, yet the church council has made no official commitment and is presently occupied with the call
process to fill the scheduled August 2004 vacancy.
In August, an application for the Genesis Project feasibility study was completed and approved in
September. Mr. Stuart Tietz assigned consultant.
The Genesis Project
'The Genesis Project is provided by LCMS District and Congregational Services-School Ministry to help
congregations and communities explore opportunities to start Lutheran early childhood programs,
elementary schools, and secondary schools. The Feasibility Study is intended to serve as a guide for the
committees, boards and the congregation. The primary goal of the Genesis Project is to help congregations
make wise decisions; therefore recommendations not to open a school or delay opening a school are
considered as productive and successful as studies that recommend opening a school.' Initial Report, School
Feasibility and Readiness Study, October 2003. This initial report was completed December 2003.
The Steering Committee was assigned three tasks, which, upon completion, would help contribute local
information to the Genesis Project. One was to create a proposed school plan, second, research of public
and non-public enrollment and finally, conducting a local demographic study.
1. The School Plan
As a requirement of the study and under guidance of the Genesis Project guidelines, the Lutheran School
Steering Committee submitted proposed school plan- information, which provided mission and direction of
the school and consisted of the following nine components:
1. Mission Statement
The school, exists to help parents raise children (Eph. 6:4), mature in body, mind and spirit who are fully
equipped for good works in this life (2 Tim. 3:16-17) and to foster faith enduring to eternal life by sharing
God's word in a Christ-centered environment.
2. Ownership
The Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod congregations of the greater Mankato/North Mankato area
participating in the Mankato Lutheran School Association will operate the school.
3. Potential Impact of the School
Students will receive an excellent education while applying God's truth to all of life as they experience and
share His love with others. Families of students will be drawn into active Christian life in connection with
the Lutheran churches. The community will be served by students and graduates whose good works glorify
God. The Church will be strengthened through staff and students.
4. School's Programs
The curricula will help students grow spiritually, academically, socially and physically, integrating God's
word throughout. The program will include studies and practice of the fine arts and use of technology.
5. Proposed Facilities
The School will begin using existing facilities at Good Shepherd and temporary facilities at the site of a
participating church, meeting standards for a school. Existing facilities and new construction will be
expanded as the enrollment grows, to include dedicated classrooms, a gym, offices and other support
facilities.
6. Funding
Start-up funding would come from special gifts, grants and fundraisers and designated support from
participating congregations.
Operating funds would come from tuition comparable to other parochial elementary schools of the area,
offset by contributions. Tuition of students from participating churches would be reduced in proportion to
the percentage of the operating budget provided by their church.
7. Potential Tuition
A registration fee will be assessed for each student.
Nonmember tuition would be $3700.
Member tuition would be $3700. Churches may provide assistance to reduce member tuition.
8. Endorsements
Minnesota South District Education Executive- Mr. David Roth
Pastor of Good Shepherd, Rev. Vance Becker
Good Shepherd Voters
9. Projected Student Body Size
Individual classes will be capped at 20 for open enrollment. The School will open with separate classes for
preschool and kindergarten and combined classes for grades 1-4 with no more than two grades combined at
any time. The goal is to add a new grade each year until eighth grade resulting eventually in single graded
classrooms through grade 8.
1.2 Local School research
A second requirement of the Genesis Project was research of local public and non-public school
enrollments. Comparatively, school enrollment in the area breaks down to 84% public 16% non-public.
During 1994-2004 public schools have shown an overall decline, losing about 800 students. Non-public
enrollment, steadily representing about 1,150 students per year in the timeframe, also declined, yet three
new campuses have opened since 1999. The sum total enrollment for non-public schools (1994-2004) was
11,541 students.
Data on the numbers of area homeshcooled students was not available. Motivations to homeshcool are
quite similar to starting a Christian day school- religious focus, moral character development, and an
alternative to public school setting.
1.3 School area demographic Study, October 2003
The Steering Committee received in October 2003 a demographic study titled "Linking Ministries and
Communities" fulfilling the third requirement. This large 500-page study was conducted by the Lutheran
Church Extension Fund (LCEF) and funded locally by an anonymous donor. The study contains numerous
statistical aspects pertaining to the population of the geographical area- a thirteen (13) mile radius around
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, which would be an estimated maximum commuting distance for
potential students.
Some highlights of the study relevant to potential school enrollment and school location showed over the
next five years the overall population of the study area would grow at a rate of between 5.52% and 7.89%.
Within the projected population growth, another 1,286 5-14 year-olds would be added and that the largest
concentration of children ages 5-14 is currently in the North Mankato area.
1.3.1 LCEF/LHM Religious Survey
A second component of the study considered by the committee was the 2002 LCEF and The Lutheran Hour
Ministries religious survey, which randomly polled 16,000 households across the United States. Results
were applied to the geographic area specified in section 1.3.2.
On the national religion scene, 38% of respondents classified themselves as 'Unchurched' only attending
services once or twice a year, 48% said they were not a member of any church, and 70% of respondents
said they were unfamiliar with Lutheranism. To that statistic, the committee noted that Lutheranism has a
long history in south-central Minnesota and that more people, if locally surveyed, would indicate
familiarity.
The survey found the most important reasons for choosing a church were 'People Connections' -this being
pleasant contact with church members, family & friends who are members and pastoral staff. Secondary
reasons, Worship Style (undefined), Convenience and Denomination, were equally important.
Inversely, these reasons were likely to cause people to leave a church- unwelcome ness, inconsistent or
unclear doctrine, and family/ friendÕs approval.
1.3.2 Membership trends
The third component considered by the Steering Committee was the congregational profile of membership
trends at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Financial support of a Lutheran Day school based on
contributions received through offerings could be determined by a low percentage, and so other sources of
funding should be explored- Adopt-a-Student, member donations, endowments, et cetera. Membership
trends at Good Shepherd show a trend of small decline, however, it was discovered informally by the
Steering Committee that attendance record keeping during the decade was not as accurate as a result of
staffing changes.
November 2003
The Steering Committee held its first of three meetings with Genesis Project Consultant Stuart Tietz. Mr.
Tietz described how Lutheran schools are started, what comprises a typical school and trends in Lutheran
school education. Information the committee gathered in October (Section 1) was shared and discussed
with him. Looking at the "Linking Families & Congregations" study, he said there would be a concern for
the first year enrollment numbers but overall, the area showed growth in household income for half the
population from $50,000 to $150,000. Good Shepherd will want to have current financial and worship
statistics to calculate the true measure of financial support to help members understand the financial
implications for each giving unit in a congregation. In his experience as a consultant he was asked, 'why do
congregations start schools nowadays?' Primarily to cultural influences, he said.
Mr. Tietz outlined the requirements for his next visit in February 2004. The Steering Committee would
have to survey people locally for interest in a Lutheran school, generate interest in focus group
participation.
4. Lutheran School Survey Drive- January-February, 2004
This phase of the Genesis Project required measuring local interest in a concept of a LCMS Lutheran day
school. Throughout January and February, informal school interest surveys were distributed to the three
local Missouri Synod Lutheran congregations and one local ELCA church. Rather than select a random
survey sample from the greater Mankato area, the committee decided for expediency sake to survey a
Lutheran population because Lutheran doctrine would be familiar and most likely within this group would
be the products of Lutheran school education. The results were published in the February Good shepherd
newsletter. Of the some 186 surveys returned the results showed positive response overall to the notion of a
Lutheran day school addressed in questions 1 & 2:
1. Do you feel there is a need for a new Lutheran (LCMS) day school in the Mankato area?
Yes 58%
No 19%
Maybe 23%
2. Would you support the idea of a new Lutheran (LCMS) day school?
Yes 59%
No 18%
Maybe 23%
3. Would you consider sending your child(ren) to a new Lutheran (LCMS) grade school?
Yes 26%
No 19%
Maybe 10%
N/A 45%
(The 'Not Applicable' portion may indicate a solid unmarried, newlywed or elderly population.)
Merely wanting a Christian day school is not enough to get one started let alone sustain it. In the next
question, respondents were asked to make three choices. Responses indicate. The image of a school campus
is less important as long as Christian principles and values are taught. Lutheran parents will pay tuition for
a Christian education so long as the teacher, programs and curriculum are Christ-centered.
4. What are the most important factors in sending you kids to a Lutheran (LCMS) day school?
Christian emphasis 23%
Teachers 22%
Programs 21%
Tuition 15%
Location 10%
Facilities 7%
Enrollment 2%
Question 5 helps identify the potential student population. Along with question 3, a sizable 'Not Applicable'
response could indicate newlyweds, the unmarried and or the elderly.
5. What are the ages of your children?
Age 5 and under 52(children)
Age 6 to 10 45
Age 11 to 15 34
Over 15 49
N/A 38
In the answers to question 6 parents recognize the financial realities of a Christian education. In all cases,
except for surveys conducted at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, no official representative of the Steering
Committee was present to field questions or provide information. This may explain the large 'No Answer'
finding and the general unawareness of public school parents with numerous funding options. This bears
out from the mid-ranking of 'Tuition' in question 4.
6. The State of Minnesota reports that the average cost per pupil is $400 per month. With that in mind,
what would be the highest level you would be willing to pay per month?
$200 17%
$250 14%
$300 4%
$350 4%
$400 14%
$450 2%
$500 7%
No Answer 38%
7. With what percentage should your congregation support the school?
0-10% 21%
10-20% 24%
20-30% 17%
30-40% 13%
40-50% 3%
No answer 21%
8. Would you willingly support a new LCMS school (circle all that apply)...
with prayers? 43%
with financial support? 20%
with volunteer support? 23%
No answer 12%
(67% of respondents answered this question)
5. February 2004
Second visit by Genesis Project Consultant. During the morning and afternoon of February 21, Mr. Tietz
held interviews and focus group discussions at Good Shepherd. Ads highlighting the meeting were again
placed in The Free Press and briefs of the committee meetings were placed in the 'Religion Briefs' section
of the Friday edition. Meetings were structured to elicit feedback from pastor, church leaders and lay
members of the area LCMS congregations. Responses during pastor discussions led the committee to
understand Good Shepherd should take the primary role in the school effort.
A question came forward during the Lay leadership group meeting as to the present availability of land for
the school. Good Shepherd does own a sizeable area of land surrounding the present church grounds. Other
comments reminded the Steering Committee's to continue to make available committee proceedings,
findings and other data to anyone interested.
Summary Highlights:
-Mankato Area Lutheran School Association- created to capture the broadest audience of LCMS families
and anyone else interested.
-Gauging the response of surveyed congregations, and focus group findings, Good Shepherd will assume
the primary role in the Mankato Area Lutheran School Association.
-Surveys indicate a positive response to the concept of a LCMS Lutheran school in the Greater Mankato
area.
-Surveys indicate families value a Lutheran school that emphasizes Christian values, good programs and
excellent teachers.
-Tuition for one year would be $3,700 for members and non-members. A congregation could financially
support their own members enrolled at the school and thereby reduce costs to families.
-The overall population of the school location is projected to grow at a rate of between 5.52% and 7.89% in
the next five years.
-An LCEF demographic study projects steady growth in school-age population in the next five years.
-The location of the proposed school lies in the heart of the area's most actively growing population area.
-Families value a convenient school location.
-Alternatives to public school education have increased steadily since 1994.
-There is no LCMS school system available to the estimated 3,000 LCMS Lutherans in the greater Mankato
area.
A final note:
Mr. Tietz will compile information and make his final recommendation in person in May 15th, 2004. It will
provide a summary of interviews, focus groups and surveys. The final report will also contain his opinion
and recommendations.
Train a child in the way he should go; and even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6