Comments on: Education and the identity of the Missouri Synod http://www.esgetology.com/2008/10/17/education-and-the-identity-of-the-missouri-synod/ Waiting for the Parousia Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:07:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Christopher Esget http://www.esgetology.com/2008/10/17/education-and-the-identity-of-the-missouri-synod/#comment-802 Christopher Esget Wed, 29 Oct 2008 02:00:18 +0000 http://esgetology.wordpress.com/?p=622#comment-802 Don't apologize! Great comment. Don’t apologize! Great comment.

]]> By: Orianna Laun http://www.esgetology.com/2008/10/17/education-and-the-identity-of-the-missouri-synod/#comment-801 Orianna Laun Wed, 29 Oct 2008 01:51:27 +0000 http://esgetology.wordpress.com/?p=622#comment-801 As a product of Lutheran elementary and college education, as well as a product of a public high school, I am an immense proponent of Lutheran education. I had wonderful teachers in elementary school and in college who taught me better than I realized. To this day I wish I could emulate them. Public high school taught me how it is actually the secular humanists who run education in America, and though they call Christians closed-minded, they are truly the ones closing the minds of their students. As a Lutheran teacher, I know how difficult it is to balance giving children an education, public expectations, meanwhile holding firm to the Lutheran faith. Parents want a comparable education, teachers want enough time to teach, pastors want the teachers to teach in accordance with doctrine (we hope the pastors do!), and the congregation wants a balanced budget. Not to make excuses. I agree classical education is the way to go. Make well-educated students who can stand up to people who say Christians are illogical, namby-pamby do-gooders. We should make our schools better rather than take "Lutheran" off our signs to attract students. (Sorry, Pastor Esget, for going on so long.) As a product of Lutheran elementary and college education, as well as a product of a public high school, I am an immense proponent of Lutheran education. I had wonderful teachers in elementary school and in college who taught me better than I realized. To this day I wish I could emulate them.
Public high school taught me how it is actually the secular humanists who run education in America, and though they call Christians closed-minded, they are truly the ones closing the minds of their students.
As a Lutheran teacher, I know how difficult it is to balance giving children an education, public expectations, meanwhile holding firm to the Lutheran faith. Parents want a comparable education, teachers want enough time to teach, pastors want the teachers to teach in accordance with doctrine (we hope the pastors do!), and the congregation wants a balanced budget.
Not to make excuses. I agree classical education is the way to go. Make well-educated students who can stand up to people who say Christians are illogical, namby-pamby do-gooders. We should make our schools better rather than take “Lutheran” off our signs to attract students.
(Sorry, Pastor Esget, for going on so long.)

]]> By: Heidi http://www.esgetology.com/2008/10/17/education-and-the-identity-of-the-missouri-synod/#comment-800 Heidi Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:30:48 +0000 http://esgetology.wordpress.com/?p=622#comment-800 I guess I'm another PK that shares the same flaw of which Mollie speaks. I always knew I was not cut out for the supporting role of pastor's wife! Although my family has had to make countless sacrifices over the years, we've also been blessed with lifelong bonds with parishioners that have rivaled familial relationships. When pastors don't have that kind of support network, it makes those familial sacrifices incredibly difficult, in my experience. I guess I’m another PK that shares the same flaw of which Mollie speaks. I always knew I was not cut out for the supporting role of pastor’s wife!

Although my family has had to make countless sacrifices over the years, we’ve also been blessed with lifelong bonds with parishioners that have rivaled familial relationships. When pastors don’t have that kind of support network, it makes those familial sacrifices incredibly difficult, in my experience.

]]> By: Christopher Esget http://www.esgetology.com/2008/10/17/education-and-the-identity-of-the-missouri-synod/#comment-799 Christopher Esget Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:29:23 +0000 http://esgetology.wordpress.com/?p=622#comment-799 BTEG, Paul is referring to Immanuel Lutheran School, our parochial school. I think he's just saying that our school is still a good one (and we hope to keep it that way). BTEG, Paul is referring to Immanuel Lutheran School, our parochial school. I think he’s just saying that our school is still a good one (and we hope to keep it that way).

]]> By: Barb the Evil Genius http://www.esgetology.com/2008/10/17/education-and-the-identity-of-the-missouri-synod/#comment-798 Barb the Evil Genius Mon, 20 Oct 2008 21:12:56 +0000 http://esgetology.wordpress.com/?p=622#comment-798 Paul, were you referring to my comment? Because I don't even know what ILS is. Paul, were you referring to my comment? Because I don’t even know what ILS is.

]]> By: Paul http://www.esgetology.com/2008/10/17/education-and-the-identity-of-the-missouri-synod/#comment-797 Paul Mon, 20 Oct 2008 18:28:55 +0000 http://esgetology.wordpress.com/?p=622#comment-797 Well, all I know is that ILS did very well for all three of my children, including the one that's currently at Concordia in Chicago. It might be a good idea to investigate additional programs for highly talented children, but I know that there is only so much that can be done on a parochial-school's budget. My kids might not be talented a the genius level, but they're bright enough and I do know that for the most part they weren't bored with the classical curriculum at ILS. Well, all I know is that ILS did very well for all three of my children, including the one that’s currently at Concordia in Chicago. It might be a good idea to investigate additional programs for highly talented children, but I know that there is only so much that can be done on a parochial-school’s budget. My kids might not be talented a the genius level, but they’re bright enough and I do know that for the most part they weren’t bored with the classical curriculum at ILS.

]]> By: TRF http://www.esgetology.com/2008/10/17/education-and-the-identity-of-the-missouri-synod/#comment-796 TRF Mon, 20 Oct 2008 17:58:24 +0000 http://esgetology.wordpress.com/?p=622#comment-796 A year ago I knew absolutely nothing about Classical Lutheran Education, I did not even know it existed. I also have this crazy idea that I am raising theologians, so I knew that our kids would attend a parochial school. I always assumed it would be a Roman Catholic school. I was very happy to find ILS, and to send our oldest child there for Kindergarten. There seem to be more families choosing ILS, and hopefully that trend will continue. I also hope that the school and the church will continue to focus on classical education and an understanding of the faith. A year ago I knew absolutely nothing about Classical Lutheran Education, I did not even know it existed. I also have this crazy idea that I am raising theologians, so I knew that our kids would attend a parochial school. I always assumed it would be a Roman Catholic school.

I was very happy to find ILS, and to send our oldest child there for Kindergarten. There seem to be more families choosing ILS, and hopefully that trend will continue. I also hope that the school and the church will continue to focus on classical education and an understanding of the faith.

]]> By: Barb the Evil Genius http://www.esgetology.com/2008/10/17/education-and-the-identity-of-the-missouri-synod/#comment-795 Barb the Evil Genius Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:37:56 +0000 http://esgetology.wordpress.com/?p=622#comment-795 We pulled our two daughters out of the Lutheran school I attended as a child, not only because they were not meeting my oldest daughter's needs (she has a high IQ and the teachers dumbed everything down) but because the church has largely gone to a happy-clappy, rock band, church in the gym with an overhead worship style. We pulled our two daughters out of the Lutheran school I attended as a child, not only because they were not meeting my oldest daughter’s needs (she has a high IQ and the teachers dumbed everything down) but because the church has largely gone to a happy-clappy, rock band, church in the gym with an overhead worship style.

]]> By: Christopher Esget http://www.esgetology.com/2008/10/17/education-and-the-identity-of-the-missouri-synod/#comment-791 Christopher Esget Sun, 19 Oct 2008 03:35:14 +0000 http://esgetology.wordpress.com/?p=622#comment-791 Mollie, I assume Jeff is joking. It would be interesting to know how many pastors leave the ministry to seek higher-paying jobs. My anecdotal evidence suggests many pastors (and their wives) who leave got tired of a grueling schedule with constant criticism and low pay. At Immanuel, however, I've been astonished at how generous some parishioners have been towards me. It's almost always someone with a pastor in the family, since they've experienced the very things you mention. I had to laugh about your comment about not wanting to be a pastor's wife. I don't know how many times I've had to apologize to Kassie because I came home, or kept her at church, three hours after I promised I'd be done. Mollie, I assume Jeff is joking.

It would be interesting to know how many pastors leave the ministry to seek higher-paying jobs. My anecdotal evidence suggests many pastors (and their wives) who leave got tired of a grueling schedule with constant criticism and low pay.

At Immanuel, however, I’ve been astonished at how generous some parishioners have been towards me. It’s almost always someone with a pastor in the family, since they’ve experienced the very things you mention.

I had to laugh about your comment about not wanting to be a pastor’s wife. I don’t know how many times I’ve had to apologize to Kassie because I came home, or kept her at church, three hours after I promised I’d be done.

]]> By: Dan Grams http://www.esgetology.com/2008/10/17/education-and-the-identity-of-the-missouri-synod/#comment-794 Dan Grams Sun, 19 Oct 2008 01:21:42 +0000 http://esgetology.wordpress.com/?p=622#comment-794 Pr. Esget, No need to elaborate more, now that I know you weren't calling me a thief! :-) Pr. Esget,

No need to elaborate more, now that I know you weren’t calling me a thief! :-)

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