May 2025
Recently, the LCMS Northern Illinois District (NID) and Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) co-sponsored a series of informational seminars intended to address the hopes, plans, and concerns of our Lutheran Schools.
Several pastors and principals have previously reached out to the District with concerns about ongoing financial stress and some declining enrollment. Following a think tank session held to have discussion and brainstorm with these ministries, LCEF created a series of School Vision Clarity seminars.
The sessions were specifically developed for school administrators, pastors, and key lay leaders, in an effort to guide them through the vision and clarity process for each of their schools. In total, four two-hour sessions were held, one each month from February through May. The series was designed so that each session built upon the previous sessions’ discussions in order to gain a comprehensive plan for moving forward.
Topics included:
Visioning, Barriers, and Challenges – During this session, participants reviewed their current vision statement, looked honestly at barriers it has, and then revised it for more accuracy.
Finances, Development, and Budgeting – This session had the participants take an honest look at their school budget. What is absolutely necessary, what can go on a “wish list,” and what are the needs for building maintenance and up keep. How does it all get budgeted and yet remain fiscally responsible?
Church and School Ministry Integration – This session looked at how to better involve church members in the school and school families in the church. Some examples are: including a “school minute” in Sunday announcements, invitations for congregation members to attend events at the school, etc…
Master Plan and Communication – There was discussion in this session on how to get the ministry name out into the public and keep it positive and energetic. How do they tell their story?
An average of 30 attendees were at each session, representing eight early childhood centers and elementary schools from around the NID. Sessions were led by Rev. Tom Eggebrecht (LCEF Senior Vice President, Ministry Solutions) and Rev. John Glover (LCEF Vice President, Ministry Solutions).
The response to this series has been very positive.
Lois Stewart, the NID Education Executive, was pleased that the NID was able to cohost such an event. “Pastors Eggebrecht and Glover were a blessing to the NID as they shared timely information with those in attendance. They were very supportive and helpful.”
Pastor Dan Wegrzyn, Senior Pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church and School, Lombard, shared, “I’ve pastored churches with schools for 36 years, yet my team and I still came away with new ‘gems’ of learning. Tom and John were innovative and encouraging presenters who gave us actual tools and processes we could plug in to our own setting, especially areas like drafting a unified mission statement and developing a master plan.”
Tom Eggebrecht serves as LCEF Senior Vice President, Ministry Solutions, and he was also one of the speakers/presenters for the session series. He commented, “It was a true joy to work with some faithful people and special schools in the Northern Illinois District. As we made our way through the four sessions, we saw a great deal of collaboration amongst the schools, as well as a spirit of determination and desire to shore up important aspects of running a Lutheran school. More importantly, each and every pastor and leader was intent on moving ministry forward and expanding opportunities for connecting children and families to Jesus. The future is bright in these schools.”
If your school was unable to participate in this series, be watchful for more information about the upcoming Lay Leadership Summit on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at Walther Christian Academy. Plans are underway to offer a follow-up workshop with similar information at that event!
Thank you to Lutheran Church Extension Fund for your partnership with the LCMS Northern Illinois District in this venture! A huge thank you, also, to St. Peter Lutheran Church and School in Arlington Heights for serving as the host site for these meetings!
WITNESS: Encouraging personal witnessing, congregational engagement with their community, support of our NID partnerships and missions, and sharing in a world mission field together.