ParadigmShifts. 1950 is so long ago I
think no one was even using the now over-used term “paradigm shifts”. But for
Lutheran schools the early 50’s was indeed a time for great shifts in the
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod school model. The traditional model was as old
as the Synod itself. LCMS congregations were expected to operate elementary
schools. This was such an essential element for parish life that it was even
written into the Synod’s constitution that every congregation was expected to
operate its own school.
Elements of that model included the following. The
congregation would operate the school. It would employ exclusively teachers
(almost always males) who had been trained in the LCMS teacher training system
and the Synod had established two teachers colleges (one in River Forest, IL
and one in Seward NB to ensure a steady supply of teachers. Teachers were to be
“called”-not contracted. They were considered “ministers of religion” by both
church and state. They had life tenure and could be dismissed for only three
reasons: teaching false doctrine, gross neglect of duties or immoral public
display of behavior. They were to be provided housing by the calling
congregation, usually in a congregation owned home called a “teacherage”. These
teachers had special responsibilities in the congregation for which they
received no special income. Most of them were church organists and choir
directors and/or youth directors for the official youth group called The
Walther League.
All congregation members were expected to send
their children to the Lutheran school. I remember discussion when I was growing
up as to whether or not a couple could be excommunicated from the church for
sending their children to the public school rather than to the parochial one.
Enrolling children who were not baptized members of the congregation was rare.
Financing was completely through the congregation
budget-by the regular offerings of congregation members. Tuition was not
considered an option. Receiving state or federal funds was not on any
Lutheran school’s agenda.
The role of the principal was to the best of my knowledge
not a full-time position in any Lutheran elementary school in 1950.All of this
was changing in the 1940’s and early 50”s especially on the East Coast in New
York and on the West Coast in California. And that was also happening at St.
Paul Lutheran School in Tracy to which I was assigned. I did have the
traditional “call”. I was teacher of grades 4-8 and was the principal. I was
the Youth Director responsible for meetings with the youth every single Sunday
night. (Note: Today in retirement I often say to my wife Jane as we drive home
from church on Sunday morning, “Thank God, I do not have Walther League tonight!”)
I was responsible for the Sunday School’s teacher training meetings twice a
month. I was not the organist (for which everyone was thankful) but I did play
the organ while the organist went to communion. Later the organist was my wife
Jane, more about that in a later Blog. Of course, it was my responsibility to
organize and run an annual Vacation Bible School.
But changes were coming fast. At least half of the
children in my school were non-members. They paid tuition, though I think it
was only $10.00 a month. My first year we had a non-Synodically-trained woman
teacher in grades 1-3. It was important to know who the “non-member” children
were. It was important to NOT have the reputation that the Lutheran school was
somehow there for kids who could nor make it in the public school. In Tracy it
was significant that both the small city’s top medical doctor and the top
dentist sent their children to “the Lutheran school.” I am grateful to say that
I embraced the “new paradigm” fully. I recruited from the entire neighborhood
and was pleased that after 3 years we were over capacity in enrollment. I was
also grateful that more women teachers were available and I utilized interns
and graduates from both River Forest and Seward. The role of the principal was
expanding and I was very pleased to attend a semi-annual principals conference
with my area colleagues. Fund raising was a new and critical responsibility. It
took a great deal of my time and I did not do an excellent job.
I was at Tracy for 4 years. It was a very different
Lutheran school from the one I attended in Walburg, Texas but it was Lutheran,
had member and non-member children, was supported by congregation and tuition,
and was well respected by the neighborhood. It was challenging and
rewarding and it prepared me for challenges and opportunities in my future
career.
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