LEAven Blog
Emphasizing Culture for Desired Outcomes
Photos like the one pictured above evoke emotions of a realization that God is working in this child’s life in remarkable ways. Nora has not quite fallen asleep during naptime in her Kindergarten classroom. Her creative mind shows a Holy Spirit moment Look closely. She has her miniature Jesus (whom she sleeps with) sitting up, holding a small Bible. Such realities seem to share an outcome of child-like faith and a boldness to proclaim it in this captured moment.
This photo (above) is a seventh grade class that is wearing the same shirt for a reason. Their classmate was diagnosed with cancer, and this is just one way for them to support him in his health journey. Students, staff, and parents all worked together to create and provide other significant areas to share love and Christian care. One of the most powerful realities is the incredible amount of prayer they poured into the student and his family. The way they have come together is indeed a testament of the faith formation that is an integral part of their lives.
Body language is another way that captures culture. A smile shows joy! This young lady, Mila, loves her teacher, her classmates, and her Savior.
What do all these photos have in common? They function as a metaphor for a collective pattern of behaviors, which lead to desired outcomes. Love for one’s Savior is shown in practical applications, caring for others in meaningful ways and walking around with a smile that reflects an attitude of showing love for “my school.” Outcomes in our Lutheran schools vary, but our faith in Jesus Christ is always central and foundational. Faith formation encircles each child, staff member, the family, and even the congregation and visitors to the campus. There is a hope to powerfully provide the preferred outcomes to create a sustainable place where students love to learn and become excited about school. And where staff members work very hard to engage children in a way that encourages joyful participation in every part of the school day and beyond. Paul shares instructions on how to make an infectious, joyful and faith-filled culture with his list of “curriculum content.”
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 ESV
Verse after verse in God’s Word gives instruction. Every value listed in this well-known verse was given to Paul through inspiration from the Holy Spirit. Each can be studied as a biblical character trait to give a consistency that can also be classified as virtues of grace.
Daily struggles within our sinful nature can affect a ministry’s culture. Satan is always lurking to deceive and to tempt. We sin. Thank God; He forgives us and provides grace in a beautiful way that, at times, is even difficult to understand.
One should not assume that culture will “just happen.” It needs to be taught, practiced, and sustained. This can create shared norms. Cultivating culture is challenging work – including the commitment of time, attention, and effort. Much like a garden needs to be prepared with appropriate soil, seeds, watering, and weeding – there can come a bountiful harvest of satisfaction, and such bounty can be shared and shown. It takes much time, investment, and effort – and – time for reflection. What is working well? What is not? What are the collective, collaborative suggestions that are shared so that continuous improvement is part of the culture? These questions can be prompted often to assist the staff in this most crucial endeavor. It takes a personal and collective investment. The teacher is the role model. Within her day, she provides a picture of trust, humility, forgiveness, joy in ministry, innovative practices, and encouragement.
When one captures a student sharing her faith, even in a playful way like Nora shows us – we can whisper a prayer of thankfulness and pray that God would continue His good work in our Lutheran schools as we provide a culture that encourages every child and adult in faithful lives, lived for Him!
