After a successful collaboration at Biennial Conference 2024, NAES welcomes members of the Evangelical Lutheran Education Association (ELEA) to Biennial Conference 2026. Lutheran educators looking to broaden their academic horizons and foster Christian fellowship will find much to gain from joining their Episcopal colleagues in Los Angeles. Exchange best practices with colleagues from a different Protestant tradition, and explore how the educational philosophy of Episcopal schools might unveil complementary approaches to faith-based education and enrich Lutheran schools.
About ELEA
Our ELCA schools and early learning centers represent one of our denomination’s most significant and impactful ministries. These educational institutions are not merely auxiliary programs—they are vital lifelines that connect our church to the broader community and serve as powerful instruments of God’s mission in the world.
Each day, nearly 140,000 students walk through the doors of ELCA schools and early learning centers nationwide. These young people, from infants to teenagers, experience Christian education that nurtures both their academic growth and spiritual development. This reach extends our church’s influence far beyond Sunday worship, creating daily opportunities for ministry, witness, grace, and service.
ELCA schools and learning centers stand as one of the most—if not the most—diverse ministries within our denomination. Our educational institutions welcome families from various cultural, ethnic, socioeconomic, and faith backgrounds, creating vibrant communities that reflect the breadth of God’s creation. This diversity enriches the educational experience for all students while demonstrating our commitment to being a church for all people.
As we seek to “grow young” as a denomination, we must recognize that our students, their families, and caregivers are not merely recipients of our services—they are vital participants in the life of our congregations. These relationships, forged through daily educational interactions, often become the bridge that connects families to our worshiping communities.
When we view parents, grandparents, and caregivers as partners in ministry rather than outsiders to be converted, we create authentic opportunities for spiritual growth and community engagement. Many families first encounter our Lutheran tradition through our schools, and these initial connections can blossom into lifelong relationships with Christ and our church community.
Our educational ministries deserve our recognition, support, and investment. They are doing the essential work of nurturing young minds, building bridges across communities, and planting seeds of faith that will bear fruit for generations to come. As we consider the future of the ELCA, let us remember that our schools and early learning centers are not just serving our mission—they are leading it.
The future of our church walks through our school doors every day. The ELEA is here to celebrate, support, and strengthen these vital ministries that are shaping both our communities and our faith for tomorrow.
Source: elcaschools.org/about-us
You must be logged in to post a comment.