The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s School Ministry assists, equips, and uplifts school educators, district staff, and especially education executives and congregational leaders so that through them children may be equipped as disciples of Jesus Christ.

LCMS School Ministry Director: Dr. Alan Freeman

LCMS Office Contact Information: (888) 843-5267 or email.

Learn more about the scope and mission of LCMS School Ministry.

LuthEd provides Lutheran teachers with spiritual, academic and communication support. The website offers a growing array of resources, devotions and discounted services. Additional resources are being produced for the site.

Explore LuthEd here.

The 2022–23 Chapel Talks for Lutheran Schools is centered around Matthew 28:19-20 and explores the triennium theme of Making Disciples for Life. Historically and presently, Lutheran schools are integral to Making Disciples for Life. The theme unites Lutheran schools in worship, witness and life together.

Chapel Talks is produced by the LCMS School Ministry office and permission is granted to reproduce Chapel Talks for use in school and ministry worship services.  For more information about Chapel Talks, contact LCMS School Ministry at 888-THE LCMS (843-5267) or via email at School.Ministry@lcms.org.

Utilize Chapel Talks in making disciples at your school.

National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA) serves as the accrediting body for Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod schools across the United States and the world. NLSA has been accrediting schools in the LCMS since 1978, and accreditation decisions have always been based upon a school’s compliance with national standards for Lutheran schools that reflect the essential qualities that are expected of Lutheran schools.

National Lutheran School Accreditation encourages, assists, and recognizes schools that provide quality Christian education and engage in continuous improvement. The Evidence Based Accreditation (EBA) process allows for the fulfillment this mission effectively thereby providing a valuable service to Lutheran Schools.

Learn the value of NLSA for your school and access resources related to the accreditation process.

Since 1996, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has conducted School Leadership Recruitment and Training processes through the School Leadership Development Project SLED). Its purpose is “To identify and recruit thirty leadership participants serving in Lutheran schools and train them through two national SLED events conducted by LCMS School Ministry.” As a result, over 450 potential administrative candidates have been prepared for leadership in Lutheran schools.

Discover the SLED Program and obtain application materials.

The purpose of Lutheran School Consulting Services (LSCS) is to strengthen and revitalize Lutheran schools so God’s children are well served and His kingdom expanded. LSCS focuses on the school and its ministry. As schools are strengthened, so are congregations and their ministries.

LSCS uses a specific process to assess, evaluate, and make relevant recommendations based around the various needs of the ministry requesting assistance. Trained assessors and consultants work hand in hand with ministries throughout the entire process to ensure that their needs are met and their overall ministries are strengthened.

Learn how LSCS can walk with you in best stewarding the ministry of your Lutheran school.

The CMIF is designed to help LCMS Districts and call committees from congregations, schools, and other LCMS related entities search for commissioned ministers to fill open calls. Whether you are looking for a teacher, deaconess, director of Christian education, director of Christian outreach, director of family life ministry, director of parish ministry, lay minister, or a parish assistant, this site will help you find candidates with the experience and interests you need.

Request access to search the CMIF.

The Genesis Project helps LCMS congregations start Lutheran schools, which include early childhood, elementary, middle, and high school programs.

The process begins with the Genesis School Readiness Study. The purpose of the Readiness Study are as follows:

• • • To help LCMS congregations and communities gain information on how to start a Lutheran school
    • To acquaint Steering Committee members with Lutheran school trends and statistics
    • To assess the interest and the ability of parents to send their children to a Lutheran school
    • To initially explore potential congregational and third-source funding for a Lutheran school
    • To initially explore the market for potential students
    • To assess attitudes toward the potential location(s) of the facility
    • To provide data and information from which the interested parties can decide on the establishment of a school

If you would like more information on the Genesis Project or are interested in utilizing LCMS School Ministry Services, please email the LCMS School Ministry Office.

Learn how the Genesis Project can help you start or expand a Lutheran school.

Commissioned ministry colloquy programs prepare men and women who are currently serving in ministry roles for membership in the Synod. (Bylaw 3.10.3) Colloquy programs ensure that those who seek to join the Synod have been educated in theology, have become oriented to service to the Synod and have demonstrated the spiritual and professional attributes that the Synod expects of its members. (Bylaw 3.10.3.a)

Though the colloquy process involves more than education (Bylaw 3.10.3.a), college level coursework is a significant part of the colloquy process. In the LCMS, the responsibility for providing for the education of commissioned ministers has been given to the colleges and universities of the CUS (Bylaw 3.6.6.1), who together have created the CUEnet to deliver colloquy coursework in an online format.

Learn about the colloquy process and apply here.