Teacher Greg Schmill has accepted the call to be director of the Commission on Lutheran Schools, one of the six areas in the Congregation and Ministry Support Group (CMSG). One CMSG position still remains vacant. Rev. Eric Roecker, associate pastor at Resurrection, Chesapeake, Va., declined the call to serve as director of the Commission on Youth and Family Ministry. The Conference of Presidents plans to extend another call for this position at its meeting in late April.

Schmill, who has served as interim director of Lutheran Schools since December 2009, says that the office will be focusing on both management and leadership roles. Management responsibilities include gathering and processing school and teacher information, and providing call lists. Leadership will focus on providing and supporting a clear vision for a WELS school system "that trusts the Lord as it looks to thrive during this time of both challenges and opportunities in our schools," says Schmill.

To do this, Schmill says that the commission will focus on the Team Ministry Process redesign, which emphasizes continuing education for teachers and principals. "We believe that we strengthen schools by helping strengthen the people in the schools," he says. "We are blessed with outstanding teachers and principals, and our role is to support them, advocate for them, and give them the tools that they need to be the best teachers and leaders they can be." In addition, the commission will work to forge stronger partnerships with Martin Luther College, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Wisconsin Lutheran College, and Northwestern Publishing House to provide the necessary support and resources for our schools.

He continues, "Please pray that all connected to our schools would be granted an extra measure of wisdom, energy, and patience as we seek to share the gospel with the children and families of our churches and communities."