A new task force on Lutheran schools met Jan. 9-10 to begin exploring ways to strengthen and support WELS schools.

Appointed by the Conference of Presidents as a result of a 2011 synod convention resolution, the task force is looking to provide ideas, recommend new or existing resources, and create support systems for WELS schools, according to Mr. Stephen Granberg, task force chairman and principal at Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School, Jackson, Wis.

“We can’t do the work for every church and school leadership group,” says Granberg, “but what we can do is be a servant to them by laying out tools and resources that they can use in their own settings.”

At the meeting, the task force began putting together a suggestion of guiding principles for Lutheran schools. It also discussed critical issues that WELS schools face, including defining a mission/vision statement, encouraging ongoing spiritual and professional growth for called workers and lay leaders, developing funding and governance models, supporting school leadership, and facilitating relationship building within and between schools and called workers.

Granberg says the task force is looking at assembling an inventory of available materials as well as creating new materials that will help schools address these critical issues.

Besides Granberg, task force members include Mr. Tim Mueller, St. John, Sparta, Wis.; Mr. Scott Schmudlach, Good Shepherd, Downers Grove, Ill.; Prof. Robert Klindworth, Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn.; Ms. Dawn Aswege, Calvary, Dallas, Texas; Ms. Linda Martens, Faith, Antioch, Ill.; Rev. Phil Sievert, Lord of Life, Thornton, Colo.; and Rev. Phil Huebner, Christ the King, Palm Coast, Fla. Mr. Greg Schmill, director of the Commission on Lutheran Schools, and Mrs. Cindi Holman, national coordinator of early childhood ministries, are serving as advisors.

The task force is looking to finish its work in 2013, in time for the synod convention in July.