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1 LW 46:252. 2 LW 46:226, 227. 3 LW 46:257. Teaching the faith. Preaching the Gospel. Unfolding the glories of creation and the mysteries of the Creator. Guiding learners. Under the tutelage of the Spirit, deepening their saving faith in Jesus Christ. As Lutheran educators, these "spiritual" priorities are first and foremost why we exist: to let our lights shine so that the world might see the One who is its light (see John 8:12). I would like to challenge us to think about ways that we as people of the light not only lead people to that light but lead distinctly as lights within the world and for the sake of a so-called secular culture (see Luke 16:8)— perhaps even while learning from the world. One example is Martin Luther's emphasis on learning to read. Literacy rates at the time of the Reformation were very low in the German population. By 1750, the year of Johann Sebastian Bach's death, reading rates rose substantially. In many ways, this revolution was driven by the innovation of the printing press and motivated by a missional desire to disseminate Bibles, catechisms, and religious tracts. It's in the Lutheran DNA to embrace technology and erudition—like language mastery. In chapter three of my book, Meant for More: In, With, and Under the Ordinary, I point out three additional ways Martin Luther was considerably ahead of his time in promoting the social value of Christian education: 1. Luther underscored the liberal arts tradition leading to careers, vocations: "Where are the preachers, jurists, and physicians to come from, if grammar, and other rhetorical arts are not taught?" 1 In other words, the humanities constitute the hu- man ties that humanize even a secular culture. The work of Christian educators contributes positively to strengthening the building blocks of civil soci- ety; for example, a fair and equitable judicial sys- tem, responsible and honest blue-collar laborers, upright and honorable politicians, skilled teach- ers, caring mothers. Teaching the liberal arts from the Christian worldview has a direct and distinct social benefit. 2. According to Luther, educational institutions operated by Christians provide people of faith with the opportunity to demonstrate human compassion as well as provide avenues for so- cial mobility. This occurs especially as care is demonstrated for the whole person. We see in the legacy of urban schools in the United States many examples of educators knowing that what happens outside of the classroom has an impact not only on what happens inside the classroom and in the hearts of their students but also in their future opportunity to live meaningful lives. In other words, Christian education is about more than bearing witness to Christ and bestowing knowledge to students. It's also about helping stu- dents develop their gifts to the fullest and realize their human flourishing. Luther admonished edu- cators to give "direction to all temporal estates and offices" and contribute "to the well-being of [peo- ple] in body and soul, in property and honor." 2 3. Addressing people with material wealth, Luther urged that they prioritize their charitable giving for education: "Let the rich make their wills with this work in view, as some have done who have estab- lished scholarship funds." And this because God would give "pleasure and joy in Him" to those who engage in educational philanthropy. 3 Unless schools have dependable revenue sources and solid business models, they won't accomplish either their social or their spiritual missions. Luther may agree with me that nonprofits have some best practices to borrow from for-profits, such as "metrics, flowcharts, cash-flow projections, strategic plans . . . the highest of standards, detailed accountability, transparency, and verifiability." (Meant for More, p. 170) To paraphrase a popular aphorism, Lutheran educators remind the whole church not to be so spiritually minded that it ain't much earthly good. Jesus, after all, is not only our light but the light of the whole world. Does the world really need Lutheran education? For heaven's sake, yes! w Unwrap what God is doing in your life and how you're meant for much more in His plan of creation with John Nunes' book Meant for More: In, With, and Under the Ordinary. Find this title and others in this issue at cph.org. MEANT FOR MORE: IN, WITH, AND UNDER THE ORDINARY Lutheran Life 11

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