Wisconsin Christian School to Offer Free Tuition Next Year Whether Parents are Members of the Church or Not
"Our decision was to step out in faith and to try to grow our school and, quite simply, to witness God's blessings as we do that...It's part of our mission and our ministry."
(Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin)?The folks at Zion Lutheran Church in Menomonee Falls have decided to let families send their children to their private school for free next year whether they are members of the church or not. (Photo/Gary Porter)
Part of the reason for the decision is due to increasingly low enrollment at Zion Lutheran School. But also, said Pastor Tim Lamkin, who noted that cost is a primary factor for parents not enrolling their children in a private school, "Our decision was to step out in faith and to try to grow our school and, quite simply, to witness God's blessings as we do that...It's part of our mission and our ministry."
"Certainly what Zion is doing is unique," said Mark Bahr, vice chairman of the Association of Lutheran Secondary Schools. "It's a huge leap of faith for a congregation to support." About $100,000 to be exact; an amount that will require "sacrificial giving" by church members.
According to a report in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, parents applying to send their children to Zion also "will be asked to commit to worshipping at Zion or another church, helping out at sporting events and other extracurricular activities, being involved with the parent-teacher organization and helping out with other fund-raisers."
"We're trying to establish that their child's education is not just something their child goes through but it's also for parents," said Lamkin. "If people don't want to participate, they will be turned down. We hope they will see the benefit of not only being involved in their children's education, but also with being part of a larger community."
