Our Story

Since 1995, grassroots murmuring around the possibility and benefits of an association of Lutheran Christian educators was monitored by the Division of Congregational Ministries.
In 2000, ELCA Partners in Education were invited to express their thoughts, feelings, and hopes for an association. Their positive observations affirmed the timeliness of moving the conversation forward.
In early 2001, a “Christian Educators Association Questionnaire” was drafted and distributed to over 400 ELCA Christian educators. More than 200 individuals returned the survey, indicating their excitement and support for an association.
A group of 12 congregational Christian educators from across the country were gathered in October 2001 to discuss the possibilities of an association. They committed to serving as a working “planning committee.”
Over 30 congregational educators gathered at the first Lutheran Association of Christian Educators “public gathering” in Phoenix in January 2002. Input was gathered and a number of additional people made commitments to help move the association forward.
By the summer months of 2003, bylaws, a handbook, nonprofit status and various other legal documents were completed, setting the stage for the birth of the Lutheran Association of Christian Educators.
On September 25, 2003, the planning committee was dissolved and officers were selected for a new acting board. This is the official start date.
In January 2004, a membership drive officially began and chapters began to form. The acting board with appointed representatives moved forward with plans for a national newsletter and locally sponsored workshops.
In November 2004, ballots were mailed for the first national election of the Board.
In December 2005, the first Christian Educator of the Year, Dr. Diane Shallue, was chosen.
In January 2006, the National Board met and passed several new resolutions that looked to the future. One dealt with establishing an endowment fund for the Lutheran Association of Christian Educators, to further the mission of supporting Christian educators. A second resolution directed the research of a standards program for Christian educators within the ELCA.
Under the continued leadership of the Lutheran Association of Christian Educators National Board, a number of initiatives have been undertaken. Board members work at improving communication and providing more support by revamping the newsletter and adding the monthly e-newsletter. Other web-based resources like Facebook are also being evaluated for their value at linking people.