Genesis Project

A Look to the Future

The Lutheran School Association High School (LSA HS) of Cole Camp, MO is considering a rebirthing project to become a circuit wide high school. This is necessary to ensure the long term future and strong support of a Lutheran High School in the Sedalia Circuit area. This project will intentionally take some time, as a proper study of resources, support, demographics, and desires for a Circuit High School are explored. The Genesis Project, put on by the LCMS, is the vehicle we have chosen to help guide us through this exploration process. Please contact Michael Wilshusen if you have more questions: mwilshusen.lhs@gmail.com. 

FAQ Genesis Project

• What is the congregational cost for the Study?

  • $500

  • Made out to LCMS School Ministry

  • Goal is to make it affordable but also to have skin in the game

• What is the timeframe for an application to be approved, rejected, or placed on the wait list?

  • Could be anywhere from a couple of months to much longer. The key is for the church/school to get the required surveys out first and for sufficient data collected from them for a Genesis Project consultant to use.

• What are the role/responsibilities of a steering committee to investigate a school startup?

  • Steering committees should be eight to twelve individuals characterized by . . .

• Love for God’s young people

• Commitment to Lutheran education

• Leadership in the congregation and/or community

The steering committee should include a mix of potential users and supporters of the school:

• Congregation and community leaders

• Called staff (such as pastor, DCE, etc.)

• District leaders

• Parents (young and old)

• Other people of influence and affluence

Responsibilities

Steering committee members will be busy throughout the Genesis process. With the guidance and direction of the Genesis consultant, members are responsible for the following:

• Enlist and schedule individual interviewees and focus group participants

• Supply geographical information so the Genesis consultant can order the demographic study

• Gather and report information about local schools, both nonpublic and public

• Develop preliminary data for the Case for Support

• Distribute, collect, and record survey data

• Create a basic, trial business plan of anticipated operational costs and income

For more information on the Genesis Project please check out the Lutheran Ed Website: https://www.luthed.org/genesis-project-school-startup/