Why ELCA Certification?

Marilyn Stalheim, Westwood Lutheran, St. Louis Park, MN

     As Lutherans we believe that educating and nurturing young children are means of fulfilling our baptismal promise and our great commission to teach.  As we proceeded through the ELCA Ministry of the Congregation Recognition Program, a prerequisite to ELEA Early Childhood Program Certification, Westwood Lutheran Church and its Early Childhood Center, St. Louis Park, Minnesota, became deeply and meaningfully engaged in the conversation relating to our mission as a church and the role of the Center as a ministry of the church.  

     The very act of engaging interested church leadership in the issues of joint relationship in the areas of Mission and Ministry; Spiritual Formation; Governance; Administration; and Finance proved to be exceedingly beneficial.  Not only were new understandings and appreciations forged, but the process offered an open forum for collaborations which fostered creative thinking and problem solving.  In addition, the Center gamered exceptional positive attention in the church’s publications. 

     One very notable result was an increased interest and commitment to our Scholarship Fund by the congregational members as well as grateful graduates and grandparents.

     The ELEA Early Childhood Certification self-study which followed more notably engaged the teaching staff and resulted in great enthusiasm for pursuing high quality.

     Our question throughout the process was, “What is God calling us to be in this place now and in the future?”  The three key questions which accompany each area of study served to effectively guide our work:

·           Where are we now?

·           Where do we want to be?

·           What do we need to do to get there?

     I recommend the process with total faith in the benefits accrued.

Marilyn Stalheim served as Director of Westwood Early Childhood Center of Westwood Lutheran Church, St. Louis Park, Minnesota, and can be reached by email at m.stalheim@westwoodlutheran.org.

For more information on ELEA Early Childhood Program Certification and other ELEA member benefits and programs, including Elementary Accreditation, contact the ELEA National Office at 800-500-7644, email eleanational@cs.com, or visit our website at www.eleanational.org.