“Get in Lutheran, we’re going to help our community.”

After I spoke up during the June school board meeting, a community member whom I hadn’t met reached out to show her support and appreciation.

She gave me a blue t-shirt that reads, “Get in Lutheran, we’re going to help our community.”

I love the sentiment behind this. When I wear it, people know that I care about my neighbors and it’s an invitation to help join the cause!

What I’ve learned in the last decade serving in Forest Lake is that this community, while politically divided, can show incredible unity when it comes to caring for each other, especially if we’re talking about youth.

Anytime Faith Lutheran organizes youth activities, there’s tremendous financial support, as well as volunteers willing to step in.

When the local schools ask congregations like Faith for help, whether it’s through covering school lunch debts, sending snacks, school supplies, or clothing, there is always an abundance of items that come in.

Why?

Just watch a recent school board meeting or read the letters to the editor to know to see the depths of concern when it comes to children. Forest Lake community members are dedicated to setting up our youth to succeed. We want every student to have the opportunity to thrive. When we see students put in positions where they might be disadvantaged, we will speak up.

Superintendent Steve Massey has done a masterful job in his role at leading FLAS through a five-year strategic plan. One of the belief statements is that there is collaboration between the school, home, and community to have a positive impact on all stakeholders. I see this as the school intentionally seeking partnerships with businesses, churches, and community partners.

Many community members who have spoken up to the school board are also prominent leaders in congregations in the FL area. They see the work that the school is doing as a collaborative relationship with their faith life. 

As the school board met in July, a resolution was passed that any individual directed to leave a school board meeting over disruptive behavior will be suspended from district-related committees, advisory councils, or similar activities for six months. Where will the line be drawn on what is considered disruptive? Were my comments speaking to the theological significance of hate symbols remaining out of the school considered disruptive, since it goes against the proposed change? If I speak again, will I be suspended?

There was a motion to review any vendor who speaks up at a school board meeting to reevaluate that relationship. Would that be extended to churches, rotary, local organizations that provide coordinated care? Why are we struggling so hard to collaborate right now? The community is eager to intervene and do what’s right for our students.

It feels like we’re not spending as much time talking about the students. I’m excited to spend next week in the Boundary Waters with 5 Forest Lake High School seniors who attend Faith Lutheran. I want to know what they think about the recent developments and how it’s affecting them or other classmates.

These students are leaders. I want to hear what the community can do to support them. But I will also encourage them to use their voices and speak up.

It doesn’t matter what age you are, the message still applies: get in Lutheran (or Methodist, or Catholic, or Humanist, or megachurch attender), we’re all going to help our community.    

Pastor John Klawiter is the senior pastor of Faith Lutheran Church, an ELCA congregation in Forest Lake. For more information, email him at