by Andrew Prusinski
I love how God guides His followers. Scripture is full of stories of divine encounters, steps of faith illuminated by the Word, and everyday events that tell an eternal story. It’s through these stories that we can see how God guides His people to participate in the work of God. Why God chooses us, I may never know, but I trust that God’s ways are higher than mine! There are even examples of Jesus leading His followers to ask the right questions. For example, in Matthew chapter 9, Jesus encourages his disciples to “ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” after having “compassion” on the crowds. God’s compassion leads to God’s guidance which leads to God raising up workers in the harvest field.
How has God given you eyes of compassion? How has God guided your prayers? How has God raised you up and empowered you to raise up others to work in the harvest field?
Before the ALSS FACT Leadership Development Program, there was something called SLED. I’m sure that many of you are familiar with these programs designed to identify, encourage, and prepare future school leaders. The reason for their existence is that the “harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” Not only that, faithful people have listened to Jesus when He asked us to pray for God to send out workers into the harvest field. As a participant of SLED ‘15, I know personally how God has worked through these programs.
There are a lot of people that are career driven and blessed with a vision for long-term plans and positions. I am not one of those people. As the Principal of Lutheran High School East in Cleveland Heights, I have a vision for our school and for our students … just less of a vision for where I’m going to be in five years. This was especially true back in 2014 when I was invited to participate in SLED. Thankfully, someone saw what God was doing in me, described the need, and encouraged me to take a step of faith. Many of the lessons that I learned through SLED have stayed with me and shaped my leadership.
At a 2014 SLED conference, Rich Robertson, who at the time was the President and CEO of the Lutheran Church Extension Fund, said, “Do not be surprised by change.” It’s a simple statement, and an incredible challenge. I jotted those words down in the margin of a notebook and have periodically come across them in the years since. Those words rang in my ears as changes came flying at us this year at a furious pace. Throughout the course of the year, it has become clear to me that I cannot be prepared for every situation that is going to come my way. However, by having a spirit of readiness and willingness to follow where Jesus is leading, our students will be well served despite the changes that have come our way.
We are blessed at Lutheran East to serve some wonderful students and families, and to have a staff and faculty who are equipped and excited for our ministry. One of our lead teachers is currently participating in the FACT Program, and I remember having a sense of fear about what that would mean for his future at Lutheran East. I quickly realized how that thought was too small and confining, especially considering what God is doing to build up new leaders! I’d like to challenge you, and by doing so challenge myself, to provide opportunities for faculty and staff to grow and take on new challenges. Who is God raising up to be a future school leader?
I want to encourage you and offer this reminder that God is moving through you to serve your students and school. I pray that if your eyes are heavy with the tiredness of this year, that God would bless you with renewed compassion. Lastly, would you join me by asking God to continue to raise up new workers as the harvest is plentiful!
Andrew Prusinski is the Principal at Lutheran High School East in Cleveland. He can be reached at aprusinski@lutheraneast.org.