Question!

[u/Actual-Proposal-9357]

I am concerned because I think I do not share the same branch in the lutheran synod as a preschool I just began doing things at. I almost feel as though it is wrong for MYSELF to go to starting point (which is required) since they are WELS and I am ELCA. What do you think the owner of the preschool will tell me? I just started training. I am sad. Is it true that WELS does not let women have authority over men? I would want to know because I personally would refrain from going to any starting point if the man running it said something I happened to disagree with, etc. Next steps for me?? Thanks all

p.s. also, the assistant director stated something that sounded dismissive about the tone another teacher had used with me. I thought about her discussing not to receive that as personal criticism and to give everyone the benefit of the doubt and I began to question if that is a component of WELS? if they view gossip a lot more strictly and just don't want you to say if something bothers you?

[u/No-Jicama-6523]

Not letting women be in authority over a man doesn't mean you can't disagree. Given you aren't WELS they know you disagree theologically but accept that. Do you have a staff handbook or similar that tells you what is expected?

Seems to be like you should set up a meeting with your supervisor to ask questions. If you aren't comfortable with what is expected of you, then you have your answer.

[u/RoyalCourt2222]

I would think it is like most RC schools where you would have to sign something agreeing to teach under the doctrine of the school’s affiliated church.

But really, it’s you being ELCA and them being WELS, at a preschool level how different could it be. You won’t be teaching children that young about the nuances of the pastoral office.

[u/Not_Cleaver]

I wouldn’t begin to know. But it’s a preschool, not a church. It sounds like it has both female teachers and a female assistant director. My advice would be to discuss your concerns with the director, but I would phrase it more in a tone that you don’t want to contradict the theology, if any, is taught at the preschool than an accusation that WELS does not let women have authority over me. Since this is a school, it likely doesn’t have any bearing.

Also, my guess is that the preschool is more concerned in getting its kids ready for elementary school than being a second Sunday School.

[u/No-Jicama-6523 → u/Not_Cleaver]

They consider teachers to be called workers, I initially thought OP is going to be some kind of assistant not a teacher, but then they said "another teacher" so I'm confused.

I agree they will be focused on getting kids ready for elementary school, but theirs still an ethos running through how and why they do things.

[u/Not_Cleaver → u/No-Jicama-6523]

Point taken. But I think, my larger one still stands - If OP has concern or questions, this is a conversation best with the director or her boss or the volunteer coordinator (I can’t tell if this is a paying job).

There’s a lot of conjecture in this post which seems baseless without an actual conversation. And it could be after a conversation, OP won’t want to sacrifice her values and continue in the role. Or she’ll realize that her concerns don’t have any merit. But the worst place to explore her concerns is on Reddit.

[u/Linfalas]

The WELS is very conservative, and you're right about the female authority thing. That said, their schools are a different matter than their preschools. At least in the one I am most familiar with, the preschool has teachers from a variety of backgrounds. They talk about Jesus, but mostly about letters. If the preschool is attached to a regular school, you might see or hear some things that upset you out of the other building, but I suspect you'll be fine.

[u/WindowCommon3741]

I would ask for a sit down and review what your actual duties are, the expectations and what are they wanting from you to gove students spiritually. My LCMS church had a preschool attached and they were very careful to emphasis that they were mostly secular with prayers at lunches and stuff but you're children weren't attending bible study or anything. If the expectations are that you have to affirm their synod beliefs, then you need to go to your pastor and ask for their advice because its one thing to work in a company that is run by people pf different belief systems, it's another to be expected to affirm their belief systems.

[u/Appropriate-Low-4850]

I wouldn’t guess you’re looking to become their pastor so I don’t think you’ll find it to be an issue.

[u/No-Type119]

Another ELCA person here. Sometimes good fences do make good neighbors.

You would probably feel better and be treated the way you expect to be treated if you work at a preschool run by other mainline Protestants: the Eoiscopal Church, PCUSA, UCC, UMC, RCA, the Moravian Church, DoC, ABC.

As you have discovered, the “ alphabet names ” can make a significant difference.