Melanie Giddings
Elizabeth Melott
Rev. Ben Reichel
Tuesday, Jan 24
3:15 – 4:30 pm
Building a Lutheran Worldview in the Next Generation
Nearly 60 percent of Lutheran elementary school graduates leave the church by their 20s. That should stop us in our tracks. Churches can’t ignore the reality that something is broken if our own schools—designed to form young believers—are losing them in such numbers. Are we satisfied simply offering quality Christian education, or do we want our schools to be a mission strategy that disciples lifelong Lutherans?
This session explores how schools and churches can work together to instill a Lutheran worldview that lasts. That means more than having religion class. It means building curriculum, classroom culture, and teacher modeling around the gospel and Lutheran identity. What are we truly forming in our children: moralism or grace? cultural niceness or biblical clarity? When Lutheran schools focus on shaping both knowledge and values—both minds and hearts—they become more than educational institutions. They become disciple-making communities. Join us as we reflect on where we’ve fallen short, what we can do better, and how we can faithfully raise up the next generation in Christ.
Melanie Giddings has served in WELS schools as a classroom teacher for 13 years and as a curriculum director for 11 years for Lutheran elementary schools, FVL Schools, and currently as a member of the WELS Lutheran Schools team. In this role, her main duty has been organizing the work around the development of the next Lutheran theology curriculum for our WELS schools and centers. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Martin Luther College (STEP– math) and master’s degree from Wisconsin Lutheran College (curriculum and instruction). Melanie resides in Jackson, Wis., with her husband, John, and three children: Faith (15), Samuel (13), and Thaddeus (10). She finds great joy in and feels the humbling privilege of serving God and his people in whatever direction God takes her.
Elizabeth Melott has been an early childhood educator in Arkansas, Texas, and most recently Wisconsin, serving children ages birth through third grade in a variety of WELS settings. Currently, she joyfully serves as the director of Lambs of Christ Learning Center in Pewaukee, Wis., a birth through 4K ministry of Christ Lutheran Church. Elizabeth has a passion for early childhood, a love of learning, and holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in early childhood education. Her husband is also a called worker, serving middle school students at St. John’s, Wauwatosa, Wis. Together they have three children and value time together exploring God’s creation. Whether at school or home, she feels there is no greater privilege than sharing with children who they really are—loved and forgiven children of God!
Rev. Ben Reichel is the youth and young adult pastor at St. Mark Ministries in Green Bay and De Pere, Wis., where he serves as school pastor, oversees youth ministries and Family Catechism, and preaches. He earned an MDiv from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (2014) and is pursuing a master of sacred theology focused on education. Ben began ministry by planting a new mission congregation in Fulshear, Texas, then served seven years at Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School teaching religion and Latin and coaching varsity football. As a member of the Theology Curriculum Task Force Steering Committee, he helped shape a Scripture-based curriculum faithful to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions and aligned with best practices in education at all levels.
