Two Congregations, One Purpose

Trinity Lutheran Church, Nashville, and St. John’s Lutheran Church, New Minden, have supported Christian Day Schools since they were organized in (St. John’s in 1846; Trinity in 1886). In 1974, the two congregations consolidated their schools into one: Trinity- St. John Lutheran School. God has richly blessed this union as each congregation share both the solemn responsibilities and the rich blessings of the school. This consolidation has made possible a high quality Christian education for the children of both congregations.
The Preamble of the Solemn Agreement between the two congregations accurately emphasizes that the two share a common purpose:

• “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.”
• “To the glory of the Triune God and in obedience to His Holy Word, the congregation of St. John’s Lutheran Church, New Minden, Illinois and Trinity Lutheran Church, Nashville, Illinois do hereby enter into A Solemn Agreement to conduct and maintain a Christian Day School for the education and for the spiritual growth of all children of both congregations. Mindful of the commands of the Sacred Scriptures in Deuteronomy 6:6, “these commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children,” and in Ephesians 6:4, “Fathers do not exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord,” and trusting in the sacred promises written in Proverbs 22:6, “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it,” and also Isaiah 54:13, “All your sons will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children’s peace,” we do mutually agree to associate ourselves in a common endeavor to educate our children in a Christian manner.”

Each congregation supports the school financially and prayerfully.  They also each elect three members to sit on the Trinity-St. John Board of Education. Other board members include the pastors of the two congregations (ex- officio), the principal (advisory) and the treasurer of Trinity Lutheran Church (advisory), who serves as treasurer of the school.
May God continue to bless this joint endeavor with His grace!

Why Choose a Christian School? 

The members of Trinity Lutheran Church, Nashville, and St. John’s Lutheran Church, New Minden, give thanks to God for the many fine public schools our community enjoys. We support their work, we work with them whenever possible, and we do not wish to compete with them. However, besides providing a solid education as they do, we seek certain objectives which, by law, even the best public schools cannot pursue, namely:

• To assist parents, both members of Trinity and St. John’s and other interested parents, in the Christian training of their children. Parents, after all, are the most important Christian teachers their children will ever have, and God himself charges: “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4.
• As an arm of Trinity and St. John’s congregations, to carry out the mandate of Christ to His Church: “Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you,” Matthew 28: 19-20; which mandate is followed by His promise: “Surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age” Matthew 28:20.
• To bring our children into frequent and thorough contact with the “power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Romans 1:16
• To lead our students to see all of life from the perspective of Christ and His inerrant word—including all subject areas, all activities in the daily routine, all interpersonal relationships, and every calling of life and society.
• To train children for responsible and active participation in worship and congregational life.
• To bring home, church, and school together so that our children may grow intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially, as Jesus did: “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men,” Luke 2:52.
• To lead our children in a Christian life of wisdom, freedom, and happiness on earth; and ultimately, to receive God’s free gift of eternal life in heaven.
• To provide opportunity for families to be brought, by the Spirit’s power, into eternal life-giving fellowship with Christ.

Accreditation 

Trinity-St. John Lutheran School has earned accreditation through the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod's accrediting body, National Lutheran School Accreditation. 
Trinity-St. John Lutheran School is fully recognized as a Nonpublic School by the Illinois State Board of Education. Recognition was received during the 2021-2022 school year and is renewed annually.  

Non Discrimination Policy

Trinity-St. John Lutheran School does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing a Christian and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, students, families and volunteers.