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What We Believe

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24

What We Believe

At Crean Lutheran High School, we believe that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God, and we subscribe to the three Ecumenical Creeds (Apostle's, Nicene, and Athanasian), as well as the Lutheran Confessions as accurate statements regarding the truth of God's Word.

We believe in the one true God, who has revealed Himself as Father, Son, and Spirit. We believe that humankind, created perfectly, went against God's will and brought sin into the world. Since then, all people have inherited that sin and are born sinful. We believe that people cannot save themselves by their good works. We believe that in order to save us, God sent His Son into the world. Jesus is both true God and true man. He lived to fulfill God's Law for us, died on the cross to pay the penalty that our sins deserved, and rose from the dead so that we might have eternal life. He ascended into heaven, and will come again to take all believers to Himself. We believe that because of Jesus' death, God declares a person righteous and forgiven. All those who believe in Jesus as Savior will be saved. We believe that this faith in Jesus is a gift of God, given by the power of the Holy Spirit. We believe that God uses His Word and the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper to apply His grace and forgiveness to us. Our worship and teaching, therefore, centers around these things.

Biblically Grounded

  • Honor the Bible as the standard by which we must evaluate all belief, instruction, policy, and practice (2 Timothy 3:16).
  • Remain true to our statement of faith (2 Timothy 1:13).

Spiritual Resources and Commitment

  • Stay in close fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Don’t give Him reason to say, “I have this against you, that you have left your first love”(Revelation 2:4).
  • Do the work of CLHS in the Lord’s wisdom, strength, and passions rather than trying to do it on our own or according to our own will. (Galatians 2:20; 3:3).
  • Show a consistent pattern of behavior that distinguishes us as the Lord’s people, whether on or off the job (1 Peter 1:14-15).
  • Always trust in God and do what is right (1 Peter 3:16).

Concern for Those We Serve

  • Provide the kind of personal, prompt, and practical attention that we would want for ourselves (2 Corinthians 4:5, 15).
  • Speak the truth in love. Avoid being unnecessarily offensive (2 Timothy 2:24).
  • Cultivate an open and honest relationship (2 Corinthians 4:2).

Relationship to the Whole Ministry

  • Recognize, respect, and support what the Lord is doing through all ministries of the church and school - not just our own area. (1 Corinthians 1:10-13).
  • Avoid any lifestyle or work-practice that would compromise our purpose or weaken our effectiveness (2 Corinthians 6:14).
  • Conduct our ministries in a way that supports, encourages, and complements the whole church (Ephesians 4:1-7).

CHARACTER OF SERVICE

  • Reflect Titus 2:7-8: “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”
  • Reflect the highest sexual moral integrity consistent with Scripture… celibacy when single, fidelity when married. (Ephesians 5:3).
  • Marriage, reflecting God’s love for His children, is to be honored and revered (1 Corinthians 7).
  • Support the Bible’s intent that marriage is between one man and one woman in a lifelong commitment. (Romans 1:18-23).
  • Avoid indebtedness (Romans 13:8).
  • Never make organizational survival the dominant motive for decisions (Philemon 1:19-26).
  • Avoid hubris and self-congratulation (Proverbs 27:2).

Qualifications for Leadership

  • Be servant leaders of evident ability and character (Exodus 18:21; 1 Timothy 3:1-13).

Quality of Service

  • Strive for a quality of workmanship and presentation that will dignify, strengthen, and enhance our message (1 Corinthians 10:31).
  • Be faithful stewards of every resource entrusted to us (1 Corinthians 4:2).

GENDER AND SEXUALITY

  • Biblical and Lutheran

    • Crean Lutheran roots all school policies in the Bible because we believe the Bible is the inspired, inerrant written Word of God and the only source of our theological doctrine. Our policies are consistent with the doctrine of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.

  • God’s Word on Gender

    • Each human being is created in the image of God as either male or female (Genesis 5:1-2). Accordingly, we affirm that gender cannot be chosen. Rather, it is a gift from God.              

    • Policy Examples:  

      • We do not use preferred pronouns: In addressing one another at Crean Lutheran High School, we use only the traditional masculine and feminine pronouns “he/him” and “she/her” as used consistently in Scripture (Genesis 5:1-2).

      • Men’s and Women’s Restrooms: Students enrolled at Crean Lutheran High School shall, when utilizing a multiple-occupancy restroom or locker room, utilize the facility corresponding to a student’s biological sex, as recorded on the student’s original birth certificate. As Crean Lutheran High School is a Registered Service Organization of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, the same policy applies to all guests on campus. Individual restrooms are also available for guests.

      • Boys’ and Girls’ Sports: Students enrolled in Crean Lutheran High School when participating in an athletic program offered by the school, will participate on the team that corresponds with the student’s biological sex, as recorded on the student’s original birth certificate, except that a biologically female student may seek to qualify to participate on a male team if a female team is not available for that sport. Exceptions will also be made when, due to low enrollment, a co-ed team is needed to be formed for the school to participate in a sport during a particular season.

  • God’s Word on Sexuality

    • We believe marriage is the union of one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24). All sexual activity is designed to take place within that God-given boundary of marriage. The family units formed on these principles provide the foundation for civil society. We believe that all sexual activity outside of God-given marriage between a husband and wife is a sin of which to repent and receive God’s forgiveness in Christ.

Plan for Evangelism"In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." 1 Peter 3:15

  1. Please see our Mission Statement, our Vision Statement, and our Schoolwide Learner Outcomes.
  1. Daily worship - corporate chapel and in-room devotions.
  1. A policy and practice of intentional Christian integration of witness, prayer, TLC, etc., in every aspect of the school -- from classroom settings to every team/sport/club.
  1. Respect of all persons and their current beliefs (while we are an overtly Christian school, it is not a requirement that students be Christian) within a context of a Christian community which, again, is respectful of all people, yet intentional and genuine regarding its commitment to Jesus Christ, Scripture, and Christian servant-leadership.  

Who We Are

Lutheran High School of South Orange County; DBA: Crean Lutheran High School (CLHS) is a Recognized Service Organization (RSO), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). CLHS is one of approximately 130 domestic and international Lutheran High Schools in the LCMS and one of 8 high schools in the Pacific Southwest District of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

As a Recognized Service Organization of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, our teachings, decisions, and beliefs regarding scripture, baptism, communion, moral and ethical matters, and current faith-related issues, match those of LCMS. We respect, and actively work to support the doctrine and practices of the Synod.

For a detailed and comprehensive collection of statements addressing specific issues relating to Scripture, Baptism, Communion, moral and ethical matters, current faith-related issues, and other FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions), please regularly visit the following web site: www.lcms.org. To read more about the beliefs and practices visit http://www.lcms.org/belief-and-practice.