What the Great Chicago Fire Can Teach Us

As many of you know, I grew up outside of the great city of Chicago. But this urban area was not always a modern one. Over 140 years ago, Chicago was a bustling town of ramshackle wood structures. One evening changed all that. On the evening of Sunday, October 8th, 1871, a fire of unknown origin (often colorfully attributed to Mrs. O'Leary's cow) made its way through the city on a warm and windy evening, burning on through the next day until finally being extinguished on October 10th. A significant portion of the city (see the colored map) was destroyed. While only 300 people died in the fire, an estimated 100,000 were rendered homeless.

The Chicago of 1871 was living on the edge of disaster. Growing far faster than city services, water borne diseases and epidemics were on the rise. Unsafe structures abounded in the city. Most residents lived in dilapidated dwellings. The city, while growing, was also dying. Some reformers recognized this and called for action. Others saw the issues but hoped for the best -- that the city would be able to survive and thrive despite its issues, contrary to common sense.

In the end, a near total destruction of the city brought about a vibrant new era. Post-fire Chicago had the opportunity to rebuild completely, utilizing new materials, such as fireproof steel, in major buildings, creating city plans for water, lighting and transportation, and developing new building styles that would make Chicago renowned around the world for its variety of unique and exquisite architecture.

In other words, destruction needed to take place to bring about change. I have been pondering whether this is the case for many Lutheran schools. Many schools are living in the patterns of the past, recognizing that the world is changing around them, but hoping to survive -- hoping for the best. In short, they act like the Chicago of 1871.

In my view, many of these schools will not survive. While this is heartbreaking on many levels, especially for those schools which have significant institutional histories, perhaps this is necessary in order for them to be re-built. Instead of rebuilding with steel, we can rebuild schools with flexible structures and governance, emphases on collaboration, project-based learning, increased student ownership of learning and inquiry, that better model real work experiences. These are needed to be able to share the timeless truths of God, His love, and His forgiveness and salvation to our Digital Age world and culture. We can adapt or rebuild with educational opportunities that leverage digital and online tools, with flexible face-to-face, blended, and online models, meeting the needs of each uniquely gifted child of God in very personal ways.

We can stand by, hoping for the best, and perhaps watch Lutheran schools as they have been traditionally structured "face the fire." Or we can now actively, intentionally, and joyfully embrace the changes that we see needing to be made. The choice is ours.