Mr. Patrick Steckbeck
God converted Patrick at the age of sixteen through the preaching of the Holy Gospel. Since then, he has lived a life continually studying the Scriptures and Theologians of the church so that, though them, he might see God in the face of Christ. He taught Theology, Logic, and Rhetoric at a Classical Christian school in Texas for four years before moving to Florida to serve as the founding headmaster of Grace Lutheran Academy. He is excited about Confessional Lutheran Theology, Classical education, and the history of Western Philosophy. He has an undergraduate degree in Theological studies from Reformation Bible College and a Master’s degree in Philosophy from Holy Apostles College and Seminary. He and his wife Alexa make their home in Florida with their two beloved sons, Ryker and Soren.
Is a Lutheran-Classical Hybrid School Right for Your Congregation?
Want to start a school for less than $50,000? With a Pastor that is zealous for Lutheran-Classical education, many congregations have the potential for a hybrid school. Many LCMS churches have classrooms that, week after week, go unused except for Sundays. Further, they have former school teachers in the congregation who, though they don’t want to work full-time, are happy to work part-time. Some even have a cohort of homeschooling families who would love additional support in Christian education. In other words, they have the leader, the space, the teachers, and the students to make this project a go. These churches should consider investing in forming a hybrid school. The term “hybrid” is used to describe schools that don’t follow the 8:30-3:30 five-day a week model of schooling. For Grace Lutheran Academy, a ministry of Grace Lutheran Church, students go to school from 8:30-2:30P.M, Tuesday-Thursday. Our Lutheran-Classical program includes Catechesis, English, Latin, History, Science, and Mathematics. Our school began with just three students in our first year; this year, we have nineteen students, and we’re looking at thirty-five to forty students for the 2026-2027 school year (our third year). We draw Christian homeschooling families from the LCMS and beyond and support them in their God-given responsibility to train up their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. In all likelihood, we’ll balance our budget and then some for the upcoming school year. In this talk, I’ll speak autobiographically about my experience as a founding headmaster of a Lutheran, Classical, Hybrid school, some of the challenges I faced, and how I believe congregations can assess if the hybrid model is right for them. These hybrid schools, as a mercy ministry for homeschooling families, when paired with an excellent catechetical program, can also serve the ends of outreach for a congregation. More than that, as a servant to the office of the Holy Ministry, they help congregations train up Jesus’ little lambs for service in Christ’s Kingdom.