The word, "concordia," has been used and appreciated by Lutherans for almost 500 years. “Concordia” comes from the Book of Concord (Libris Concordia in Latin,) in which is found the common teachings of the Lutheran Church. The word is a beautiful one, made from two smaller words, "con-" (with/together) and "cordia" (heart), and it means "with one heart" or "together in heart". The image is that, though many and different, our spiritual heartbeat beats in such harmony with one another that it is as though we had only one heart. This commanding idea is the same as that of common confession, a common Christian Faith.
Many in today's relativistic world -- you know, where "everyone has their own version" but there is no "truth," much less "The Truth" -- deny that such unity could even exist. However, truth and falsehood are real, as common experience shows, and it is plain that it is best for our children when we teach them to know the differences. In absolute or spiritual matters, too, there is truth, and there are lies. As for absolute truth, our Father in heaven reveals it in His Word and gives it as a gift through the Gospel and Sacraments which bind us to Jesus Christ, our Life.
The Concordia Academy of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Concordia Academy of Good Shepherd Lutheran ChurchAs the name of our school, “Concordia” expresses the common confession of the Christian Faith of those who stand behind the school as members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, of Lutheran Church-Canada and of Lutherans throughout the world. Additionally, this word expresses our hope and desire to establish in our Lutheran Christian Private School a unity and a family-like environment that goes down to the heart. The “With one Heart” philosophy also serves to encourage and strengthen our students in their own families and as they grow into good neighbours at every level in our society (for a wonderful description of Luther's Seal pictured above, try the following link: http://www.goodshepherd.nb.ca/seal/ )
These things can never be forced, of course -- but neither do we need to leave them to chance. We intend to encourage such a community, by God's grace. Concordia Academy achieves this end by providing a safe and caring environment and staff, a high quality of education, and the simple but powerful Gospel of Jesus Christ, who has paid for all our sins on the cross and who gives us forgiveness, life, and joy. It was the members of our Good Shepherd congregation who chose the name "Concordia Academy" for our Lutheran Christian School.