As I have met with Christian school
school can do that a non-Christian school
Vibrant
leaders and board members around the
can never do: give their students a thor-
Christian Schools:
country, I have found many of them to
oughly biblical worldview education. Our
Know why
be unclear as to the exact reasons for
government schools cannot give a child a
their school’s existence. When asked,
biblical worldview because it is illegal.
they exist
they give answers like:
A vibrant Christian school’s primary
A. “Our school exists because our teachers
mission is to teach children to see God’s
are more loving and caring than non-Chris-
hand at work in every sphere of study. This
tian school teachers.” I quickly dispel this notion
does not in any way mean that Christian schools
because we all know many Christian teachers who work in
are glorified Sunday schools. Test scores show that Christian
non-Christian schools. Even many non-Christian teachers
schools are doing an exceptional job preparing students
care deeply about their students.
academically. More importantly, they are educating
B. “Our class sizes are smaller.” I tell them that this is not
students with the absolute truth of God and His Word as
exclusive to Christian schools.
the foundation.
C. “We don’t have all the bad kids.” I quickly ask them if they
When Christian schools fail to understand
have ever been to a Christian school.
their primary mission, they begin to die.
D. “We deserve to exist because we have been here a long
People will not invest the energy and
time.” Non-sense!
resources necessary to keep a Christian
After hearing these and many other answers, I try to help
school open unless there is a vital reason
them understand that there is only one thing a Christian
to do so.
"One thing a Christian school can do that a non-Christian
school can never do: give their students a thoroughly
biblical worldview education."
This may sound like a no-brainer, but
Vibrant Christian schools find creative
Vibrant
I mention it because a large majority of
ways to bring strong leadership onto
Christian Schools:
Christian schools are struggling to find
their team. Often, they will find a proven
Have strong
effective leaders. Many believe this is
leader from a field outside education
because Christian schools are not able
who feels called into the ministry. Good
leadership
to pay administrators and teachers what
leaders can adapt to almost any environ-
non-Christian schools can pay. This is no
ment and surround themselves with people
doubt a factor, but I believe a greater factor is a
who have expertise in areas where they do not.
problem of perception. When sharp young educa-
Leadership is critical! Find good leaders and they
tors believe that Christian schools are not serious about
will find a way to make your school vibrant. Fail to find good
providing high-quality education, they go another way.
leaders, and your school will have little chance of vibrancy.
More importantly, when educators fail to understand the
As we think about strong leadership in schools, we must
worldview conflict in education, they do not see the need
consider the necessity of two types of leaders on every
to make sacrifices so that the next generation will develop a
school team. Vibrant schools have found a healthy balance
biblical worldview.
between educational leaders and entrepreneurial leaders.
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