It just didn’t feel completely right, but I was acting on a combination of how I had been taught and the current prevailing wisdom, even though I was uncomfortable with the ideas and principles behind what I was doing. How many of us have had this thought as we work in our chosen field of education? We engage in practice … Read More
Is Your School Willing and Ready?
International students are coming! In fact, as you may know, they’re already here…and more are on the way. While U.S. colleges and universities have long been the destination of choice for undergraduate and graduate students around the world, increasing numbers of students are now making the journey to the land of the free and home of the brave at a … Read More
Effective Christian Leadership: Prepare Yourself to Lead
Do you remember your first opportunity to serve in a leadership capacity? I do. I remember feeling like I was not ready, but putting on a front to convey the opposite. I was young, and had accepted a position as the head of small Christian school. I knew how to teach, because I had been doing so for a number … Read More
2014 Year in Review
On behalf of Sid & Carol Verdoorn and the Center for the Advancement of Christian Education, we offer our 2014 year in review. It has been a wonderful first year, filled with blessings and opportunities to advance the cause of Christian education. We look forward to continued conversations and partnerships with you as we seek to advocate for, promote, sustain, and innovate Christian education throughout North America. May God continue to bless your work as ambassadors in His Kingdom. Happy New Year!
Changing Views on Church: Considering The Impact on Christian Schooling
There has been much written recently on the changing attitudes towards church in American culture. It is doubtful that many of us are surprised at what the data is showing; a shrinking percentage of people feel church involvement is a priority. The data is particularly concerning for Gen Xers (ages 48-30) and Millennials (29 and younger). A March 25, 2014 study by … Read More
Praying for the Shepherdless Sheep
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are … Read More
Empower Your Timothy
“As I’ve been pondering empowerment, I realized that I certainly don’t have to go far to come across people that I’ve encountered who have truly been empowered. One of the most vivid examples was this past summer when, after she returned from her three week trip to Nepal, my cousin and I met in a cozy coffee shop in Downtown … Read More
For Christian Education?
When we say we are for something, what does that mean? When we say we want something, what does that look like? I have been involved with Christian education now for almost 20 years professionally. As a graduate student, I chose Christian education and as a parent, I have chosen it as well. When we say we are pro-Christian education, I think a question that needs to be asked is what does that mean?
Navigating the Ed Policy Storms: Are you Connected?
Pulling a good network together takes effort, sincerity, and time. – Alan Collins Over the past few months, I proposed that each Christian school leader must answer the following questions about their institution in order to navigate a way through the current turbulence in education policy: Why does your school exist? (Part I) What makes your school distinct? (Part II) How … Read More
Praying to Look for Lost Sheep
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and … Read More