On a warm, autumnal afternoon shortly after the start of the school year, a group of ten students came to me and asked, “Dr. Chen, can we scale up the impact of our work?” They were referring to the work they had done through the Trinity Institute for Leadership and Social Justice at our school. This enthusiastic group of juniors … Read More
Praying about my Future
Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. (Matthew 13:8) One of the things Jesus’ teachings do for us is give us a voracious appetite for the future. This is the conclusion of his famous parable about the farmer scattering seeds over hard, rocky, thorny and good soils. … Read More
Developing the Value Narrative
Dr. Steve Robinson, President of the Southern Association of Independent Schools, presents research and his expertise on independent school cost and value in this video. (Use the password “CCEI” to view it.) He discusses trends in tuition/financial aid as well as provides ways for Christian schools to discover and think about the value of their education and an understanding of financial trends in the independent school marketplace.
Do You Believe in Your Timothy?
“So, you think you can TED?,” asked Toni. He was not asking if I would have something worthwhile to say on the TED (Technology, Entertainment, and Design) stage. He was asking for my feedback on his novel concept: a TED style meeting of “So You Think You Can Dance?” To be honest, I had my doubts. Did he have clarity … Read More
Effective Christian Leadership: Before You Can Do It, You Have to Know It
Before you can teach and lead others, you have to live it. But in order to live it, you first have to know it. I experienced this (or better put, failed at this) in my first experience as the senior leader in an organization. To be honest, as I walked in the door I was questioning my own preparedness, unsure … Read More
Praying with Thanksgiving
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in … Read More
Effective Christian Leadership: God Has A Plan
The work of leadership is hard, and it is not for the faint-hearted. There are decisions to be made, problems to be addressed, challenges to be solved, tensions to be managed, conflicts to be resolved, tasks to be managed, and numerous other responsibilities that ultimately have an impact on many people. And add to that the work of leading and … Read More
Connecting Truth: Training a Movement of Teachers to Equip Students to Reflect Christ
In my previous post, focus was given to answering the questions, why do we make our students take bible classes and identifying the purpose of our bible departments. In this post, we will briefly examine and answer the remaining three questions and then identify best practices for schools that have defined and are measuring spiritual maturity in the context of equipping … Read More
Praying for My Hands, Knees and Heart
Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come…(Isaiah 35: 3-4) Isaiah is writing about the days of the Redeemer — our days. I wonder why he chose these three particular anatomical parts? My hands do the fine-work of my life — the writing, cleaning, cooking, touching. … Read More
The Disintegration of Faith and Learning, Part 1
In 1996, I was a young pastor tasked with the mission of adult ministry and discipleship at a medium sized church in the western suburbs of Chicago. As a graduate of a premier bible school and a product of growing up in the church since my infancy, it was shocking to me to recognize the truth that I was ill … Read More