The city is not as it seems. I moved to Philadelphia as a boy in the late 1980s. My father had been pastoring in rural Ohio, but he grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs and my grandfather grew up in South Philly, so I think my family thought this move was going to be some sort of a homecoming. The … Read More
Praying to Choose what is Better
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, … Read More
Hope Academy and Minneapolis
Hope Academy and Education Reform Can we really close the achievement gap between white students and students of color? My experience of working with families at Hope Academy for the last 15 years is that we can. However, most initiatives to close the achievement gap are based on misleading or superficial understandings of the root of the problem. Most leaders … Read More
Christian Schools and the City: An Introduction
This summer, Erik Ellefsen asked if I might write a piece kicking off a new series for CACE about Christian Schools in the City. While today I work with The Gospel Coalition, a group aimed primarily at church leaders, I continue to see Christian education as strategic for the gospel’s advance in our nation’s cities. I am not only a … Read More
Preparing Our Kids For The Innovation Era
Recently I read two very compelling books that offer some of the best recent synthesis of our current state of change in education. One focuses more on changes at the learner level and one takes a global perspective. Both come to similar conclusions as to where we should be heading. Given my enthusiasm for each book, I would like to … Read More
Praying to Trust in the Lord
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6) Heart. Ways. All. Part of my confidence in the Scriptures as a divine work-product is the quality of the writing: only God could use human writers to pack so much meaning … Read More
Praying to Serve
Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the … Read More
Marketing Research, Part 5: Brand Awareness & Perception
In the final installment on marketing research, I want to focus on how awareness and perception impact Christian schools. Awareness is critical to understanding how a school can increase its reach and perception impacts a school’s ability to capitalize on increased awareness. The two should be explored together because change in awareness impacts reach and change in perception impacts conversion. … Read More
Marketing Research, Part 4: Brand Positioning
When working with Christian schools all over the country, one of the first things I hear from leaders or those involved in Christian education is, “we are the best kept secret!” While to some extent this is true, most often your school is known. The problem is what is known is not very significant. In fact, awareness, we often find, … Read More
Effective Christian Leadership: Leading Through Restoration
Sometimes, you mess up. Sometimes things go wrong, you experience loss or defeat, you become overwhelmed by change, or you fall under insurmountable obstacles. Whether it’s your fault or not, it all falls apart, and then you experience shame, chastisement, rejection, and other consequences, and you’re left wondering what you are supposed to do next and questioning everything you’ve been … Read More