International students are here to stay. They are a booming business in secondary and post-secondary educational systems, and the US is more intent on opening up expanded visa opportunities for students than ever before. Last year International students brought $27 billion dollars in revenues to the US alone. How can Christian Schools responsibly educate and effectively minister to International students? … Read More
Religious Freedom
Interesting perspective on the critical importance of religion to democracy by Harvard professor, Clayton Christensen. Democracy works because people, most of the time, follow the rules. A majority of Americans, in the past, attended church. They learned that they were accountable to God as well as to society. As churches disappear at an alarming rate and religions lose their influence, what institutions will still teach Americans about democracy and to Whom they are accountable?
Effective Christian Leadership: Ezra’s Model of Team Leadership
As I have studied the book of Ezra (and I’m not sure why I did, but I think it originally had something to do with being struck by a particular verse – Ezra 7:10 – which in turn piqued my interest and led to a lengthy study) I have learned many lessons that were personally valuable for my spiritual growth. … Read More
Our Quest for Congruence, Part 1
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