During a new family interview, a father paused before asking a question that carried more weight than he likely intended. “Can you tell me more about the academic program here? Is it better than what I experienced?” He went on to explain that he had attended a Christian school himself but felt unprepared for college and eventually dropped out. “I … Read More
An Invitation to Imagine: Unity, Partnership, and Shared Mission
Imagine a Christian school where the common thread holding the staff, leadership, parents, and students together was a shared understanding of the gospel (the creation-fall-redemption-restoration narrative of God’s work in the world) and the fundamental truths that have historically defined orthodox Christianity. What if that understanding, and that alone, was the litmus test for a school’s mission, academics, culture, and … Read More
An Invitation To Imagine: Christian Education in 2035
Listen in on the conversations of friends who lead Christian schools, dialogues that happen over coffee, during late-night calls, and in ongoing virtual discussions about this uniting mission we call Christian education. What you will find is that these conversations keep circling back to the same questions: Where are we going? What’s in store for our future? We’ve come so … Read More
A Heart of Gratitude: Thanksgiving Reflections from an Interim Principal
As Thanksgiving quickly approaches, I invite you to press “pause” so you can reflect on the abundant blessings God continually pours into our lives. In the spirit of I Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all circumstances,” I am grateful for the opportunity I have had to serve as part-time head of school and principal at a local PK-8 Christian school. … Read More
Schools that Inspire: Do you Belong?
A Short Review of 2024-25 This year’s Schools that Inspire series showcases an extraordinary array of Christian schools around the world, each deeply rooted in its cultural context yet unified by a common mission to nurture students in faith and learning. From Memphis to Ghana, England to Indonesia, and Guatemala to British Columbia, the featured schools exemplify innovative approaches to … Read More
Standing on Shoulders: Honoring the Good Work of Dan Beerens
In the world of distinctly Reformed Christian education, few individuals I know have left as indelible a mark as my good friend Dan Beerens.
Four Reasons Christian Schools Need Adaptive Leaders
Adaptive Leaders use a particular approach to facilitate significant organizational change. These changes help an organization to adapt and thrive under new circumstances.
Steward Leadership and Christian Schools
As one considers a relationship between Steward leadership and experience within an organization, there seems to be a connection. Steward leadership approaches to decision-making is evidenced in the way school leaders operate with their leadership team and in leadership team meetings.
Celebrate and Imagine #4: Ron Polinder–70 Years of Christian Education
When I think of a Christian education leader who combines the best of prophet, priest, and king leadership, my mind turns to Ron Polinder. Formed by the routine and discipline of farm life and educated in K-18 Christian schools, Ron is someone whose life and career passionately reconciles his deep faith with his vocational practice. Along with many others, I … Read More
Celebrate and Imagine #2: Engaging God’s World
Plantinga shares the lament expressed in Jeremiah but also the hope of shalom. Shalom is “the background vision for Christian education.” He calls Christian educators to be “the kinds of people who want shalom and work every day toward it–that is what a Christian education is all about.”