I had the awesome privilege of attending the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Student Leadership Conference in conjunction with Student Leadership University (SLU) 101 last week in Orlando with 14 of our MCS upper school students and two chaperones. The only word that begins to describe the week is "unbelievable." We were challenged to become leaders that are:
1. Convinced of God's calling to leadership
2. Conscious of our attitude, future and others
3. Competent of our Christian world-view, components of leadership, and our responsibilities
4. Contagious in our Christianity
5. Confident in our role as an emerging leader
To say that those five topics even scratched the surface would not do justice to all of the other sessions in which we were involved. I can honestly say that this was some of the best leadership training I have been involved in over the past 20+ years in Christian education. Our students were trained in the top-notch Franklin-Covey model of prioritizing goals, tasks, and appointments. They participated in the D.I.S.C. personality profile. We heard from leaders in business, leadership, and education. We spent several hours with Dr. Daniel L. Akin, Ph. D. learning "How to Think Like a Christian In a Counter-Christian Culture" as we looked at Ten Foundational Beliefs of a Christian Worldview. For more information please see Dr. Akin's website at http://www.danielakin.com/.
We also spent time behind the scenes at Sea World in some incredible training venues. Of course the day at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure was a lot of fun as well. Dr. Strack told the students in the very first session that they were going to work hard and play hard. He was correct. If you would like more information about Student Leadership University, you can check them out at their website as well, http://www.studentleadership.net/.
I am so proud of our students for their commitment to expanding their horizons and for taking the challenge to go and learn how to lead as Jesus did, through service to others.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Verse 8
I was challenged at church last week to make note of some of my favorite scriptures. As I was writing them down, I realized that many of them came from the 8th verse of a particular chapter. I thought I would share them with you this week, as they encouraged me through God's Word.
My life verse, Micah 6:8, "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
A great reminder of our culture war, Colossians 2:8, "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ."
A tribute to Christ's love for us, Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
God's gift to us, Ephesians 2:8, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God."
Light in the darkness, Ephesians 5:8, " For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light."
Rejoice in the Lord, Philippians 4:8, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice."
Jesus is the same, Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
Love covers, I Peter 4:8, "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."
My life verse, Micah 6:8, "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
A great reminder of our culture war, Colossians 2:8, "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ."
A tribute to Christ's love for us, Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
God's gift to us, Ephesians 2:8, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God."
Light in the darkness, Ephesians 5:8, " For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light."
Rejoice in the Lord, Philippians 4:8, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice."
Jesus is the same, Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
Love covers, I Peter 4:8, "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."
Monday, April 7, 2008
Encouraged?
I love people who encourage me. In fact, I don't know if I have ever heard someone complain about someone being too encouraging. We all need to be encouraged. Students seek encouragement from parents, teachers, and friends. Adults look for encouragement from spouses, friends, and employers. Encouragement motivates us to do things that seem too difficult. It helps us get through a tough situation. The dictionary.com website defines it this way.
Encourage
–verb (used with object), -aged, -ag·ing.
1. to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence: His coach encouraged him throughout the marathon race to keep on running.
2. to stimulate by assistance, approval, etc.: One of the chief duties of a teacher is to encourage students.
How is your encouragement profile? Do you encourage those around you, or do you point out their faults and failures? I was reminded this past weekend that I have the less than desirable attribute at times of pointing out an area needing improvement in one of my kids after a ball game, instead of pointing out and encouraging them in the things they did well.
One of the main reasons I began this blog was to be an encouragement to others. I hope that to some extent that is why you are reading these words today. Wouldn't it be a tremendous testimony to our school if we were known by others as a school that encourages one another? I have the privilege of seeing our staff encourage students, families, and one another through some difficult situations. I have seen our families reach out to each other in times of need. Isn't that one of the main reasons we partner together in the education of children? We are here to encourage.
"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus." Romans 15:5
Encourage
–verb (used with object), -aged, -ag·ing.
1. to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence: His coach encouraged him throughout the marathon race to keep on running.
2. to stimulate by assistance, approval, etc.: One of the chief duties of a teacher is to encourage students.
How is your encouragement profile? Do you encourage those around you, or do you point out their faults and failures? I was reminded this past weekend that I have the less than desirable attribute at times of pointing out an area needing improvement in one of my kids after a ball game, instead of pointing out and encouraging them in the things they did well.
One of the main reasons I began this blog was to be an encouragement to others. I hope that to some extent that is why you are reading these words today. Wouldn't it be a tremendous testimony to our school if we were known by others as a school that encourages one another? I have the privilege of seeing our staff encourage students, families, and one another through some difficult situations. I have seen our families reach out to each other in times of need. Isn't that one of the main reasons we partner together in the education of children? We are here to encourage.
"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus." Romans 15:5
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Kingdom Education
Since the beginning of our school in 1995, we have sought to teach from a distinctively Biblical worldview perspective. It would be difficult to fully explain and define the many ways in which we work diligently to teach and lead in this manner. However, those who have been connected with MCS over the years would be able to identify many of the ways in which we train staff, students and families to look at the surrounding world through the lens of God's Word and Biblical principles. For instance, every year our staff is engaged in their own training through conferences, workshops, weekly school wide staff development meetings, church involvement, chapel programs and Christian school accreditation to name a few. Students are given classroom and field trip opportunities to examine and learn more about the world, themselves and God. We also have several parenting opportunities throughout the year to help train and lead our families.
What makes us different or distinct? God's plan! We have also used the book by Dr. Glen Schultz, "Kingdom Education" as a model for our program. With permission, I have included the definition of Kingdom education and listed the 10 Biblical principles from the book along with their respective scripture references. It is my hope that every family at MCS would understand and seek to educate with these ideas in mind.
Kingdom Education is defined as: the life-long, Bible-based, Christ-centered process of leading a child into a new identity with Christ, developing a child according to his/her specific abilities given to him by Christ, so that a child would be empowered to live a life characterized by love, trust and obedience to Christ.
Biblical Principles of Kingdom Education
1. The education of children and youth is the primary responsibility of parents. Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:18-21; Psalms 78;1-7; Psalms 127:3; Proverbs 22:6; Malachi 2:13-16; Ephesians 6:4
2. The education of children and youth is a 24 hour-a-day, 7 days-per-week process that continues from birth till maturity.
Deuteronomy 6:7; 11:19; Proverbs 22:6
3. The education of children and youth must have as its primary goals the salvation of and discipleship of the next generation.
Psalms 78:6-7; Matthew 28:19-20
4. The education of children and youth must be based on God’s Word as absolute truth. Matthew 24:35; Psalms 119
5. The education of children and youth must hold Christ as preeminent in all of life. Colossians 2:3, 6-10
6. The education of children and youth must not hinder the spiritual and moral development of the next generation.
Matthew 18:6; 19:13-14; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17
7. The education of children and youth, if and when delegated to others by parents, must be done so with utmost care to ensure that all teachers follow these principles.
Exodus 18:21; I Samuel 1:27-28; 3:1-10
8. The education of children and youth results in the formation of a belief system or worldview that will be patterned after the belief systems or worldviews of the person’s teachers.
Luke 6:40
9. The education of children and youth must lead to true wisdom by connecting all knowledge to a biblical worldview frame of reference.
Romans 1:20; Psalm 19:1; Proverbs 4:5,7; 3:19; 9:10, Psalms 104:24; 136:5; Jeremiah 10:12; Romans 11:33; Luke 11:52; Colossians 2:3; 1 Corinthians 8:1; 13:8; Romans 1:28
10. The education of children and youth must have a view of the future that includes the eternal perspective.
Colossians 3:1-2; Matthew 6:19-20; 2 Timothy 4:6-8; Acts 20:24; Hebrews 11:13; Colossians 3:23-24
I believe that with God's Word as our guide, Christian faculty that are trained to teach from a distinctively Christian perspective, the 10 principles of Kingdom education as our education model, and the continuous seeking of God's Will, that Mandarin Christian School will continue to flourish in the years ahead as we prepare students for college and life ahead.
Above all, it is our desire that each and every student will have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as their Lord and their Savior.
What makes us different or distinct? God's plan! We have also used the book by Dr. Glen Schultz, "Kingdom Education" as a model for our program. With permission, I have included the definition of Kingdom education and listed the 10 Biblical principles from the book along with their respective scripture references. It is my hope that every family at MCS would understand and seek to educate with these ideas in mind.
Kingdom Education is defined as: the life-long, Bible-based, Christ-centered process of leading a child into a new identity with Christ, developing a child according to his/her specific abilities given to him by Christ, so that a child would be empowered to live a life characterized by love, trust and obedience to Christ.
Biblical Principles of Kingdom Education
1. The education of children and youth is the primary responsibility of parents. Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:18-21; Psalms 78;1-7; Psalms 127:3; Proverbs 22:6; Malachi 2:13-16; Ephesians 6:4
2. The education of children and youth is a 24 hour-a-day, 7 days-per-week process that continues from birth till maturity.
Deuteronomy 6:7; 11:19; Proverbs 22:6
3. The education of children and youth must have as its primary goals the salvation of and discipleship of the next generation.
Psalms 78:6-7; Matthew 28:19-20
4. The education of children and youth must be based on God’s Word as absolute truth. Matthew 24:35; Psalms 119
5. The education of children and youth must hold Christ as preeminent in all of life. Colossians 2:3, 6-10
6. The education of children and youth must not hinder the spiritual and moral development of the next generation.
Matthew 18:6; 19:13-14; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17
7. The education of children and youth, if and when delegated to others by parents, must be done so with utmost care to ensure that all teachers follow these principles.
Exodus 18:21; I Samuel 1:27-28; 3:1-10
8. The education of children and youth results in the formation of a belief system or worldview that will be patterned after the belief systems or worldviews of the person’s teachers.
Luke 6:40
9. The education of children and youth must lead to true wisdom by connecting all knowledge to a biblical worldview frame of reference.
Romans 1:20; Psalm 19:1; Proverbs 4:5,7; 3:19; 9:10, Psalms 104:24; 136:5; Jeremiah 10:12; Romans 11:33; Luke 11:52; Colossians 2:3; 1 Corinthians 8:1; 13:8; Romans 1:28
10. The education of children and youth must have a view of the future that includes the eternal perspective.
Colossians 3:1-2; Matthew 6:19-20; 2 Timothy 4:6-8; Acts 20:24; Hebrews 11:13; Colossians 3:23-24
I believe that with God's Word as our guide, Christian faculty that are trained to teach from a distinctively Christian perspective, the 10 principles of Kingdom education as our education model, and the continuous seeking of God's Will, that Mandarin Christian School will continue to flourish in the years ahead as we prepare students for college and life ahead.
Above all, it is our desire that each and every student will have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as their Lord and their Savior.
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