Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make a man a more clever devil. C.S. Lewis
Dear friends,
Thank you so very much for your prayers over those who attended the REAP conference. They were truly felt and mightily answered.
Amongst a wealth of Biblical Worldview inspiration and equipping, one powerful truth resounded from the training nestled in the mountains of Tennessee...a willing vessel must intentionally and consistently seek fellowship with Christ in order to righteously fulfill their calling. In essence, it is the “why” of what we do. The overall task of our Dominion Mandate is to know God, to make Him fully known, and to bend back every facet of life to His original design. The reality however is that we are in a battle with a determined and unyielding enemy who is seeking to render servants prideful, demoralized, and ineffective, and the lost…adrift. If we, as educators, are not personally pursuing an intimate relationship with and knowledge of our Savior, then how are we to naturally impart His preeminence over all that exists to our students?
With each sandal-worn, bloodied, muscle wrenching step, Moses forsook physical pain and mental weariness to behold God’s holy voice and stone-carved law on Mt. Sinai. Despite hateful sneers and reputational damage, Zacchaeus, driven by a passion to gaze at the Savior, clambered up a tree. Paul, formerly Saul, crossed over the pitch black chasm of bitter contempt and persecution to emerge a complete, martyr-ready disciple of Christ. Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, and others sought after an unreached peoples’ eternal salvation in the face of potential peril by spear. Cornelia Arnolda Johanna “Corrie” ten Boom and family followed God’s Will to hide Jewish brothers and sisters, despite the risk of death by concentration camp. One can continue to provide narrative after narrative of the self-denying, Savior-focused course individuals have undertaken over time to make Him known. Every single one was propelled by a solid spiritual constitution cultivated by intimate relationship with their Savior.
In order to ensure steadfast consistency with our personal spiritual growth, it is imperative that we identify and eliminate deterrents. The following are a few best practices that will aid in confronting weak or blind spots.
reassessment of the strength of our biblical worldview
reflection on how we conduct our lives, leadership over and rapport with others in our spheres of influence
re-examination of our motives
reprioritization of our time management and focus
recapture our thirst and inspiration of the”why”
If we are faithful to utilize these evaluative measures and grow in accordance with scriptural truths, then we are justly armed when personal, professional, cultural, physical, or emotional constraints ensue. Our spiritual fortitude will not falter, moreover, our ability to unceasingly pour “living water” into others will not be tainted or hindered.
A Christian school is Holy Ground. If a staff is riddled with individualistic and/or collective spiritual complacency, then what follows is an affront to God’s intended plan and purpose for His classrooms, halls, meeting spaces, gym floor, sports fields, and artistic stages; yet more importantly His children. The symptoms are quite clear.
minimizing the need for ongoing spiritual and professional development
establishing sparse expectations for the spiritual culture of the school
failing to identify and cultivate legitimate student leaders
propagating irresponsible secular educational methodologies such as the cultivation of a test and grade-driven environment
the propensity to minimally aid struggling students despite a public commitment to differentiate
forfeiting the individual needs of driven and advanced students for the sake of equity
feebly casting a biblical vision for the preparation of each graduate
ignoring the divine purposes of each student to carry out their dominion mandate through a theology of work mindset
failing to see each student as God’s fearfully and wonderfully made Holy Creation, wanting for truth, deserving of our righteous best
There may be vast mountains to scale, mighty trees to climb, seasons of darkness to overcome, daggers of public ridicule to fend off, and intentions of evil to endure; however, if each of us are passionately pursuing our Savior, then collectively we are aligned in righteousness and outfitted to train our students likewise. Intentionality is critical. There is a thin line between that which we aspire to be versus that which we are.
Author: tonya gordon
tgordon@renewanation.org