The MACSA Blog

When Times are Difficult . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 15:37:00 +0000

The Christian School Journal
Barrett Mosbacker, Editor
February 20, 2011

Leading a school can be a tough business! I joke with my parents that my job is easy; I only deal with people’s children, money, and religion!

People can be complainers, inconsiderate, gossips, stubborn, resistant to change, and just downright mean and ornery. Such people can make our jobs and lives miserable.

Before you and I start feeling sorry for ourselves, consider Said Musa’s situation. After reading of his plight I believe we will gain a little perspective on our troubles.

Click here to read the rest of the post on The Christian School Journal

Teachers as Soldiers

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 18:09:00 +0000

By: Mark Strohm
Colossians 2 Ministries

2 Timothy 2:2-3 “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”

I have always appreciated teachers. Having taught and then served as a Principal of schools I know the value of a great teacher. But now as a grandfather whose 4 children all attended and graduated from Christian elementary and high schools I look back with great appreciation and fondness at the privilege it has been to watch my children grow and mature under godly, gifted teachers.

When I was in college for several summers I worked alongside three World War II veterans. Each had remarkable war stories to tell. Books about soldiers have amazed and inspired us as we read the difficult circumstances that soldiers have endured and overcome in battles. I can’t help but feel it is significant that Scripture mentions teachers and soldiers together.

While our Christian School teachers are not fighting with guns and bullets, they are fighting against a pervasive, dogmatic, ungodly world view that seems to have taken over media and educational systems alike. Teachers must skillfully use “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” Ephesians 6:17.

Soldiers fight against tyranny and aggression but Christian School teachers fight against those who want to keep our children from the knowledge of God. “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ,” 2 Corinthians 10:5.

While soldiers are out to destroy or take captive the enemy, Christian School teachers are out to serve God above all and desire to love the enemy. “Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will,” 2 Timothy 2:25 – 26.

Soldiers seek to keep their citizens from being taken captive by the enemy but Christian School teachers fight to keep students from being captive to the philosophies and forces of the world. “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ,” Colossians 2:8.

Despite the strength and enormity of the enemy, Christian School teachers are making a difference every day. While physical death is not around every corner, spiritual darkness and separation from God are the natural consequence for a lost and dying world. The heroic efforts Christian School teachers are giving each and every day is no less inspirational than the stories I heard as a young college student. Soldiers fight for life and freedom which merely last a lifetime, Christian School teachers fight for the soul which will last for all eternity!

Thank you Christian School Teachers!

The Hole in Our Holiness

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 14:17:00 +0000

Rev. Kevin DeYoung
University Reformed Church (East Lansing, MI)
Click here to read the full post on The Gospel Coalition blog

A few thoughts from the blog:

God’s mission in the world is to save a people and sanctify his people. Christ died “that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised” (2 Cor. 5:15). We were chosen in Christ “before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him” (Eph. 1:4). Christ “loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her…so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:25-27). Christ “gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14).

The pursuit of holiness does not occupy the place in our hearts that it should.

But where are the Christians known for their zeal for holiness? Where is the corresponding passion for honoring Christ with Christlike obedience? We need more Christian leaders on our campuses, in our cities, in our seminaries who will say with Paul, “Look carefully then how you walk”? (Eph. 5:15).

But I believe God would have us be much more careful with our eyes, our ears, and our mouth. It’s not pietism, legalism, or fundamentalism to take holiness seriously. It’s the way of all those who have been called to a holy calling by a holy God.

Click here to read the full post on The Gospel Coalition Blog

Musty Old Books . . . Saved a Generation

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 16:48:00 +0000

Let’s articulate before it’s too late!

Nurturing Faith, Christian Schools International

Click here for the original blog post.

They found some musty old books, dusted them off, read them, and saved a generation! In the story of Joash, we find the Spirit of the Lord leading him as a young person to read and re-institute the law of the Lord – see 2 Kings 23:2. We are told that the reading of the law led to a spiritual revival among the people and God’s blessing on the land. Even though oral tradition was foremost (writing was more the exception than the rule in those days), we see how God used the written word to preserve and instruct his people.

It is interesting that today in our age of every kind of communication, we still need to make sure that we get written down what it is we are doing in order to integrate teaching and learning. We have moved from oral to print in Christian schools in our attempts to articulate what we know about a Biblically infused curriculum. This has been an important part of our history as Christian schools – I clearly remember saving all those coins for Christian School’s International Foundation Day textbook drives in the 60’s. We now have reached the point where we must move increasingly from print to digital/electronic means for cost containment and for ease of sharing.

My concern is that we articulate in writing what it is we are doing – as I mentioned last month it takes veteran teachers who possess passion and astuteness in order to communicate in engaging ways with students about the unity of all truth through Christ.

I challenge you, veteran teacher, to share those ideas for integrating faith and learning that you have gained through reading, reflection, and practice and write them down to share with the next generation. Step up to the plate – it is part of your legacy!

I challenge you, young teacher, to observe, ask questions, press your veteran colleagues to not only orally share, but to record in the context of units of study, how they integrate faith and learning, how they bring biblical truth to bear on their subject matter, and what works most effectively with students. Do not be ashamed of what you don’t know, but have the humility to ask and learn.

I challenge you, administrator, to make sure your teachers not only write down what they are doing in integrating faith and learning, but to make sure that it is of good quality. Give your teachers time to work together to discuss how the mission and philosophy of your school actually turns into reality in the teaching and assessing of your students. Don’t let the vibrancy and distinctiveness of your school be watered down on your watch! Remember that Christian teaching and learning is the core business of your school, even though there are so many other daily distractions. Be a Joash for your school!

What does "TURKEY" mean?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 16:00:00 +0000

Dr. Barrett Mosbacker
Publisher The Christian School Journal
Superintendent, Briarwood Christian School (Birmingham, AL)

The following is an email that I recently sent to our staff and parents. I am sharing this devotional on The Christian School Journal because you may want to submit your own acrostic, but I will not give you pizza! You may also want to consider something similar for your school.

Click here to read the full post.

Dear Staff and Parents,

Last week I had the privilege of attending our fourth grade Thanksgiving program, The Purpose of Thanksgiving. It was a beautiful program and the children were wonderful. We have some great talent heading to the South Campus!

As I watched and listened, I was again reminded that we are to walk through this life with its peaks and its valleys with a grateful heart. One of the songs the children sang was Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart.

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks unto the Holy One
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son
Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks unto the Holy One
Give thanks because He’s given Jesus Christ, His Son

And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us"
And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us"

The Challenge—You Must Hurry!

This beautiful song got me to thinking about Thanksgiving and how our culture demeans the holiday when referring to it as “Turkey Day.” I do not like the phrase “Turkey Day” because it distorts the purpose and meaning of Thanksgiving. “Turkey Day” turns our attention away from God and toward our appetites.

Seeking to refocus our hearts and minds on thankfulness, I have created a simple acrostic from the word Turkey:

Thankful

Under all circumstances

Remembering God’s goodness and

Keeping his praise on our lips as we

Enjoy Him and his blessings every

Year

I bet our students can do much better than the Superintendent! Here is a challenge!

Take a few minutes in your classes to have your students (individually or as a class effort—see below) create an acrostic for the word Turkey that communicates something about thankfulness from a biblical perspective. Here is a website that you can use on your SMART Boards: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/poetry/acrostic/turkey/index.shtml.

This challenge has both spiritual and academic merit!

The Rules:

Click here to read the rules ~ and consider challenging your students this Thanksgiving!

MACSA Convention ~ IMPORTANT Information ~ CEUs

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 23:52:00 +0000

Don't forget to register for your 2010 CEUs via the 24/7 Ed website.

Please use the following URL: http://acsi.my247ed.com.

The URL in the 2010 MACSA Convention Program booklet was incorrect. We apologize for any inconvenience. If you have additional questions or are having trouble accessing the site, please contact us (ndehaan@macsaonline.org) and we'll do our best to help you!

Remember, if you "log your hours" within the first 30 days ~ there is NO CHARGE. After that, the cost will be $10 payable via credit card on the My24/7Ed website.

Workshop notes (if submitted by the presenter) and audio to the keynote sessions will posted by the end of November. Thank you for your patience.

Long Story Short ~ Ten Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 18:24:00 +0000

Written for use in family worship, this book could also serve as a valuable resource to teachers in Christian school classrooms. Check it out . . . and let us know what you think!

Long Story Short ~ Ten Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God

Click here to order from Westminster Bookstore

(Publisher's Description) ~ Christian parents know the importance of passing the gospel story on to their children, yet we live in a busy world filled with distractions. Schedules collide, there is homework and yard work and dishes and laundry, the car’s oil should be changed, there are phone calls to make...and before you know it, everyone is getting to bed late again.

The Bible can seem like a long story for an active family to read, but when you break it down into short sections, as Marty Machowski does, family devotions are easy to do. Long Story Short will help busy parents share with their children how every story in the Old Testament points forward to God’s story of salvation through Jesus Christ. You won’t find a more important focus for a family devotional than a daily highlighting of the gospel of grace. Clever stories and good moral lessons may entertain and even help children, but the gospel will transform children. The gospel is deep enough to keep the oldest and wisest parents learning and growing all their lives, yet simple enough to transform the heart of the first grader who has just begun to read.

Ten minutes a day, five days a week is enough time to pass on the most valuable treasure the world has ever known. Long Story Short is a family devotional program designed to explain God’s plan of salvation through the Old Testament and is suitable for children from preschool through high school.

A Good Post-Election Reminder

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 17:22:00 +0000

The election is over . . . and life (and school) goes on.

Take a few minutes to read Al Mohler's piece The Morning After - What Does it All Mean? This would be a great discussion starter in classrooms and/or around the dinner table.

Mohler's writes:

The Morning After — What Does it All Mean?
Evangelicals tend to swing between extremes when it comes to politics and elections. We are too easily elated and too readily depressed.

Christians are supposed to be the people who know the dangers of investing either too much, or too little, confidence in the political system. The election is over. Now is the time for Christians to pray for those who were elected and for the government they will serve.

Click here to read the full post on Al Mohler's blog.

Enlightened and Encouraged

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 17:48:00 +0000

Dan Berens

Christian Schools International

Originally posted on Nurturing Faith

We are living in instant times. We are fixated on the newest and latest. Sometimes we forget how we have gotten to where we are. Since CSI just celebrated 90 years, I thought it might be a good time to consider some of the rich history that is ours to see what can be gained from the past for living in today’s times.

A book that I recently read was 22 Landmark Years, Christian Schools International, 1943 – 1965written by John VanderArk, who served as Director of CSI from 1953-1977. The comments below are reflections and quotes from that source, published by Baker Books.

VanderArk begins his preface with a quote: “Let every student be plainly instructed and earnestly pressed to consider well (that) the main end of his life and studies is to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life and therefore to lay Christ in the bottom as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and learning…”. Would you be shocked if I told you that this was a September 26, 1642 letter explaining the reason for establishing Harvard College? He goes on to say that “the purposes of life and learning are essentially theological issues, and one’s theology is important. Consequently people who take their faith seriously wish to entrust the education of children to those of a similar faith.”

While there were schools started by various denominations, VanderArk states that many of them closed as civil education gained ascendancy and can’t truly be considered the forerunners of today’s Protestant Christian schools. He points out that the rise of secular education that focused students on national citizenship to the exclusion of the consciousness of the kingdom of God was a primary cause for the establishment of Christian schools. While many in the late nineteenth century were enamored by Enlightenment thinking that promoted the concept that “knowledge is power” and that man is the measure of all things, the Netherlands immigrants who began many of the schools in CSI thought otherwise. While they taught their children to appreciate their heritage and to embrace citizenship in their new country (whether Canada or the U.S.A) their focus for their children was on preparation to live and worship God above all in this world and the world to come.

We are linked to those who have gone before us and their story can both enlighten and encourage us. Their struggles are our struggles, just in different clothes. We seek to show students that all of life belongs to God, that no part of it can be understood apart its Creator. It is our turn to share the story. As VanderArk warns: “The distance between a goodly heritage and its extinction is but one short generation.” Let us be faithful!

Young minds full of promise ~ Teachers assume role as models

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 01:59:00 +0000

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Originally published in The Walton Tribune

By Pam Krumpach

Watching the leaves change provokes the dreamer in me. It reminds me of the swift passage of time and how, with each passing day, my students grow and change, developing into the men and women of quality and dignity that God intends for each to become.

In scripture, Jeremiah tells us God has a plan for each of these young people and these plans give all of us hope and a future.

Isn’t that what life is about? Think about it. What a gift life is, freely given with plans designed by the Creator and full of hope. What a privilege it is to be surrounded by the promise of optimism which springs from our students as they discover their own futures. It makes even more poignant the events of this past week.

Our family here at Covenant Christian Academy suffered the loss of an amazing man and a wonderful friend. He left a huge impact on everyone who knew him because of his loyalty and compassion. He was a role model for students — a man not afraid to visibly demonstrate his faith through words and actions. And even though he was not a teacher nor an administrator, he was an educator. As I think of this man, I am reminded of the priority of Christian education and our role as parents and educators in the lives of our children.

While the three Rs retain an important role in education, Christian education offers so much more. Christian education takes place in a community setting. Parents, teachers, administrators, staff and even the young people themselves bear the responsibility and privilege of creating an atmosphere in which each child can freely partake in the opportunities of learning and developing as students and as caring members of the “family.” Students have that chance to grow surrounded by love and support.

The Christian school setting provides a fertile ground for that change. Keep in mind that societal pressures have encouraged the disintegration of traditional families, and children now spend far more time in a school atmosphere where teachers assume a primary role as models for their students. David L. Roth said recently, “Christian school teachers must serve as role models. [Therefore] it is important that a teacher model the Christ-centered and Bible-centered mission of the Christian school.”

As members of our Christian family at Covenant Christian Academy, we are particularly mindful of how important that Christian family is and how we need to support, love, uphold and lead our young people, certainly through instruction, but more importantly through deed.

So as we find ourselves grieved, disappointed, angry, hurt or any of the other responses we have to the many stresses in our changing lives, we need only be reminded that even in the midst of the storm, Jesus lived what He taught, that there is a future which God has destined for each us and that no matter what, there is hope. We must strive to live our lives as Christ did. After all, He is our ultimate role model.

Click here for original post.

The Wisdom of Solomon ~ Applied to Facebook and other Social Media

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 23:41:00 +0000

We live in a digital world . . . that's reality! Our students are comfortable with and use many of the social media sites . . . and so do many of us. This article applies principles from the book of Proverbs to our "Facebook" lives. Please take a few minutes to read it . . .print it out . . . and keep it in a handy place!

The challenge ~ examine ourselves FIRST and make the necessary adjustments to our lives and our on-line behavior and then teach (and lead) our students to apply this wisdom to their lives . . . online or offline . . . that God would be honored in all we say, do . . . and type!

Solomon on Social Media
Tim Challies

There are many who doubt or downplay the relevance of the Old Testament to our times. Those people have probably never taken the time to read the book of Proverbs. I read from Proverbs almost every day and I am continually amazed at just how relevant this book is. It seems that wisdom is timeless. The lessons David taught Solomon speak to myself and my children as much as they did to the men and women of ancient Israel. The wisdom of God given to Solomon continues to ring loud and clear in my heart.

If Solomon were alive today and we were to ask him how we are to relate to one another in this digital world, if we were to ask him how we can honor God in our use of all these social media available to us today, here is how he might respond.

Count to ten before posting, sharing, sending, submitting.
Leave the fool to his folly.
Expose folly.
Know when to walk away.
Be careful what you read.
Avoid the gossiper.
Be humble.
Mind your own business.
Don’t be a troublemaker.
Examine why you write.
Be careful what you teach.
Walk with the Lord.

Please click here to read the complete post . . . including the explanation of the above listed "words of wisdom."

Let us know what you think . . . we'd love to hear from you!

Are you listening?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 20:42:00 +0000

Nancy R. DeHaan
MACSA Executive Director

If I had a dime (or even a nickel) for every time I uttered (or even muttered) "Are you listening?" to the students in my classroom (especially the preschoolers . . . OK, and the middle school math kids . . . OK, and the junior high Bible class) . . . I could have retired years ago as a rich (young) woman!

As teachers we spend the majority of our day talking . . . and hope that our students spend the majority of their day listening ~ to US! The question is ~ are WE good listeners?

Here is an interesting review of three books designed to help adults become better listeners. They are written in the context of how to listen to a sermon and benefit from the ministry of the Word ~ making them applicable to ALL of us . . . teachers, administrators, parents . . . Christians!

The three books are:

Helping Johnny Listen by Thadeus Bergmeier
Expository Listening: A Handbook for Hearing and Doing God’s Word by Ken Ramey
Listen Up by Christopher Ash

They are reviewed by Tim Challies ~ Challies.com
As Christians we sit through a lot of sermons. The preaching ministry is one of God’s greatest means of grace to us, the means by which he teaches us truth, by which he calls us to pursue truth and to live out of it. And yet many of us are passive listeners, people who expect great preaching skill from the pastor but demand no listening skill from ourselves.

Lately I have come across a few resources dedicated to helping Christians be better listeners, to help them emphasize active listening. Here are three of them, each with a few words of description and an overview of the contents. If you have never read a book on how to listen to a sermon, I’d encourage you to do that. Take full advantage of the privilege you have of sitting under the ministry of the Word!

Click HERE to read the reviews.

Looking forward to your comments!

Why Attend the MACSA Convention?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 04:21:00 +0000

Barbara Williams, MACSA President
(Lehigh Christian Academy ~ Allentown, PA)

Perhaps in this economic climate your school is struggling due to decreased enrollment or loss of other financial resources. You might be thinking, “We just won’t attend the convention this year. It is one place we can save some dollars.”

I would like to suggest that this may be the very year you should attend. What is the value of the MACSA convention? Of course, there are the workshops where the faculty can be taught best practices in education and how to effectively teach each student. There is also the encouragement we receive when we gather as a large group of Christian educators and worship our God. We can tangibly see that we are not in this very important task alone. There are others standing with us. Finally, but certainly not least, is the fellowship individual faculties can have. The convention is an opportunity for them to get to know one another on a deeper level, be students together, and have fun together (maybe even shop together).

So…if you are still considering attendance at the convention in November, I would ask that you think about the value of learning together, worshiping God together, and having fun together.

I hope to see you all in November.

Together on the Path of Wisdom and Knowledge

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 23:08:00 +0000

MACSA Convention
November 10-12, 2010
Lancaster Host, Lancaster, PA

"Together on the Path
of Wisdom and Knowledge"
Keynote Speaker
Dr. William Brown (Cedarville University)

September greetings from MACSA! By now, the school year is underway (hopefully without any major glitches) and you have gotten back into the "routine" of the school year.

You should have already received a postal mailing with the information regarding the upcoming MACSA convention. The packet contained the preview booklet as well as the necessary forms to register your school for the convention. The committee is looking forward to the convention and believes that you and your staff will be blessed by your participation this year.

Convention information has also been put online at the MACSA website. The preview booklet (with any changes to date "merged" in) as well as most of the forms are on the web. Please encourage your teachers to view/print the preview booklet as they prepare to attend the convention. Any changes to the workshop list and/or schedule will be posted on the website and, if time allows, emailed to the schools. Thank you in advance for your understanding as we deal with schedule changes.

Please note that there are several "mini-courses" this year that can be taken for CEU or Graduate Credit. This includes a set of six sessions on Advancement which replaces the MACSA Development Conference. This course will be taught by Dr. Steve Dill (Philadelphia Biblical University). Please encourage board members and others involved in your advancement/development department to attend any/all of these sessions.
Click here to visit the MACSA 2010 Convention Web page ~ and then follow the individual links for the forms and information that you are seeking. Please contact Nancy DeHaan (ndehaan@macsaonline.org) if information is missing or if there are any broken links.

We are looking forward to seeing you at the convention. Please call or email the MACSA office with any questions.

See you in November!

MACSA Vice President

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:46:00 +0000

The MACSA Executive Committee is please to announce the election of Dr. James Smock to the position of Vice President effective July 1, 2010. See below for Dr. Smock's bio.

Dr. Smock has been elected to a 3-year term and at the conclusion of the 3-year VP term will "step up" and assume the role of MACSA President. The committee would like to thank Dr. Timothy Sierer (The Christian Academy ~ Brookhaven, PA) for his years of service to MACSA as Vice President and then as President.

Please pray for Dr. Smock as he moves into this new role with MACSA. In addition, please pray for the members of the MACSA Executive Committee and the MACSA Program Committee as they work to finalize plans for the 2010-2011 school year and begin long-term planning for the future of MACSA. Please feel free to contact any member of the MACSA Executive Committee with any questions, concerns or suggestions you have regarding MACSA. You input is appreciated!

MACSA Executive Committee Serving Schools that Serve the Savior

President: Mrs. Barbara Williams
(Lehigh Christian Academy ~ Allentown, PA)
Vice President: Dr. James Smock
(West Mont Christian Academy ~ Pottstown, PA)
Convention Director: Dr. Don Dawes
(Open Door Christian Academy ~ Fort Washington, PA)
Treasurer: Mr. Jim Hurst
(Lehigh Valley Christian High School ~ Catasauqua, PA)
Activities Director: Mrs. Deborah Hyde
(Individual MACSA member)
Secretary: Mrs. Marie Young
(Aston, PA)
Executive Director: Mrs. Nancy R. DeHaan
(Salem, NJ)

Dr. James N. Smock has been the Administrator of West-Mont Christian Academy in Pottstown, PA since 1987. He earned his B.S. at Lancaster Bible College in 1978, his Masters at Millersville State University in 1981, and his Doctorate at Nova Southeastern University in 1995. He holds certification with PA and ACSI at the Superintendant level. He was high school teacher/principal/administrator at Ephrata Bible Fellowship Academy from 1976-1981. He was in private counseling practice from 1981 to 1989 and has been in Christian education at West-Mont Christian Academy since 1987. He is married and has three girls and two boys, and 6 grandchildren.

New Year's Resolutions

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 02:06:00 +0000

By Dan Beerens

Originally posted on Nurturing Faith ~ the blog of Christian Schools International

The best time of the year for resolutions is January 1. True? Not really in education! Many of you are wrapping up the school year and some of you are already “childless” and roaming around in a mostly empty building. While you wrap up the year, many of you are already in planning mode for next year. Given our agricultural/cultural schedule of summer months without students, let me encourage you to take some time to reflect and resolve.

What went well and not so well this year that I hope to change in the fall?
What did I want to work on but could not take the time for or get to in the crush of the year?
What could I do proactively so that I will feel calmer when I get into the busyness of the fall schedule?
How will I strengthen the weakest aspects of my work? For teachers it may be finding better learning activities for a less than stellar unit, for principals it may be putting together a classroom visitation schedule that is more realistic and committing to it.
How will I pursue professional passions that allow me to bring unique benefits to my school or system?
How will I recharge my spiritual tank? Will I take more time to refresh my interior life?
Maybe summer is a good time for you to take a minute and reassess what you are doing in terms of your chosen work. Do you still feel called? Are you still passionate about what you are doing? Are you still eager to learn more about your discipline and life?

Is it a perfect time to catch up on reading the Nurturing Faith blogs you have missed this year? (Actually principals tell me they read the blog more in the summer than the school year!)

Have a great summer! I will see some of you at the CSI convention and others at your school for staff development. Nurturing Faith will take a summer hiatus now and begin again in the fall.

Click here to see the original post and to search the blog archives for some good summer reading!

Let Us Consider . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 17:45:00 +0000

Dr. Timothy Sierer, MACSA President
Headmaster, The Christian Academy (Brookhaven, PA)

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Hebrews 10:24

Clearly, we live in a society where the concept of encouraging one another and building each other up is foreign. To many the order of the day is not how I can build up others but rather how do I elevate myself above those around me. That attitude so prevalent in today’s culture is in direct disobedience to our theme verse found in Hebrews. Serving as an encourager to others is a trait that not only goes against the thinking of our present day culture but the very fabric of our sinful nature.

In each of our schools, we attempt to instruct our students in the daily application of this verse in their lives. We believe that our students can have a huge impact on their surroundings for the cause of Christ if they allow this verse to shape their interactions with others. Sadly, we are sending the Class of 2010 into a culture where the foremost concern is for self even at the expense of others. It is our desire that as these graduates leave our secure surroundings, they will become a beacon to an unsaved world through the demonstration of Christ’s love in their daily lives.

As the Class of 2010 prepares to graduate, those who profess the name of Jesus can step out confidently into the next phase of their lives. They can step out knowing they have been equipped academically, but more importantly, they have been equipped with the tools to stand boldly for the cause of Christ. Provided they have fully yielded themselves to His will, they can also boldly step out knowing that He will direct their footsteps in the future.

As another school year draws to a close, let us all purpose in our hearts to: 1) Praise God for the gifts and abilities He has bestowed on our students and 2) Pray that He will use the lives of these ‘new’ alumni not only to touch those around them but also to bring glory to Him. Thank you for your commitment to pray for our new graduates as they leave our schools and embark on the next stage of life’s journey.

On a personal note as my term as President comes to an end, I want to thank you for the privilege of serving in this capacity for the past three years. It has been a pleasure to serve MACSA in this way and to hear of how God is continuing to use our organization to reach future generations for Him. As Mrs. Williams takes over the leadership role I know you will provide her with the same level of support and encouragement you have given me. May God richly bless each of you with a restful summer as we look forward to serving our students in the 2010-2011 school year.

Ending Well?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 19 May 2010 04:23:00 +0000

Originally posted on Nurturing Faith (Christian Schools International)

It’s nearing the end of the school year and time for the annual award distributions. We hand out certificates, trophies, and compile lists of achievements in almost any and every category. Whether in the early grades or at graduation, we seek to point out accomplishments of students. I am guessing that if we could sit down and talk for a few minutes, dear reader, that we would share some mixed feelings about this end of year ritual.

This is an area of our school life that poses potentially large risks to our mission. It is an area that goes largely unexamined and one where we quickly adopt the practices of other schools. It is what we get excited about that speaks the loudest message to our students. I am concerned that sometimes what we do in awards assemblies may actually contradict the kinds of thoughtful work that we have done throughout many previous months and years.

I don’t have the answer to this, but am providing some questions below that might be useful in generating conversations within faculties.

Click here to read the list of questions and to leave a comment. Please feel free to leave a comment on this blog, too.

Listen Slowly

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 11 May 2010 14:17:00 +0000

Chuck Swindoll, chancellor of Dallas Theological Seminary, tells of a time when he had allowed the ‘busyness’ and demands of his life to interfere with his relationships with his wife and children. All of their interaction was rushed, to the point where he was treating them rudely. After yet another rushed meal one night, his young daughter blurted out that she had something important to tell him and she’d do it really fast. Ashamed at her unintentional rebuke, Swindoll assured her that she didn’t have to rush - she could talk to him slowly. ‘Then listen slowly,’ she replied.

As you approach the ‘busyness’ of the end of the year . . .

Administrators . . . are you listening slowly to your teachers?
Teachers . . . are you listening slowly to your students and parents?
All of us . . . are we listening slowly to God?

If not, try the following:

practice being a good listener
learn to hear the voice of God
listen with your heart as well as your ears
give God your full attention when you pray
realize that your students feel valued when you listen to them
recognize the way God listens to you
understand that hearing God requires obeying him as well

School/church/home partnering that encourages discipleship – a model that is working!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 17:54:00 +0000

Originally posted on "Nurturing Faith" - a blog of Christian Schools International
Click here for the Nurturing Faith blog.

How to best partner with churches has been a true conundrum for CSI Christian schools in recent years.

Cultural changes and shifts in church membership, coupled with students coming from a broadening number and variety of churches, have left schools confused about how to keep the home – school – church triangle intact, or even functioning at all. At the 2007 CSI membership convention we attempted to highlight the issue and make some progress on the issue of our common connection – the faith development of the students we share.

To read the rest of the article, click here . . .

Attention: Music Teachers ~ MACSA Music Day ~ Friday, April 30

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 17:00:00 +0000

It's NOT TOO LATE to register and attend.
Please FAX your registration form to Lehigh Christian Academy (610-776-1417) and bring your payment on the day of the event.

MACSA Music Day

Friday, April 30, 2010

8:45 am – 3:00 pm

This day is a GREAT day for Music Teachers, but is also VERY BENEFICIAL for Early Ed and Elem Ed Classroom teachers desiring to incorporate more music in the context of the regular classroom! Consider attending!

Lehigh Christian Academy

1151 S. Cedar Crest Boulevard

Allentown, PA 18103

610-776-7301

$25 per person
includes lunch

Click HERE for Information Flyer and Registration Form (MACSA website)

8:45 Registration and Refreshments

9:15 Devotional for Music Teachers

9:30 Breakout Session I

· Using Folk Dance to Have Fun and Build Musical Readiness

· Starting Up a Piano Lab

10:35 Breakout Session II

· Tiny Voices, Joyful Noises: Structure in your Early Childhood Music Class

· A Director's Guide to the Elementary Choir Rehearsal

11:35 Lunch and Networking

1:00 Breakout Session III

· Making Music Reading Fun in the Elementary Classroom

· Music Education and the Special Needs Child, Adaptation and Modification

2:05 Breakout Session IV

· Music Assessment

· Maximizing the Time in your Middle or High School Choir Rehearsal

Presenters include:

Dr. David Shockey - Professor of Voice and Choral Conducting (PBU)
Dr. Debbie Lynn Wolf - Professor of Music Education (PBU)
Andrew Owens - Music Teacher
Paul F. Reese III - Teacher, Organist and Music Director
Abigail Peace - Board Certified Music Therapist
Kelly Leibensperger - Music Teacher

The BUZZ from the MACSA Spelling Bee

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 15:15:00 +0000

The MACSA Spelling Bee was held on Wednesday, March 24 at Ambassador Christian Academy (Glassboro, New Jersey).

Participating schools included:

Ambassador Christian Academy (Glassboro, NJ)

Cape Christian Academy (Cape May Courthouse, NJ)
Cornerstone Christian School (East Brunswick, NJ)
Shrewsbury Christian Academy (New Freedom, PA)
West Fallowfield Christian School (Atglen, PA)

Grade Level Winners
First Place
Second Place

5th Grade
Haily Becica - Cape Christian
Alexis Lake-German - Cornerstone

6th Grade
Lauren Cairns-West Fallowfield
Taylor Avery - Ambassador

7th Grade
Emma Millar - West Fallowfield
Camille Menns- Cornerstone

8th Grade
Madison Duncan-West Fallowfield
Alicia Jones - Cornerstone

Overall Winner

Madison Duncan from West Fallowfield

The Imperative of Christian Leadership

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 13:09:00 +0000

From Nurturing Faith

Christian Schools International

“What the leader focuses on gets done.”

As I go about the continent speaking and doing accreditation site visits, I get to see many schools in action and gain a sense of how leadership happens in each place. Since my job often focuses on helping others with change, I have been thinking about what motivates people to change and the role of leadership, formal or informal, in making change happen and as change relates to what makes Christian education distinctive.

I recently read Dan Pink’s newest book, Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us. He describes management in the last 100 years as a version called Motivation 2.0, that relies heavily on control and extrinsic rewards. Pink contends that this style is out of sync with human nature itself, particularly in jobs of knowledge workers – the kinds of right-brain, creative, complex-thinking jobs that we see today. We are created to be curious and self-directed in our learning, but that somehow this desire gets “controlled” out of us – education being one culprit. Pink cites a Cornell study of 320 small businesses, in which half of the workers were granted autonomy and the other half relied on top-down direction, and states: “Businesses that offered autonomy grew at four times the rate of the control-oriented firms and had one-third the turnover.” Leaders lead out of their assumptions about the nature of human beings. Whether it is kids or teachers, if you assume the worst or the best about them, you will likely have people living up to those expectations. Do you as a leader bring out the best or the worst in your followers?

What Pink says about money and extrinsic motivation resonates with me as a Christian. In his proposed Motivation 3.0 model he sees purpose maximization as a key to long-term job satisfaction. We desire to work for higher purposes in life beyond ourselves. Christian education is, in the end, not about the money, but the highest purpose of helping student to know and live for Jesus Christ.

In a recent survey (Gates Foundation/Scholastic) of more than 40,000 public school teachers, supportive leadership was once again shown to trump financial incentives, such as merit pay. In order to retain good teachers, 68% said supportive leadership was absolutely essential, while 71% said monetary rewards for teacher performance would have moderate or no impact on student achievement. Teachers also highly desired “relevant” professional development, clean and safe working conditions, and time to collaborate with access to high-quality curriculum.

My friend Mark Eckel recently completed his doctoral work on the implementation of faith-learning integration and discovered that the key variable in terms of effect was leadership. He reports that the variable of administrative encouragement around faith learning integration happening in the classroom caused the largest shift in the total score for how teachers were integrating faith and learning! He states: “Learning how one teaches all things from a biblical point of view is the cornerstone of what it means to teach in a Christian school.” Amen!

As a leader (whether you are an administrator or teacher) I leave you with these questions:

1. How do you know that faith-learning integration is being practiced in your classroom(s)? What evidence could you show me?

2. If teachers/students are dependent on you as a leader to emphasize this area, then what are you doing to strengthen faith-learning integration?

Christian Education: Investment, Sacrifice, or Obligation?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 13:01:00 +0000

From Nurturing Faith
Christian Schools International

This is the time of year for budgets, annual parent meetings, and staff hiring. A lot of time, energy, and discussion are put into financial matters related to the cost of Christian education.

What is the language used in our discussions with parents, board, and each other? Let us consider some thoughts around the words investment, sacrifice, and obligation. If our language conveys our values and really matters, then we should choose our words wisely.

It’s wonderful to hear parents talk about investing into the lives of their kids by giving them a Christian education.

When I think of “investment”, I think of these phrases:

· Seen as a good thing to do with money – ex. The parable of the talents

· Are a plan for growth and the future

· Don’t always turn out like we planned, but we still make them anyway

· Potentially impact future generations

When I hear parents describe their choice for Christian education in a negative tone as a “sacrifice,” I think of these phrases:

· Something I have to do

· Sometimes grudging obedience rather than my heart’s desire

· Something I am giving up, not always cheerfully, to maintain something else

· Sense of loss rather than choice

· Sometimes used in “guilting” – “I sacrificed so you can have this”

I realize that the attitude of the heart is what determines how these words are used. I can also be forced to make investments for good (taxes come to mind) and do so with a resentful attitude. I can also make a joyful sacrifice – the kind that is pleasing to the Lord, such as the Abel offers, or one at the cost of my life, such as Samson. On the other hand if I view sacrifice as obligation it may be like the cheerless Pharisee who tossed into the collection plate in large measure and made sure it was publicly visible. In Jesus’ observation, the widow “sacrificed” but she did so with a grateful and joyful heart as an “investment” in the work of the kingdom.

How we and our staff approach our work is also key. Do we focus on our “sacrifice” to work at a lower salary or do we see our work as an opportunity to “invest” into the lives of the kids and into our community and world?

The language we use and allow others to use really surfaces our values and our level of commitment. The Bible says that “where your treasure is there will your heart be also,” and provides many very clear stories of biblical characters who ran into trouble confusing obedience and gratitude – investment, sacrifice, or obligation.

What attitude does our language convey about how we approach the opportunity for a Christian education that can equip our children to hear the redemptive call of God on their life in personal and corporate ways?

Check out the latest posts from The Christian School Journal

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 00:55:00 +0000

Is Online Learning on Your Radar?

Most of us recognize how important it is for a modern aircraft, particularly a commercial aircraft, to be equipped with the latest technology in order to provide the best possible chance for mission success. If any of us walked onto a flight and was informed the trip was being made without radar, we might think twice about remaining on board. Do we not trust the experience and instincts of the pilot? I imagine our reasons for leaving the airplane would not be about mistrust, but more about believing that reliable and proven technology gives us the best chance for success.

What about in our schools? Sometimes our daily requirements and routines capture our attention so often that we overlook the tools that are available to give us the best chance for success. Christian, public and private schools alike are wrestling with the present day economy, as well as the expectations of government, parents, board members and students. Budget surpluses are no longer in the school administrator’s toolbox, and to make matters worse, it seems organizations that could provide solutions elect to clash with one another instead. The commitment to instructional excellence is mostly unchanged, but the need to search for new tools is a reality, perhaps even a necessity.

Goodbye to Discs and Pages?

This article, although related specifically to Apple and Amazon, the larger story is the fast movement to digital content for books/textbooks.

Amazon vs. Apple: Battle of the books

With its new iPad, Apple is taking aim at Amazon’s core business and its Kindle book reader. Can the ‘e-tail’ pioneer keep up as books, music and movies go all-download?

College: Are Parents Getting Their Money’s Worth? Are They Getting “More” Than They Bargained For

This fall about two million American students will leave for college for the first time to receive an education at a yearly cost of $12,000 a year for a public university and up to $50,000 for a private one. Scholarships and grants reduce the cost for most families, but still, theWall Street Journal reports that the average student leaves college with $23,186 in debt.

The total cost for this transaction is somewhere between 25 and 40 billion dollars. Per year.

Oh well, at least families are getting their money’s worth.

Or not.