I am blessed to have served the Lord for the past 30 years in various leadership roles in Christian schools. I admit that I spend a great deal of time and energy thinking about the DNA and foundation of a school, making sure it is built on biblical principles while intentionally living out those convictions in ways that create a culture of unity, mutual joy, and service.
While there are many biblical principles that are essential to building a Christ-honoring culture and climate, four have had a profound impact on my life and ministry:
- Transformation and Commitment
- Constance and Consistency
- Guarding and Fighting
- Gratitude and Joy
The first and most important responsibility of any leader is to be transformed by the good news of the Gospel, filled with His Spirit, and fully committed to living a life on mission for Him.
That sounds simple, but in the busyness of life and ministry, it can easily be forgotten or minimized within the life of a school. As a school leader, I must continually ask myself:
- Am I meditating on God’s Word day and night?
- Is His glory and His purposes paramount in my life and in the life of the school?
- Are prayer and the study of His Word daily practices?
- Is every decision and conversation bathed in prayer?
- Do I live for Christ, fixing my eyes on HIm, looking to Him for wisdom and guidance?
- Am I using my platform as a leader to speak truth and build others up?
A culture that honors Christ can be difficult to build, but it can be lost quickly through a few poor decisions or through lukewarmness in the life of a leader.
I would argue that the most important aspect of any school or classroom leader is their walk with the Lord. If we do not examine, nurture, and maintain our commitment to Christ, we will eventually find ourselves in the midst of a culture that no longer reflects the one we had hoped to build.
The culture of a school will never rise above the spiritual health and commitment of its leaders. Our programs, policies, practices, and strategies all matter, but who we are becoming in Christ matters most.
Examine yourself today and allow the Lord to continue to mold and make you according to His will!
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