Public Blog

I walked into a school not long ago that had this verse plastered on the gym wall:

“Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Of course, we would all agree that doing everything for the glory of God should be our ultimate purpose and goal. However, what that truly means can sometimes become unclear.

I think Jay Adams, in his book Back to the Blackboard, provided one of the most helpful definitions of what it means to glorify God:

“The fundamental Greek term for glory is doxa (‘reputation’). It corresponds closely to the Hebrew word kabod, which means ‘to be heavy.’ …As we say, ‘It carries weight.’ …To glorify God is to ascribe to Him the full weight of all the qualities He already possesses… to make God heavy in one’s own sight or in the sight of others.”

Jay Adams then went on to ask the question, “Do we make God out to be the heavyweight, or the lightweight?” In every area of our life—our home, our Christian schools—is God the heavyweight, or do we make ourselves out to be the heavyweight?

In his book The Lost Purpose of Learning, Dr. Christian Overman laid out a clear path for understanding how we ought to glorify God:

Step #1 – God created everything.

Step #2 – Man discovers what God has made.

Step #3 – Man imitates God by being creators.

Step #4 – God is glorified as we imitate Him.

This is the heart of Kingdom Education! It is our desire to teach and disciple students in a way that not only allows them to learn about the Creator and His creation, but also helps them see themselves as part of ruling over and having dominion on this earth—allowing God to work in and through them, no matter what He calls them to do. When that happens, we can be sure that God will receive the glory. It is then that He will be the heavyweight in every area of our lives and in the lives of future generations.

I am blessed to have grown up in a Christian home with godly parents who had the conviction that my brothers and I would always attend a Christian school. Of course, at the time, I never fully appreciated my parents’ conviction and sacrifice. The interesting thing is that, against my sincerest desires, I actually started teaching in a Christian school right out of college. And again, I didn’t fully embrace or commit to what God could, and was, doing through Christian education—until 2004, when I met Dr. Glen Schultz. It was then, after hearing the biblical truths of Kingdom Education, that I committed myself to the Lord to do whatever He called me to do for His Kingdom.

Trust me, since that time, there have been plenty of days when I questioned whether God really did call me to this Kingdom work. However, it is during these times that the Lord reminds me of these truths:

I am forever changed:

• “I was shown mercy… so that in me… Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.”
• “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.”
• “I do not consider my life as dear to myself…but to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.”
• “…always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”

I desire to have a greater impact for Christ:

When I think of someone who had a great impact for Christ, I can’t help but think of David and the story of David and Goliath. A few quick reminders of how God used David to have a greater impact:

• “The Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David.”
• When David’s brothers gave him a hard time by saying, “Why have you come here?”, David did not give in to the pressure to leave.
• When Saul said that David was “not able to go up against this Philistine to fight him,” David was not swayed from what God had brought him to do.
• David did not allow fear to consume him and direct his steps.
• David was confident that God “would deliver him.”
• David’s purpose was clear and pure. His desire was “that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.”

If there is ever a need to be reminded of our “why,” I think a most worthy “why” is so that the world (our students and beyond) would know the One True God.

My family and I live in Greenville, South Carolina, which was impacted this past October by Hurricane Helene. We were spared from any major damage but did have some trees fall around our house. One tree, in particular, fell into another tree right next to our house and rested upon it for months. There wasn’t a day that went by that I didn’t notice the great need to get that tree down before it fell on my house. My neighbors pointed out the issue, random people mentioned it, the tree guy (who wanted my money) told me about it, and of course, I couldn’t help but notice the need every time I came home. Even though there have always been larger trees within striking distance of my house, it’s amazing that when it seemed my home and wallet could be impacted, the need became more urgent.

We see this today in the world and culture we currently call home. Over the past few decades, we’ve witnessed prayer being removed from schools, the Bible banned, the sexualization of curricula, and the introduction of many other sinful ideologies thrust upon our young people. Yet, because these issues haven’t impacted us directly, the need hasn’t seemed as pressing. However, now, as we see the firsthand impact on our homes, churches, and schools, the need has become much greater.

Of course, these realities are nothing new. As we read in Scripture, there have always been signs and examples of the great need at hand:

• “They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water.”
• “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
• “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
• “They mingled with the nations and learned their practices…”

The good news is that the reason we faithfully serve the Lord in Christ-centered schools is because we have the answers to meet these great needs. God’s Word says:

• “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth… He created us in His image.”
• “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
• “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…”
• “God’s Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”
• “The Helper, the Holy Spirit, will teach you everything and make you remember all that I have told you.”

Donovan Graham wrote in his book Teaching Redemptively that “the task of the school and its teachers is to help students learn to live in these two kingdoms: to be in the world, testifying to God’s character through the way they care for His creation, loving others… without being of the world, formed by the spirit of this age.”

What a great opportunity we have in Kingdom Schools to impact the hearts and minds of students in such a way that they not only learn and know the truth of God’s Word but that it will forever change how they impact this world as they live for the Kingdom of God.

It is easy these days to get caught up in the “weeds” of everyday life and lose sight of why God has placed us on this earth for such a time as this. For those of you serving faithfully in Christian schools, the days can become full of tasks like these, which end up consuming our time, energy, and emotions:

• The constant flow of emails filled with information, commitments, concerns, complaints, and more.
• The endless cycle of paperwork and reports that seem never-ending, as we finish one task and move on to the next.
• Meetings that consume hours of each day.
• The latest “fire” or “crisis” that needs to be addressed.
• Event after event, whether it be a sporting event, concert, or other school activity.
• The continuous demand to plan for what is ahead, and then plan for what comes after that.
• Tracking budgets, enrollment, expectations, and more.
• Ongoing classroom demands, observations, lesson development, grading, and presentations.
• And the list goes on.

Dr. Stephen Reel, in his book Clear Focus, says that when we get caught in this hectic rhythm, “existing to exist becomes the prevailing motivation.”

The solution to this issue lies in being reminded of the Christ-centered “why” behind everything we do. A. W. Tozer said in The Pursuit of God, “It is not what a man does that determines whether his work is sacred or secular; it is why he does it. The motive is everything. Let a man sanctify the Lord God in his heart, and he can thereafter do no common act.”

God used Peter to pen the following words: “Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present in you. I consider it right…to stir you up by way of reminder.”

As we enter this busy time of year and speed downhill toward the finish line, my prayer is that you recall the great purpose for which God has called you: the work of Kingdom Education. The work of leading a child to Christ, building them up in Christ, and equipping them to serve Christ, so that He may be glorified in and through them.

In the weeks to come, I hope to continue to remind you of the “why” behind God’s call to this great work.

If we are being honest with ourselves, most of us are accustomed to getting what we want. Now, I’m not suggesting that we can all get the million-dollar home on the beach, but when it comes to our daily needs and desires, we tend to find ways to make things happen. If we want something from Amazon, we put it on the card, and it arrives the next day. A trip to Disney? Charge it. That car we’ve had our eye on? We can stretch payments over eight years, and it’s ours. If we want our kids to be academic overachievers, we hire tutors, ensuring they spend the necessary time to achieve a 4.0 GPA, and help them crush the SAT/ACT. If we want our children to be top athletes, we invest countless hours and dollars into training, teams, and travel. If we want them to be great cooks, musicians, or artists, the same investment of time and resources applies. And, the list could go on.

The question I often ask school leaders and educators is this: Are we getting what we want when it comes to Christian education? Yes, there are more variables involved when it comes to reaching the hearts of young people, but we still need to ask: Are we putting in the time and effort necessary to truly capture hearts for Christ? After all, we’ve clearly defined our “wants” and “goals” on school documentation, listing what we hope to accomplish through Christian education. Here are just a few of those common desires found in mission statements and expected student outcomes:

• A heart for God and others
• Spiritual formation
• Christ-honoring relationships
• A biblical worldview
• Engaging the culture for Christ
• Cultivating hearts
• Servant leadership
• Glorifying God

I think we would all agree that these and other biblical outcomes outlined in similar documents are excellent and desirable goals for Christian education. But the question remains: Are we getting what we want to the extent that we want it?  Have we allowed the programs, calendar of events, competitive spirit, need for enrollment, budgets, and just the daily barrage of emails to sidetrack us from getting what we want?  

In 2015, the Nehemiah Institute’s PEERS (Politics, Economics, Education, Religion, and Social Issues) test revealed that 90% of students from Christian homes attending secular schools scored in the range that indicates their views are firmly grounded in secularism.

If the current system of educating young people is failing—both in secular and some Christian schools—shouldn’t we do everything in our power to figure out what changes are necessary for the sake of future generations and the cause of Christ? If government schools are anti-Christ and some Christian schools are failing to produce true disciples, then surely something must change. 

Before we go any further, let me recap a few key points as a reminder:

• The vast majority of young people from “Christian” homes are educated in a secular humanistic system that lacks the ability and desire to proclaim the truth of God’s word.
• From the age of 2 to 18, young people today spend approximately 40 hours a week in a godless educational environment.
• Only about 2% of millennials hold a biblical worldview, which suggests that parents are not handing down to their children something they themselves do not possess.
• Students attending Christian schools are many times educated primarily according to state standards, with the goal of getting into secular colleges and living a comfortable life.
• There does not seem to be a widespread fear of God or an overwhelming desire to change the current trends in how we educate future generations.

If these points are even close to being true—and I believe they are—we cannot afford to waste another minute doing things the same way. Change must happen, and it must happen now. Now is the time to “examine everything carefully”, clinging to that which is Christ-honoring and cutting out anything that has driven us off course in our homes, churches, and schools.  

To that end, it is our desire at Kingdom Education Ministries to be a part of seeing the home, church, and school come together like never before to impact future generations for Christ.  

It is our desire, as it was Peter’s desire in 2 Peter 1:13, to “stir you up by way of reminder.”  If we can ever be of service to you, to challenge and encourage you in the biblical principles we know to be true, please don’t hesitate to reach out.  We would love to come alongside you in the weeks to come.

We concluded last week’s blog with the following…

Ultimately, the academy should not be…

• In place of…
• In spite of…
• In addition to…

BUT… A ministry of the Church, working in perfect harmony to advance the Kingdom.

In Acts 2 when the sound from heaven filled the house and anointed the Church, this was no accident. The Church was given a specific assignment,

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Matthew 28:19-20

This assignment has been going forward for over 2,000 years. Since the day of Pentecost, the Church has had her ups and downs, though one thing has remained, the Church’s mission. Whether the Church has always lived up to that mission or not, is a conversation for another day. Today, the Church cannot reside inside 4 walls, it must be a place of going, rather than coming. As the Church, Christians must be going forth, preaching the name of Jesus, winning the lost to Jesus, and baptizing them in the name of Jesus. It is a mission that goes beyond the 4 walls of a building.

The Church is to operate 24/7/365. There is never a time off. As Christ followers we are the message carriers, under the umbrella of the Church. This applies for the academy as well. The academy should function under the umbrella of the Church, working as a ministry of the Church. I say often, our responsibility as Kingdom educators is to carry what is ministered from the pulpit on Sunday to the lectern on Monday. Kingdom Educators should work as an extension of the Church, executing The Great Commission Monday – Saturday. As an extension or ministry of the Church, we see the fruit of our labor as beautifying the bride of Christ.

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Ephesians 5:25-27

 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Revelation 19:7-9

The work of the academy should be focused on making certain everything we do brings honor to the Church, the body of Christ. It is our responsibility to not hinder the moral and spiritual development of anyone that encounters our academies. We must serve the Church. We must honor the Church. We must elevate the Church. We must partner with the Church. The Church should be the covering by which the academy operates under daily.

We believe at Kingdom Education Ministries™, we are called to…

Engaging church leaders to address the issue of education biblically and equip parents to fulfill their God-given mandate to educate children biblically.

If the individual is the message carrier,

If the family is the message expansion,

Then the Church is the message trainer.

The Church is the second ordained institution in Scripture. When Jesus left the earth and the Holy Spirit arrived, the Church became the training ground for carrying the message from generation to generation. The Church was commissioned to take the message of the Gospel and train up future generations to be the light sent into a dark world.

He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.

Acts 1:7-9

It is the responsibility of the academy to create the partnership with the Church that is long lasting, gospel advancing, and Kingdom honoring.

How should the Church and Academy interact with each other?

I am not certain how many of you are basketball fans but some of you may remember July 8, 2010, “The Decision’. It was the day LeBron James made the famous statement, “I am taking my talents to South Beach.” This would then form what was known as the “Big Three”. It changed the course of NBA history. In fact, LeBron, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh all decided to take pay cuts to make room for Mike Miller to join them. The “Big Three” in an interview stated that they were going to win 1, 2, 3, 4…7 championships. They ended up only wining 2 championships in 4 seasons together before LeBron left to go back to Cleveland.

What many don’t remember is this was not the first time a “Big Three” joined forces in the NBA. From 1968-1973 Wilt Chamberlin, Elgin Baylor, and Jerry West all played together forming what was called the “Super Team”. The Lakers reached the NBA finals twice, losing to the Celtics and Knicks but eventually winning a championship in 1972 before Chamberlain and West retired.

Why the history lesson on the NBA “Big Three”?

Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

Amos 3:3

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-13

We can get into conversation as to why the “Big Three” didn’t win the 7+ championships they said they were going to win, or we can just realize the real reason was lack of unity. It takes unity, walking together, to make things work.

Far too long the Church and Academy have disagreed with each other. They have tried to figure out who should be in charge, what body is more important, and who is doing a better a job at discipling families. What has suffered is the entire body of Christ. Like two parents in an argument, nearing or getting divorced and children caught in the middle, the disunity between the church and academy has caused the families to suffer, being caught in the middle of the fight. This is exactly how the enemy works. He first causes disunity and then he goes in and destroys.

Monthly we get calls from churches or schools who are on the verge of divorce. Sadly, it causes the entire body of Christ to suffer. The Home, Church, and School, working together could win championship after championship but due to pride and selfishness, we allow pettiness to interrupt what God could use.

Alan Pue writes,

“Of course, parents bear responsibility for discipling their children. Who is responsible for equipping parents for such a challenging role?  Isn’t that a primary role of the church?”

This mindset creates a partnership where the academy can assist. The academy should never replace the church. Working together in unity, the church and the academy must understand they are to come alongside the parents in raising up the next generation. This partnership becomes a three-cord strand that is not easily broken. This partnership requires each entity to understand their unique gifting and calling. This partnership when functionally properly, in unity, advances the Kingdom.

We have heard all kinds of horror stories and from the outside looking in on these stories, the weight of blame is on both the church and the academy. We must strive for unity together and when that happens, we become the “Big Three” and “Super Team” that nothing can overtake. That unity begins with recognizing what God has called each of us to bring to the table in this battle. It requires us to humbly serve the King and not our own interests. Ultimately the academy should not be…

In place of…

In spite of…

In addition to…

BUT…A ministry of the Church.

Working in perfect harmony to advance the Kingdom.

Last week’s blog ended with this statement, “May the church become our spiritual emergency room.” The church was designed to be place where people heard the Word, believed the Word, and acted on the Word.

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

Romans 10:14

Instead, the church in many places has leaned toward the woke culture and has become anything to anyone. Dr. George Barna in recent research has discovered the following when it comes to pastors with a biblical worldview.

Pastors in the church demonstrating a biblical worldview

Executive Pastors 4%

Children/Youth Pastors 12%

Teaching Pastors 13%

Assistant Pastors 28%

Senior Pastors 41%

All Pastors 37%

What has happened over the last 2,000 years is that the enemy has attacked the original purpose of the Church and led it off task. The mission of the Church could not have been more direct and identifiable. The secularization of the Church over the last two millennia is, at its core, the battle between the secular and the sacred. Sadly, the Church has become lukewarm, losing its love for the bride.

A lukewarm church may still look like a church, function like a church, and, in most ways, achieve the original mission of the Church. However, it will only do so with a focus on the short term—10, 20, 30, or even 50 years in sight. The lukewarm church needs to see the Great Physician and return to its first love. Transformation will not come from an overemphasis on programming, but from a recentering on the Truth that built the Church.

Dr. Barna tells us that 80% of those who grow up in the Church leave it when they reach college. The question we must ask ourselves is: Why? Why do they no longer believe in the message the Church was commissioned to teach them? Could it be that programming has overtaken the message—TRUTH?

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 14:6

The truth of the Church must be centered around one message: Jesus. In returning to its first love, the Church would embrace this message above all. Truth grew the Church in Acts 2, and it can once again grow the Church.

Truth comes from God’s Word alone, and it is the Church’s responsibility to equip families with this message!

The Church & the Individual

 Many have suggested over the years that the church should be a hospital for the spiritually sick. For many years of my life, I didn’t see the church fulfilling this role but rather focusing solely on discipleship. However, my perspective changed when I fell into the most broken state of my life.

The church we attended for years held a service every Wednesday night called the “House of Prayer.” The entire service was dedicated to worship, scripture reading, and prayer. It wasn’t for the faint of heart. Every week, it was intense and incredibly powerful. One Wednesday, I found myself at the lowest point of my life, and I needed a spiritual doctor. I needed to go to the spiritual emergency room. That evening, I broke, and the altar became my spiritual hospital bed. I laid there for longer than I could remember, praying, seeking God’s face, direction, and hope for my life. The altar became my hospital bed, and my physician was my Creator.

Dr. Schultz has often quoted the phrase, “It is easier to be traditional than Biblical.” While many have associated this phrase with the school and how we need to forget the training we’ve had as educators and seek God’s direction for our school, it can also be applied to the church. We walk into church, hear announcements, sing three songs, listen to a message, are challenged to leave differently, and then have an altar call. We walk out, checking a box, ready for another week, but no surgery was performed on us. We leave with little change within us, head to Cracker Barrel to beat the crowd, then go home to take a Sunday afternoon nap while watching a sporting event. Check, another appointment accomplished.

What if we did away with the tradition of church?

Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” What if we walked into church and allowed those with whom we fellowship to change us? What if we walked into church and allowed the One we’re there to worship to remake us? Would the outcome of church be truly transformational in us and in all areas of our lives?

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. James 1:22-25

Sadly, I sense that too many of us walk into church for a social event rather than a transformational one. The church should be a place where we are confronted with the Word, forced to examine our hearts and minds, much like we examine ourselves in the mirror before leaving the house in the morning. We must arrive at church prepared to understand that we are walking into a spiritual hospital, and we need serious treatment. Too often, we walk in with guarded walls and fail to allow the Word to diagnose and heal us.

When you walk into an emergency room, you know something is going to change. Why do we not walk into church with this same urgency? Could a Sunday morning or Wednesday night be one of the most dualistic places of the week? We know we need help. We know we need a spiritual cast placed on our hearts. We know we are broken, and we know we need spiritual surgery. Yet, we so intently guard against looking deeply into the mirror of God’s Word and allowing it to treat, heal, and transform us. His Word and His Church should reshape and mold us.

But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.

Malachi 3:2-3

May the church become our spiritual emergency room.

Sharing a home with three girls over the last 20 years has meant that I’ve watched my fair share of Disney animated movies. Recently, we watched Into the Unknown: Making of Frozen II. It was a fascinating six-part series that took the audience through the detailed and lengthy process of creating Frozen II. One thing that grabbed my attention was that it took 400 people over 9 years to create both Frozen I and Frozen II. This struck me because it seemed like such a dedicated, committed team working tirelessly for years to create something as seemingly simple as an animated movie. Yet, these films have had a profound impact on the hearts and minds of young people. Very few people in the world would fail to recognize Elsa, Anna, and Olaf. Thanks to the teamwork, hard work, and vision of the creators, Frozen became an incredible success, with the Frozen movies becoming the highest-grossing Disney films of all time by 2022.

As much as I enjoyed the Frozen movies and the series The Making of Frozen, it also served as a convicting reminder. If the creators of Frozen were so committed to working for 9 years, putting in long hours, and being teachable and flexible in their opinions and desires—all for a 90-minute animated film—why can’t the Body of Christ be just as intentional about pointing the next generation to Christ? Imagine what could happen if parents, along with church and school leaders, came together during the most formative years of kids’ lives and were just as intentional with the message and truth of Jesus Christ. Imagine if they didn’t care about the hours involved, didn’t care about who received the credit, and didn’t mind digging deeper and working harder, as long as it produced biblical fruit in their kids.

What if, instead of 9 years, we had roughly 18 years to influence future generations for Christ? What if we were able to teach and mold our children 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?

God has always used people to accomplish His will. Here are a few examples of those He used over the years:

• God brought Philip to the Ethiopian eunuch to reveal the truth and lead him to a better understanding of God’s Word (Acts 8:26-40).
• God used Moses, even though he doubted his abilities and tried to avoid his calling (Exodus 3:11-12).
• God used Paul, who was once a persecutor of Christians, to spread the gospel after his conversion (Acts 9:1-19).
• God used Andrew, a humble man, to bring his brother Peter to Jesus (John 1:40-42). Peter then became a bold witness and leader in the early church.
• God even used Pharaoh, despite his rejection of God, to accomplish His will (Exodus 9:16).

The list goes on: Abraham, Ruth, Esther, Rahab, David, Samuel, Solomon, and many others. None of them were perfect. Some failed, yet God used them to accomplish His purposes. God uses a variety of people, with different gifts, talents, and personalities, to do His work.

As we consider those who could influence the lives of young people—teachers, coaches, pastors, and other key influencers—we must be certain that the utmost care is given to ensuring that they know and live out biblical truth.