Public Blog

I remember when I was a kid that little league sports teams did not play on Sunday.  They practiced an hour a week and every one cheered for their team, not against the other.  Things have changed over the years and most athletic events are no longer just an enjoyable game.  

I was reading an article the other day that said, “A successful sports program is usually the determining factor of whether a student remains or enrolled in a particular Christian School.” The interesting thing about this article is, it was written in 1981. If this statement was true back in 1981, it is definitely true in 2025. A few other profound statements from this article are:

“Sports exalt man’s strength, and ability as the essential qualities for popularity and success. Godly, spiritual values and standards are eclipsed by the glorification of man”

“Is it not strange that “Christians” who yell like crazy at ball games often sit stiff in the church pew”, I would add, if they go to church at all.

“The Holy Spirit, prayer, godliness, ministry, and making disciples for Jesus Christ have all taken a back seat to the idol god of sports that has successfully ensnared and enslaved many Christian Schools.”

I must say, I read these statements and couldn’t agree more.  If these were true 45 years ago, they are off the charts true today. As much as I love sports, I agree with Psalm 106:35, and believe we have “mingled with the nations, and learned their practices, and served their idols, which have become a snare to us.”

So what can we do to right the ship in our homes and Christian Schools? 

I believe I Thessalonians 5:21-22 gives us the three ingredients for victory when it comes to our athletic programs.

First, “examine everything carefully”. Every Christian school leader must examine the state of their athletic program.  If it has strayed off course just a hair, great attention must be given to getting it back on course.  

Second, “cling to that which is good”. Some great things can come from Christian school sports. Young people can mature in physical strength. They can learn what it means to work together as a team. They can utilize some natural ability that God has given them. Finally, they can use the popular platform of athletics to be a light in a lost world.  

Third, “abstain from every form of evil”. Schools need to trim and fix athletic programs that steal time from families, encourage the lust of the flesh and eyes, glorify man rather than God, and in the end, make an idol out of sports.  

In 1 Corinthians, Paul used athletics as an analogy for our spiritual race.  He told the church of Corinth to:

• Run the spiritual race to win
• Run for the eternal crown
• Exercise self-control
• Discipline the mind and body for Christlikeness
• Run according to the principles laid out in Scripture

If we keep these truths in front of us, I am confident our Christian school athletes can not only compete, but win the eternal crown, along with some temporal ones as well.  

 

It won’t take long for you to look at a few school websites and see phrases like these:

• Committed to Excellence in Academics
• Excellence in athletics
• Striving for Excellence

We would all agree that excellence is a good thing.  My only question is, how do we know what it is? When I have asked that question in the past, I get responses like:

• Doing your best effort
• Superiority
• Being better than others
• Very good
• Perfection

My question then is, how do we know what is best? There has to be a standard that outlines what is best and what is not, correct?  Many times, the world’s standard of excellence is based on achievement, money, power, position, possessions, strength, or victory. There is usually a spirit of comparison and competition.

In order for us in Kingdom schools to truly achieve excellence, our standard must be higher than the world’s standard. When we think of it, our standard must be “perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect.”  Our standard is Christ Himself, based on His Word, and aiming at His glory.  

I am confident that as we strive for perfection in Christ, we just might achieve excellence in other areas of our lives.  As we grow in our knowledge of God and obey His Word and live for His glory, we will then come closer to achieving excellence in our homes, churches, schools, and in every area of our lives. 

Humility is one of those character qualities that the moment you think you have it you just lost it!

Over my 30 years of serving in Christian education, I must say that humility is one trait that I value the most in others and I strive to grow in myself.  Why?

First, Scripture instructs us to be humble.

• “Clothe yourself with humility towards one anther”- 1 Peter 5:5
• “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time.”- I Peter 5:6
• “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness.”- Ephesians 4:2

Second, a truly humble person will realize their shortcomings and dependence upon God.

“Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”- Romans 7:24-25

Third, a truly humble person will die to himself and his desires and live for the Lord.

• “I will most gladly spend and be expended for souls.”- 2 Corinthians 12:15
• “But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.”

As you lead in your schools and classrooms today, I encourage you to “humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and he will exalt you” and use you today!- James 4:10

 

My mantra over the years has been, “control what you can control”.  Of course, we know that when it comes to changing the heart of every student in our school, it is outside of our control.  However, I do believe there are some things we can control that could help us see the desired outcome we want in the hearts of our students.  

In 1 Thessalonians 2:1-13, Paul models what I believe to be three things that could help capture the hearts of our students.

First, Paul demonstrated a sincere affection for the people in the church.

• “Proved to be gentle among you”

• “Having so fond of affection for you”

• “Well pleased to impart to you…our own lives”

Second, Paul lived his life in a way that was consistent and Christ-like.

• “Devoutly, uprightly, and blamelessly we behaved”

• “Exhorting, encouraging, and imploring”

• “Never came with flattering speech”

• “Did not seek glory from men”

Third, Paul consistently testified to the gospel of God.

• “Well-pleased to impart to you…the gospel of God”

• “Proclaimed to you the gospel of God”

• “We had boldness in God to speak the gospel”

Of course, there is no guarantee that these things will draw a young person to the saving knowledge of Christ.  However, I do believe that as our words, actions, and affections honor Christ, there is a better chance that God will use these things in the lives of our students.  We see this in how the people responded to Paul’s life:

“We constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.”

May God use your love, actions, and words to draw others to Christ, today! 

It finally happened!  My wife and I dropped our last child off at college and now find ourselves “empty nesters”. I must admit, it is an odd feeling.  A mixture of emotions.  There is excitement in knowing your children are ready to move on but also sadness in missing those you love and knowing things will never be the same.  

At the same time, there are moments of reflection when you ponder, “did we do everything we could do to prepare them for this moment?”

Scripture is very clear on what we as parents should do:

“Train up a child in the way they should go”

“Bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord”

Teach your children what God has commanded us, “when you sit in the house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.”

That passage in Deuteronomy almost sounds too simple, but I have found in my life as a child and as a parent, it is profoundly true and practical.  Over the last 22 years, there are three simple things my wife and I tried to do in order to keep the commandments of God before our kids:

Spend Time Together

Spending time together seems rather obvious but, unfortunately, many families are so busy, distracted, and fractured that they do not spend enough time together.  How does this look?

• Eat dinner as a family
• Have open, honest, and fun conversations in the car, living rooms, bedrooms, vacations, and wherever you are as a family
• Turn off the media and play games
• Support your child’s interests and be present

Do Church Together

In our busy world, it is easy to get out of the habit of going to church.  I encourage you to be committed to your local church, be together as a family, serve together in the church, and talk together through what God is teaching you through His church.

Keep God’s Word in Front of Them

It is easy to overthink how best to teach our kids the truths of God’s word.  I admit, we have forced family devotions some over the years and been frustrated in the process.  If you have experienced something similar, don’t get frustrated.  Look for simple and intentional ways to keep God’s word in front of your kids:

• Send them to a Christ-centered school and be engaged in what God is doing through the teacher and classroom in the life of your child.
• Find time, either around the table or in natural conversations, to remind your family of biblical truth.
• As your kids get older, send a daily verse through text.
• Simply live out and speak the biblical truth that God is using to work in and through your life.

God commands us to “Go therefore into all the world, making disciples…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”  The beautiful thing is, we don’t have to travel far as we can be faithful to this command in our own homes. My prayer is, as we faithfully strive to make disciples, we can drop our kids off at college and know that God will finish the work that He started in the lives of our children.  

In Christian education, leadership is not just about administration or academics—it is about creating a culture where truth is firmly anchored in God’s Word. For leaders who seek to implement Kingdom Education, a biblical worldview is not optional; it is essential.

Why a Biblical Worldview Matters

Amid cultural pressures toward relativism, Scripture provides leaders with stability and clarity.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16)

When Scripture is the foundation, policies, curriculum, and practices remain aligned with God’s purposes rather than shifting cultural opinions. Institutions that drift off of a biblical worldview foundation often are those that are not grounded deeply in God’s Word, making it the living curriculum and nothing else.

Education as Discipleship

Kingdom Education is not simply about academics with a Christian perspective—it is discipleship through learning.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10)

Leaders with a biblical worldview recognize that true wisdom cannot be divorced from spiritual formation. Thus the foundation of any leader must be biblical worldview.

Modeling Integrity and Transformation

Leadership in Kingdom Education requires personal example. As Paul reminds us:

“Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2)

A leader who lives out a biblical worldview demonstrates that education is not neutral—it is a tool for transformation into Christ’s image.

Barna Research: A Wake-Up Call

Barna Group’s research underscores the urgency of worldview-driven leadership:

• Only 4% of American adults possess a biblical worldview.
• Just 9% of born-again Christians meet this standard.
• 92% of U.S. adults hold a syncretistic worldview, blending beliefs from secular ideologies and spirituality.
• Even among church leaders, only 37% of pastors maintain a biblical worldview.

These statistics reveal why leadership grounded in Scripture is vital. Without it, Christian education risks being shaped more by culture than by Christ.

The Leader’s Responsibility

To preserve the integrity of Kingdom Education, leaders must:

✅ Ground every decision in Scripture – ensuring biblical authority shapes all policies and teaching (2 Tim. 3:16).
✅ Prioritize discipleship alongside academics – recognizing education is always shaping one’s worldview (Prov. 9:10).
✅ Model Christ-centered integrity – influencing by example (Rom. 12:2).
✅ Equip teachers and parents – raising the standard and resisting the drift toward syncretism.

Call to Action

For Kingdom Education to flourish, leadership must be anchored in Scripture, informed by research, and lived out with integrity. A biblical worldview provides moral clarity, cultivates transformation, and equips the next generation to stand firm in faith.

Leaders, the challenge is clear:

• Commit daily to Scripture.
• Lead boldly with conviction.
• Model transformation in Christ.

By doing so, you not only shape your school today—you equip future generations for life and eternity.

The legacy of Kingdom Education rests not in buildings or programs, but in leaders who live and lead through the lens of God’s Word.

At the heart of Kingdom Education lies an unshakable reality: truth is not an idea, a feeling, or a cultural trend, it is a Person. Jesus declared in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” This Truth establishes Him as the cornerstone for worldview development, both in life and in eternity.

Every student is forming a worldview, by default or design. The influences of media, peers, and culture constantly whisper competing messages about identity, purpose, and truth. Without a Christ-centered anchor, those voices can lead to confusion and compromise. Kingdom Education, however, insists that the foundation of all truth is grounded in Jesus Christ. Colossians 2:3 reminds us, “In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” To teach apart from Christ is to miss the source of Truth.

Worldview development, then, is not merely about teaching Bible stories or adding prayer to the classroom. It is about shaping how students see every subject—science, history, literature, and even the arts—through the lens of God’s truth. When students recognize Jesus as Truth, they begin to discern falsehood, embrace righteousness, and live with eternal purpose.

In a world where truth is often seen as relative, Kingdom Education boldly proclaims that truth is absolute and unchanging because it is rooted in the unchanging Christ. Educators, parents, and churches must partner together to ensure that the worldview being cultivated in the next generation is not built on shifting sand, but on the solid rock of Jesus.

When Jesus is the foundation, education moves beyond academics—it becomes discipleship, shaping hearts and minds for both life and eternity.

A Prayer for the Classroom/School

Heavenly Father, today I place my classroom at Your feet. Let every word spoken, every lesson taught, and every interaction point to Jesus, who is the Truth. Guard the hearts and minds of my students from confusion, and help them see the world through Your Word. May their worldview be shaped by Christ, the solid rock, and not by the shifting sands of culture. Give me wisdom to teach with grace, courage to stand on truth, and love that reflects Your heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.