|
As I left Chapel this past Wednesday, I was looking forward to my Junior High Boys small group meeting coming up next. The expectation of tasting chocolate chip pumpkin muffins was certainly a big factor. But I was also curious to hear what the boys thought about the chapel time. In particular, there was one nugget of truth I looked forward to sharing with them. As we got settled in, I opened up the floor for students to share their thoughts. Then a curious thing happened…
The very first student shared exactly what I wanted to share! I was blown away. Many of their comments in the past have been thoughtful, but usually I had to be the one to steer our conversation toward deeper waters. Within the topic context of hospitality, the student shared the teaching that impacted them the most: “Try to be interested, not just interesting.” I was so excited (and surprised) to hear that the student shared the same takeaway I had. I quickly jumped in to expand on the rich truth the statement contains. I shared how easy it was for me to try to dominate a conversation, wanting to share my thoughts and my opinions rather than listening to others. I shared how my own pride often prevents me from listening to others in love, choosing rather to try to promote my own popularity. You probably quickly recognize the ironic hypocrisy of the situation. I wish I had reached the same awareness as swiftly. Near the end of my conversation-dominated monologue, I finally admitted to myself that I was not showing hospitality to my group of Junior High boys. Rather than showing interest in them, asking more questions, and listening attentively, I had put myself first in that situation. This entire year, the school is focusing on all of the “One Another” exhortations found in Scripture. God’s Word provides plenty of specific pictures of how to love one another. What a wonderful investment in the developing character growth of our students, and apparently our staff leaders as well! My group of boys, when given the opportunity, shared so many ways they can serve and put others first in their home, the classroom, and in their neighborhood. Let’s work together to support these acts of selfless love toward one another, and even practice a bit more of it ourselves (if the shoe fits). I recently enjoyed a fun night game experience at an OSU football game with some family members. Experiencing our first victory of the year certainly helped! During halftime, we enjoyed some Qdoba and the view from the upper deck balcony. Pulling out a Sour Apple Charms Blow Pop from my pocket, I noticed one of the stadium workers giving me a bit more attention than I was comfortable with. Eventually, he walked over and commented on the “contraband” in my mouth, obviously not purchased from any stadium vendors. It took me a while to even understand what he was talking about!
Two questions we often subconsciously ask ourselves are “Do I feel safe?” and “Do I feel loved?” Though a silly illustration, my lollipop interaction oddly checked both of those boxes. This security personnel had clearly been trained on the expectations for the stadium environment, and he was eager to support them. He also seemed to understand the value of the fan experience, approaching me with a degree of understanding and relatability. He was friendly and non-threatening. If event personnel were going to care about my lollipop, I concluded they certainly had more important matters under control as well. In the classroom, the most effective teacher (and often the most admired) has clear expectations for their classroom. While perceived “rules” can frequently be viewed by students with distaste, expectations and accountability build trust. Students want teachers in control of their shared environment. Students want to expect to be treated well by others. And on some level, students also want teachers to protect them from their own poor judgment, shortcomings, and detrimental behavior. Fulfilling these two needs for our children is a high responsibility as parents…and also a challenging one. Establishing expectations and requiring accountability can be uncomfortable at times. I’m sure the stadium worker would have rather chatted with me about our backup quarterback instead of my sneaky lollipop. In the same way, no parent desires to be the “bad guy.” But the irony is that actively guiding our children is “great parenting”. Limiting freedoms in line with a child’s growing maturity provides not only safety but also delivers genuine love. Praise be to God that He has modeled this so well for us! Complete surrender to His authority can be uncomfortable at times. But where else can we go to receive eternal protection and divine love! I have distinct and special memories of visiting my grandparents in Yerrington, Nevada. I remember sleeping on the living room floor in their modest trailer, waking up to the Sons of the Pioneers on the record player (a Western singing group from the 30’s/40’s/50’s). I would share the very early morning hours with my Grandpa Bart, enjoying his time-tested breakfast of eggs and toast. Before the mid-day heat, Grandpa Bart would pull on his suspenders and drive me to the local park to play several games of tennis. My unskilled enthusiasm and his seasoned slowness were a fairly good match.
This week, we celebrated our annual Grandparents’ Day for our First-Grade students. Our campus was filled with special presentations, engaging classroom activities, and the aroma of gallons of coffee. In 2 Timothy 1:5, the apostle Paul reminds Timothy that his faith was passed down to him from his grandmother. Timothy not only received this gift of faith but also took ownership of it for himself. Paul describes Timothy’s faith as “sincere.” Our mission of discipleship desires to follow this general principle in many ways. The foundation of faith for many of our students often begins in the home, where it is passed down through the generations. His powerful redemption is also revealed in any life at any time of repentance, even in the absence of a long faith legacy. Our school’s passion and responsibility is to mold and challenge students’ faith so that they make it their own. We know an authentic and genuine faith independent of circumstances is the true mark of a faithful disciple. After one “best-of-6” tennis set, there was little left in the tank for my Grandpa Bart and me. Our reward was often a special stop at the corner market. Even today, when I drive by a tennis court, my mouth waters for a special treat. With lives surrendered to Christ, our "tank" never needs to be empty. He is our living water, and we never need to thirst again. Even better than a slushee at the store, He refills us daily with love, joy, peace, and eternal life. May each of us consider how God designed us to share our refreshing faith with those entrusted to us! Despite my Oregon “country” roots growing up, I entered my 40s having never owned a truck. Through careful planning and savings, my wife and I agreed on a used “old-school” model, almost as old as I am. After a few trips around town, I immediately realized my identity had changed. I was now a “truck guy!” I was treated differently. Even when I tried to explain my newbie status (I have a Prius in my driveway), no one seemed to care. I had joined the fraternity of truck owners.
A similar and more meaningful identity is assumed when we choose to follow Christ. We are called children of God, and so we are! Our old identity has passed away, and we are each a new creation in Christ. Regardless of how little we have “owned” our faith, or how poorly we understand the “mechanics” of our faith, we have immediate entrance in God’s growing Kingdom. Throughout the month of October, the theme of “fellowship with one another” will be explored according to God’s design. Our vertical relationship with God creates a deep horizontal connection with other believers through our common union with Jesus Christ. His commandments to love God and love others flow directly from being loved by God and by others. God’s purpose for fellowship is for us to continue to grow our faith and grow His Kingdom. As a rookie truck owner, I initially reached out to my newfound community of other truck enthusiasts. We shared common interests, and I learned a great deal from them. But over time, I let my own insecurities and distractions distance me from those contacts and conversations. Without their support, my aged engine fell into disrepair. My daily driver did not leave my driveway, and it is currently stuck at the mechanic’s shop. “If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:6-7 Avoiding fellowship with God and with community can create an unhealthy darkness. But when we pursue Him and His design, His community surrounds us with so much support. Fellowship is a gift that comes from following Christ. It is also a muscle that requires regular exercise. I hope I can keep my truck running well through constant connection with truck guys smarter than me. I plan to keep my faith growing by investing in relationships that challenge me, correct me, and encourage me. Please pray that the fellowship of the CCS community grows closer to God’s design. May our children grow to value fellowship with other believers, guiding their faith with firm conviction into their next community! As I was monitoring afternoon carline on a recent beautiful sunny day, a parent struck up a conversation with me in the parking lot. Having both a current student and CCS graduates, we had plenty to catch up on. The parent remarked how her daughter would be graduating this year from college a year early! The multitude of dual college credit courses taken during high school at CCS enabled more flexibility with her college curriculum. The parent proclaimed, “We should give a donation back to CCS for all the money you helped us save!”
I never tire of reflecting and noting the amazing sacrifice within our CCS community. Parents, grandparents, teachers, and even students surrender other desires so they can say “yes” to the CCS experience. This practical choice points us all to the gospel. Jesus confirmed that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” It is with humble gratitude that we steward the treasures directed through our doors each day. It is with grateful amazement that we are able to participate with hearts eager to follow Jesus and disciple others each day. As a parent myself of a college graduate and another entering next year, I am familiar with the costs of helping support postsecondary education. As Head of School, I am also specifically aware of the significant investment by families to support their child’s K-12 Christian education. Our HS dual credit program with Corban University is a wonderful partnership that provides tremendous value for the transition out of high school. Our collaboration with Corban University also enriches the quality of our curriculum, delivered through a Christian worldview. Please know that your faithful tuition payments are regarded with high honor and appreciation. We desire that God hold the “purse strings” for how these resources are directed. We pray a blessing on Church on the Hill and generous donors who come alongside our families to invest in our campus and Kingdom work! Occasionally, I leave home for work and forget my cell phone behind. While I try to convince myself to survive without it, I inevitably have to run home to grab it. Too many potential necessary communications are tied to my device. In many ways, our cell phones can enrich community. We can be available to connect with so many people without always being physically present. Events and collaboration locally and around the world are more accessible.
For the past two weeks, our Junior High and High School students have been experiencing their annual fall retreats. Similar to the regular school day, cell phones are excluded. The experience is a great reminder of the even deeper connection available without a device. Research (and common sense) indicate that reducing or eliminating cell phone use can significantly improve mental health, attention, and focus. As I write this article, I am observing 165 teenagers engaged in a team-building competition. It is filled with conversation, play, connection, and smiles. Nobody is left out. The night before, during our worship and prayer time, students were quick to pray for each other, recognizing each other’s needs through subtle inferences. Most importantly, the God of the universe came into greater focus. While cell phones can be great, God’s creation is so much better. As temples of His Holy Spirit, being present with fellow believers naturally connects us further with our Creator. I encourage each of us to practice and prescribe a habit of regularly “forgetting” our cell phones. Whether it be time limits, restricted times, or a cell phone basket, let’s hit pause on our screens and spend a little more facetime with each other. I love to open my weekly JH boys small group at the start of the year with the question, “If you could be the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) in any ‘walk of life,’ what would it be?” The answers I receive help us get to know each other rather quickly. Many responses predictably fall within the field of professional sports. Others might focus on fields of business or entrepreneurship. Personally, I vacillate between NFL quarterback and best investor of all time.
Without much prompting, the conversation moves toward the impact such success can make in the Kingdom of God. In fact, many of the students’ GOAT dreams quickly evolve into ministry-related goals. This self-centered question transforms into a Kingdom-focused reflection. Whether it be increased resources or greater influence, every GOAT who follows Jesus wants to use God’s gifts to fulfill His calling for their lives. With this year’s chapel theme of discovering how God wants us to serve “one another,” we continue to look to the ultimate GOAT of all of creation. The life of Jesus provides us with God’s blueprint for living in community. As students grow in their Christ identity and unique personality, their passions, desires, and pursuits can be directed by His design. I quickly discovered that my only contribution to the NFL was from my couch, and that I am a much better index investor than stock trader. But I also learned to surrender my pursuits to God’s leading. Not only that, I chose to keep the gospel at the center of my decisions and allocation of time. We pray that every conversation that investigates a student’s future will be disciple-determined. God has a GOAT gospel plan prepared for all of our children...helping make Jesus famous! During my regular walks around our campus, I popped into one of our 6th-grade classrooms. On the screen in the front of the classroom was a verse from the book of James. The Scripture proclaimed that faith without works is dead. With all eyes on me, I wondered out loud to the students what the apostle Paul thought about that teaching. Paul, after all, made it clear that we are saved by God’s grace through faith. Salvation is a gift and not a result of works. As we all pondered the verse in James, I asked the class:
“Are we saved by grace through faith, or is a life without good works a dead faith? Which is it?” “Both!” responded the students. These 6th-graders were too wise to stumble into my sneaky binary snare. Over the next few minutes, we explored how Paul and James, together, were painting a complete picture of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The path to salvation is through faith. The result is a transformed life. As a result, the gospel not only washes away our sins, it also changes our identity. In our human weakness, God’s power is made perfect through His good works prepared for us to walk in. The Word of God can always be trusted, and reveals the depths of His riches. This year in chapel we are focusing on the theme “One Another.” There are over 50 commands in the Bible describing God’s design for our relationships with one another. I John 4:20 makes it clear that we can only truly love God if we also love one another. John 13:35 describes how others will know we are disciples of Jesus Christ by how we treat one another. We are excited to dive into these “one another” truths each week in our chapels, classrooms, and small groups. Please pray for God’s wisdom and power to continue to transform the lives of our students. And be sure to press into these truths at home as well. We know that “one another” opportunities abound just about everywhere!  Over the summer, many of our students participated in the “Crazy Saturday Night Market” in late July. Applying skills learned in their Marketing class, students (along with adult vendors) presented their blossoming businesses to curious customers. The results were as crazy as the event title suggests. Many sold out of their designed creations, pocketing profit and seed money for future growth. Valuable lessons were learned in how to meet the needs of the market.
Crosshill Christian School is God’s response to His design for discipleship training. He has placed in the hearts of families the desire to partner with a school community that pursues Him in all things. Over the years, God has required His school leaders to prepare room for His expected arrivals. Much like our student entrepreneurs, proper (and sometimes divine) planning has allowed God's campus and community to grow in unison. The chart below describes the journey of His school over several years. The blue bars represent the growing number of families God has drawn to His campus. The red line describes the steps of strategic expansion that provided room to receive those families. While many variables may begin to limit continued capacity expansion, the ongoing development of the campus remains a priority in pursuing fulfillment of our mission. In addition to our current turf project, work continues behind our high school building to provide additional classrooms, office space, and a weight room. With a completion date by next fall, this addition will enhance the delivery of quality curriculum and support to meet the needs of our secondary students and staff. In 2009, I joined the Crosshill Christian team and enrolled my oldest child in First Grade. We were excited to commit to a community that would extend the values and convictions in our home throughout her school day. Still maturing as parents, we were eager to partner with others who helped support the growth of families who follow Jesus. My daughter is now starting her Master's degree and her first professional job. Though still maturing as a follower of Jesus, her view of this world through the lens of God’s design and plans for redemption continues to guide her path.
This year, our youngest will enter his final year of high school. The only schooling he has experienced is within the CCS community. This is an experience I long to have enjoyed as a youth myself, and am grateful that God has provided for him. Our school often describes discipleship with the phrase Discover-Develop-Deploy. As he chooses his final annual mission trip destination with our high school, this blueprint appears to have been successfully transferred. He is asking, “Which trip will help me draw closer to Jesus? Where will I be challenged to grow in my faith? How can God use me?” The greatest gifts we can give our children are the powerful truths about their identity and purpose in Christ. Each of us is made in the image of our Creator, redeemed by grace through the blood of Jesus, and empowered by faith in a sovereign and personal God. These truths also provide clarity for the direction and decisions of our school. As God draws families to our campus, we desire to prepare a place that fulfills God’s purpose for His campus. And we are having so much fun doing it! |
Adam Kronberger
|
RSS Feed
SUPPORT |
NETWORK |
QUICK LINKS |
|
