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by Molly Dillon / Keizer Campus Principal
As we begin this new season of life together it is important to keep at the forefront of our priorities the reality that we are all leaders. Leaders in our homes, our professions, our churches, coaching our kids, and ultimately as Christians. We may not have realized it, signed up for it, or necessarily agree to it, but nevertheless we are called. In our spheres of influence we are to lead others to Christ, and inspire those around us as Paul writes in Ephesians 4:1 “...to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Minute by minute our lives should reflect that of the one who called us. Over the summer I reflected on and thanked God for the many leaders He has strategically placed throughout my life. Their impact inspired me to search my Bible for wisdom in discovering the qualities God desires in all of His leaders. I immediately became intrigued by the journeys of Saul and David. Neither intentionally set out on a career path to leadership, yet both found themselves holding a crown, weighted with authority. Both shared the same God, and likely an equivalent number of failures, yet each had vastly different experiences based on their character. Saul led by fear, caved under pressure, and chose not to take responsibility for his actions. His character exposed that he was more concerned about what others thought, than about what God thought. Conversely, David led with courage and extraordinary faith. He was a man who prayed continually, listened for God’s voice, and when caught in sin, he repented. Because of David’s love for God, obedience, and grateful attitude, he was deemed “a man after God’s own heart”. He was not without flaws, but allowed God to shape his character as a result of them. What will be brought to light when, as leaders, we make a mistake or fail? Do our actions show a desire to please God above all else? Are the decisions we make based on a life humbly submitted to God’s ultimate authority, or do we merely allow God to be a part of our lives? The answers will reveal our character and our potential effectiveness as the leaders God calls us to be in this particular season of our lives. May we all be leaders after God’s own heart. – Molly Dillon / Keizer Campus Principal by Adam Kronberger / Superintendent
September has arrived! This means that school has started, and football season is underway. Whether from my couch or in the stands, I love watching a good game of football. While I have been known to fall asleep a time or two watching a game in my house, when I am awake the game receives my full attention. I don’t want to miss a single snap or replay. In contrast, there are other responsibilities I often struggle with giving my full attention. At the end of the summer I updated my CPR training. I feel confident in the instruction I received and retained, but admit that focus was an issue at times. This strange dichotomy can exist in many areas of our lives. Events or tasks that we enjoy, despite any apparent lack of meaning, are often received with our full attention. While other responsibilities can challenge our abilities to maintain focus, despite an obvious measure of value to them. Such as watching grown men play with a pigskin versus learning how to save someone’s life. This realization helps me to better identify with students. This month the staff and students are focusing on the character trait of attentiveness. This quality allows us to “concentrate on the person or task before me.” The classroom can be a place where concentration can be difficult. It can often carry little interest for students. Yet the value of the instruction can be immeasurable. In the parable of the sower (Mark 4), Jesus compares the differences of soils in farming to the amount of softness in our hearts. God is eager to sow His truth into our lives just as a farmer sows seeds into the soil. But a heart (or soil) that is hardened, shallow, or full of weeds the world provides will miss out on life-giving gifts from God. Every day the truth of God’s Word and the truth in His creation are being presented to and investigated by our students. The teachers work diligently to create a learning environment that initiates student excitement with the material. For the heart of attentiveness is a soft one. We want students to be eager to consider each teacher or assignment as an opportunity to be transformed. Just as a seed planted in good soil multiplies itself into a harvest, our prayer is that students’ lives bear fruit that furthers His Kingdom. Each day students and teachers will be “caught” demonstrating the monthly character trait. Character Recognition Forms can be obtained from the office or the classroom to be filled out and returned to the office. These students will be celebrated through various forms of recognition. The first week and chapel of the new school year has been amazing. Please partner with us in prayer as hearts are cultivated to receive God’s Word. – Adam Kronberger / Superintendent |
Adam Kronberger
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