by Adam Kronberger / Head of School
As I prepare our family vehicles for the winter driving season, the condition of the tires is one of main priorities. I check the air pressure and determine if the tread depth will provide sufficient traction in all driving conditions. As lead disciplers in the lives of our children, we actively provide modeling and training to our children. We want them prepared to thrive in all of life’s conditions. Recently, I was having a discussion with a high school student in my office. Though they had been in my office before for several personal discipleship opportunities, this particular occasion was focused with concern about a classmate's situation. The student asked me how I decide to become involved (administratively) when students make mistakes. I summarized how God’s grace and mercy will often insulate my office from student’s shortcomings to allow them time to correct their misbehavior on their own. But when inappropriate actions clearly come across my desk, I take the opportunity to apply the process of discipline toward a harvest of righteousness as outlined in Hebrews 12. The student quickly added a twist to this principle. They stated that their earlier “divine appointments” in my office were also applications of God’s mercy and grace. “Getting caught” and being held accountable by those in a position of leadership was an act of mercy and grace. Without intervention, the student learned that the results were going to be negative if the student had been left on their own. Just as tires can slowly lose air pressure over time, our children can lose direction without an influx of fresh air. Over the summer I was having a conversation with a parent whose high school child was going to hang out with some friends who didn’t share their Christian worldview. As the parent took the initiative to prepare and remind their child of the pitfalls and opportunities the evening may present, the child jumped in and proclaimed, “I know mom... discover, develop, deploy (CCS motto)!” Apparently, their child had been listening to the consistent voices of influence developing the child’s manual for the road of life. It is much easier in the moment to assume that the tires on my vehicles are roadworthy. But that would certainly put my family’s safety in jeopardy (and disappoint the late Les Schwab who spoke at my high school graduation). It’s also much easier in the moment to assume that our children are going to learn correctly on their own. But that would certainly put our child’s future in jeopardy, and fall short of God’s call for us as parents. So inflate those tires, initiate training with your children, and enjoy hours of safe and profitable driving. – Adam Kronberger / Head of School by Adam Kronberger / Head of School
Throughout its 25 years of existence, Crosshill Christian School (formerly Willamette Christian School) has served hundreds of families according to its mission of discipleship training. Along the way, a new campus in Keizer has been added and grades have been extended through high school. Academic options have broadened with dual credit college courses for high school students and an education support department serving the needs of students in all grades with learning disabilities. Most recently, both enrollment growth and facility growth have expanded the school’s reach. The school has recently begun to turn families away who are looking for the unique academic services and discipleship training Crosshill provides. Through prayerful consideration, we believe God desires the school to continue fulfilling its mission to a larger community. Improvements to the south campus entrance have already been completed (the "Link"), and facility improvements and classroom expansion on the Keizer Campus are already funded and in the planning stages. In addition, the leadership of Church on the Hill and Crosshill Christian have approved the construction of a new high school building on the South Campus. This new building, called the Eagle Building, will ease existing crowding, allow for the enrollment of new families, and provide significant improvements to the high school facilities. The building will contain eight classrooms, including a Chemistry lab, and two locker rooms. Every Crosshill family will benefit from the new building. Approximately $4.6 million is needed to complete the construction of the Eagle Building. At a recent Church on the Hill “Kingdom Builders” event, over $275,000 was raised in one evening towards this project. Through generous donations and secured financing, only $650,000 remains to complete the project. The building effort is currently in full swing with a target date of completion of Christmas 2019. Please keep this project and the school in your thoughts and prayers as God's vision of Kingdom Education continues to be fulfilled. – Adam Kronberger / Head of School by Molly Dillon / Keizer Campus Principal
Each morning, around 7:10 a.m. a particular student cheerfully and confidently bounces into my office to bestow upon me a joy-filled hug. I cherish this daily gift because it hasn’t always been this way. Over the past 5 years, there were occasions this student bounded into my office, handed me a sealed note from a teacher, arms protectively crossed, giving ME the “stink eye”. Other times I was summoned to the scene of a major meltdown to pick up the pieces of this tearful, discouraged, and frustrated child. As I reflected on and praised God for this student’s new season of happiness and achievement, I realized that these hugs are a sign of the harvest. We are blessed to have invested years of loving discipleship, one teacher after another, faithfully planting the word of God in this student’s life. Earnest prayer and loving-kindness nurtured this sprouting spirit. Strategic planning and encouragement cultivated a successful path to academic growth. I believe a harvest can come in small and unexpected ways. We will certainly miss out unless we learn how to recognize them and according to God’s promises, expect them. This year I have observed an amazing peace in our classrooms, that’s a harvest. Our high school boys soccer team won the championship, that’s a harvest for sure! Every example of our children growing in character and Christ-likeness is part of the harvest. Is your child finally turning in their homework on time? That’s definitely a harvest to be celebrated. Also to be celebrated is the harvest of a strong partnership between families, church and school. These relationships create the unique bond of a promise described in Ecclesiastes 4:12 “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Together we have weathered each growing season and have shared in reaping the blessings of discipleship. Nevertheless, before we get too excited about ourselves, Paul reminds us that “It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God’s workers.” 1 Corinthians 3:7-9 (NLT). As a co-laborer, I am so grateful to be a part of what God is doing in the lives of Crosshill students, and for each new season, with new opportunities to disciple. – Molly Dillon / Keizer Campus Principal by Adam Kronberger / Head of School
As Daylight Savings Time recently came to an end and the days have turned chilly, I remember with fondness a 95 degree day this past July at an Idaho water park called Roaring Springs. The combination of radiant heat, cool water, and joyful screams made the high ticket price worth it. Perhaps the main drawback was the long lines. Early in the day, the waiting can produce much needed conversation. But by mid-day, each fruitless minute in line only accelerates the desire to leave early. So when we found a desirable ride that was void of a long line, we rejoiced over our new circumstance. And as an act of self-preservation, we kept our newfound benefit to ourselves. Bringing attention to our superior experience would only had nullified its reward as a crowd of equally needy forlorn families would have quickly joined our line. Fortunately, the line for the gospel of Jesus Christ is always short. If you want a ticket for the ride to eternal life with your Heavenly Father, there is a FASTPASS waiting for you. In fact, believers can hand out those FASTPASSES like candy. And unlike a water park or amusement park, your experience is not hindered when you share with others the secret of the joy in your life. Rather, it is enhanced. Those who turn many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever (Daniel 12:3) and will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ (Philemon 1:6). The apostle Jonah didn’t get the message. While God had called him to be a prophet of repentance, Jonah wanted to be a prophet of judgment. Instead of being used by God for His purposes, Jonah wanted to use God for his own purposes. As we engage daily with people who God puts in our path, may we not speak out of what we want from that person, but may we salt our speech with what we want FOR that person. Namely, that the transforming power of the gospel of Jesus Christ will invade their life. As our children line up at the door and at chapels and at bedtime, may we point them to the gift of the gospel of Jesus Christ. – Adam Kronberger / Head of School by Adam Kronberger / Head of School
A few months ago I was given a generous gift card to one of my favorite restaurants where I always order a “Spicy Teriyaki Chicken Bowl.” I quickly scheduled a couple of long overdue lunch appointments at a nearby location (my treat!). As I walked up to pay after my first lunch meeting, I was made aware that my gift card was not valid at that particular chain location. My hospitality of paying for the entire check just got REAL. I was required to exercise true unselfishness as I handed over cold hard cash in an unexpected way. My half-hearted sacrifice continued 2 days later at my next lunch meeting already scheduled at that same location (my treat!). A few weeks later, I strategically planned some family errands to Keizer Station around a rare family dinner eating out (my treat!). As I proudly approached the cash register to experience the blessing of that same gift card, I was informed that my gift card was not valid at that location either. The expression on my face was a mixture of surprise, denial, and disgust. A moment of true humility came a second later as my wife gently directed my attention to the clear address on the gift card of the one location it was valid for. I was clearly to blame for not properly exercising the gift card, as the instructions had always been in plain sight. Over a billion dollars worth of gift cards go unused each year. While that makes me feel a little better, I doubt that statistic makes the giver of those gift cards feel any better. In James 1:17, we read, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” Everything that is good in our lives comes directly from God, the source of all good gifts. How many of those gifts have we failed to exercise rightly because we don’t read the instructions? God’s word is full of guidance on how to daily enjoy and serve others with the many gifts He has given us. Recently, with great pomp and circumstance, I enjoyed a “Spicy Teriyaki Chicken Bowl” with my wife, making full use of the gift card that had generously been given to me. This lesson has helped me to consider other gifts that I might find in my wallet, daily schedule, or constant decisions that need a little more attention to detail. May each of us not contribute to leaving “billions” of God’s gifts unused properly. – Adam Kronberger / Head of School |
Adam Kronberger
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