Jennifer Thomason
Director / CEO – Christian Schools International
Many Christian schools were founded to bring together families, churches and education. Some describe this as a three-legged stool. The overwhelming commitment to Christian education from many churches in the 1950’s to the 1990’s included significant financial support for families from their church. This was a symbiotic relationship and partnership with families that centered around Biblical principles and practices. Putting something in the offering plate on Sunday mornings meant not only giving to the church, but also supporting the school with an eye on the future children who would walk through the school doors.
The expectations and hopefulness that families experience when they join a Christian school is palpable, and I’ve seen it firsthand for almost 30 years. The excitement of those first days, meeting new friends and families is quickly followed by the joy of participating in Christian community. In that community, the focus on faith formation transforms children and families. Great Christian schools understand that it is by participating in Christian community that we experience the Kingdom of God here on earth. We learn to love others, we grow in our knowledge of who God is and what He has done for us, and we learn to be a blessing to each other as we serve each other. Christian schools (and our churches) support families as they raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 4:6).
My personal involvement in Christian education first began as a parent. Subsequently, I became a coach, teacher, principal and then head of school. I have seen on a deeply meaningful level the incredible impact that Christian education had on my children from support in the classroom to leading virtual Bible studies through college to authentic friendships based on common love for Christ as adults with children. I have seen the same from a professional perspective as well. In a flourishing school, God impacts the lives of everyone.
The need for strong, sustainable, Christ-centered schools is more important each day. Our culture is desperate for our Saviour, and the opportunity that Christian schools have to significantly impact individuals, families and culture has amplified in the past several years. Many Christian schools are bursting at the seams. Demand is high because, as the research from Cardus has shown, the impact on faith, spirituality, morality and even the workforce is higher in graduates of faith-based schools. (Cardus Education Survey). This is good news for families and for the Kingdom, but it brings up a critical question: how are we being faithful now to ensure the lifespan of our schools?
In order to strategically plan for the future, we have to get involved in the funding of our future schools. When people ask me why I am doing my job now, my answer has always been so that my grandchildrens’ grandchildren will have a Christ centered school to attend. I am thinking about children that I will never meet, but I want them to experience Christian community at school just like my own children did. We have to look beyond the school of today and plan for the next generation.
There are many different ways to do that. I know many people who have estate plans that include Christian schools, I know folks who use stock gains each year to give. I know aunts and uncles who give to special projects or monthly. I also know current Christian school parents who are paying tuition, some sacrificing deeply, but giving when and if they can for others. This last statement reminds me of a story that illustrates how God’s people support each other.
Several years ago, a family approached me because they couldn’t pay their tuition bill. Mom had just been diagnosed with cancer, and medical bills were piling up. I told them not to worry, prayed with them, and then saw God work. Other families, hearing about this situation, brought some of their precious excess to pay the bill. God was good, mom went into remission, and a couple years later, she came to me and gave me a check for what they had been given. She said, “God provided for us, so we want to provide for someone else.” And this is how God honors our commitment to him and to loving others.
I challenge you to think ahead. To look forward. To do what you can to keep our Christian schools flourishing for the families of the future. That family might just be yours.
I am excited about what God has called me to in this later season in my career in education because of one thing. I want to be sure that there are great Christian schools for my grandchildrens’ grandkids. We, and I’m including myself in this equation, are part of setting up schools in 2030 and beyond for success now. Boards should be strategically planning for the future as they support the leaders in fulfilling each school’s mission.
Jennifer Thompson
Director / CEO
Christian Schools International
https://www.csionline.org/about