Prayer and Practice: A Summer Stewardship Project

I have been blessed to meet many other Christian school administrators over the past decade. God has raised up godly and capable men and women who have much to contribute to their schools and local communities. They have taught me and supported me in growing into the position I hold in my school. I suspect many of you have done this for the "youngsters" who move into leadership roles.

Here is an idea to consider for this summer: find a "prayer and practice" friend with whom you can spend time.

Recently, I was approached by a long-time friend in Christian schooling to do some "visioning" together. He has lots of experience that is different than mine and I have some background that could be useful to him. In our first meeting we ranged over a number of issues and we were able to find a few areas where we could be helpful to each other. We agreed to come back together on a regular basis to discuss further how we could begin to enhance our respective schools.

How can you do this? Think of a person who you respect and who you could meet with on a regular basis. Summers are less structured times; we can think a little more creatively without the normal pressing schedules. Call and meet for coffee; a non-school venue is conducive to out-of-the-box thinking.

Lastly, pray with and for your friend asking the Lord to reveal His ideas to both of you. No need to worry about competition. There are plenty of students available if our parents get the big idea of Christian schooling.

Partnering with our "competitors"

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:

If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Christian schools have a wonderful opportunity to work together to advance and promote Christian education. Rather than see each other as competitors for a finite number of students, these cooperative schools see each other as partners in communicating the message that a Christian worldview is imperative for our children.

How can schools band together in these joint efforts and what does this have to do with stewardship? The answer to the second question first. When schools come together with one unified voice they save resources (time, talent, and money) as each one contributes to a larger effort. In my role with www.DiscoverChristianSchools.com I am working with 15 schools in the Twin Cities area for a November event. The evening is called Christian Education: A Real Choice for You and is a tribute to the organizers for their willingness to work together to speak to parents.

In this way the schools are being good stewards of their resources; one handles the advertising, another gets the venue, another lines up the speakers. and so on.

In order to partner together schools (and other like ministries for that matter) need to realize that we are not the only solution to a problem, but that the Lord purposes each of our schools with a special mission. Also, we must realize that there are plenty of potential students if we do our job to "raise the level of the pond" so that all boats (schools) float higher.

In short, partnering requires humility that reminds us that we are part of something larger than ourselves.

No Competition in the Kingdom

In ECFA's Focus on Accountability newsletter (2nd Qtr. 2009) Shelley Cochrane lays out the case for why we should not be striving to improve our ministry resources at the expense of other Kingdom enterprises.

See the entire article here http://www.ecfa.org/HomePage.aspx

Here is the shorthand version of Shelley's writing:

1. Shortage of resources - "...the issue of competition is only a symptom of a much greater problem. Competition in the kingdom exposes the fact that Christians falsely believe that resources are finite and inherently limited".
2. A God-centric model - "There is no evidence in God's word to indicate that God encourages competition to improve performance and motivation. A god-centric model is not based on a finite, closed system that encourages competition, but rather on the nature of God Himself. God is never confined to limitation of time and space."
3. The Human Element: Faith in God's Supply - "God created people with the ability to learn and think and act. Very often accomplishes His will by enabling men and women to exercise their gifts and abilities to produce good results."
4. So what does biblical stewardship look like? - "God resources what He initiates, and great care must be given to discerning the mind of Christ before creating an agenda that requires funding...When the believer crosses the line from fixating on the tangible to relinquishing himself into the hands of a fearsome God, this desperate dependence is the substance of faith."
5. Collaboration not Competition - "Whether the structural competition that has crept into our ministries is accidental or intentional, a choice must be made. Every single servant of God must choose: Either God is abundantly able to meet every need according to His riches in Christ Jesus or there is a shrinking pie of resources and each ministry must get a piece before it's gone." Shelley goes on describe how we fundraisers can help others to be generous toward God. This can only come if we believe everything we are telling the donor.

There is also a collaboration that can (and should) happen between ministries. This cooperation is not just exchanging ideas (tips, tricks and techniques), but sharing stories of transformation that the Lord Himself orchestrates; He just lets us be used in the process.

Lastly, what a testimony we can have when we demonstrate love and appreciation for each other's kingdom work. Non-Christian can look at that see how we love and care for each other.

More Gospel grace in action!