Derek J. Keenan, Vice President, Academic Affairs, ACSI
This year, CSE has focused on authentic Christian education. When we link the terms authentic and Christian education, we mean to eliminate the idea that being Christian is an excuse for being less than excellent. In too many places, the word Christian is used to excuse the neglect of serious issues of school quality. These schools tend to replace rigorous academic requirements with standards that allow slipshod work, to disregard thoughtful spiritual formation especially as it involves the academic disciplines, and to accept an all-too-long list of other mediocrities. Our magazine authors are making the case for those in Christian schools—including the board, administration, faculty, and staff—to be in continuous pursuit of the genuine. In this case, genuine refers to being a school measured by whether the thoroughly Christian education offered to students is of authentic quality. Genuine also means being a school that operates in a consistent manner, from the way the board conducts business to the way personnel maintain the facilities and greet people in the office. Genuine is a glorious word! It bespeaks a sought-after level of reality worthy of note and emulation.
This issue of CSE hones in on authenticity as it applies to members of the Christian school board. These trustees sit in a position of powerful influence in the life of the school. Collectively, they have the soul of the school in their hands each time they meet. In some cases, they come to the board table with an agenda that is personal as well as intrinsically divisive and detrimental. Note the use of the word trustees. A trustee is one placed in a position of honor and influence, but more than that it is one entrusted with the welfare of the school. Although being a trustee is a seriously demanding job, it is doable if we have the passion and requisite courage to live out the commitment of servanthood. The test that uncovers the intent of the heart comes through the opportunity to act on principle when personal preference is in conflict with principle. Authentic Christian school boards build into their decision-making processes the tensions needed to control the whims or unhealthy dominance of individual members. Boards must have biblical integrity that strongly mitigates against individual or corporate actions that are capricious or petty.
What characteristics reflect authentic Christian school board members? They are genuine in their faith. There are places for nominal believers and even professing nonbelievers to give input about the operation of the school, but trustees must be able to hear from the Holy Spirit. Board members must also demonstrate the ability to put the welfare of the institution ahead of a personal agenda, no matter how noble that personal agenda may be. They must have the heart of a servant, the humility of a saint, and a biblically reasoned and thoughtful approach to issues.
Other qualities of authenticity are thoughtfulness, appropriate presentation of advocacy or dissent, and a clear sense of the difference between the important and the trivial. You might say that this level of authenticity is impossible, but it is not. For nearly a quarter century, I served a board of directors who manifested authenticity year in and year out and continue to do so to this day. Were they perfect? Of course not. But they never wavered in their commitment to being genuinely and thoroughly Christian. The impacts on the school community were great stability, constituent confidence, and freedom for the staff to pursue the school’s mission. These are the logical results of a school board that is being what it ought to be—vitally, courageously, and genuinely Christian.
Editor's Note: The Authentic Christian School Board Member 6.4