In Her Own Words - A Parent's Perspective

Lisa Barry

Radio Host - 98.5 KTIS 
Minneapolis/St. Paul

Our family has experienced all forms of education from home school to public to charter schools and private. At our oldest daughters request, we sent her to a public high school. Though she started out fine, by the second year I noticed she was picking up more of the negative influences in the environment. She was nearing a fork in the road and one path was leading toward a destructive lifestyle and though she wasn’t totally on that path yet, she was definitely leaning that way. If I didn’t do something soon, I knew it would be harder to get her to back up and make the choice later.

I talked to a spiritual leader about this and explained to him my dilemma because I had promised my daughter that she could go do public school and that I’d be going back on my word. He told me, “well, we don’t let our children make those important decisions, do we? You’ll need to apologize to her and explain that you made a mistake in promising something that might be wrong for her. "

I realized that as a parent, I needed to put my daughter in an environment where she could make right decisions so I pulled her in March of her sophomore year (crazy timing, I know). And though it was horrible for a while, the following fall, major change began.

She was used to giving status quo work in a multiple-choice world. She didn’t expect much of herself and didn’t think she was capable of more than her minimal work. The teachers at Calvin Christian High School didn’t accept her lack-luster attempts at school work. It’s not to say they expected more of her than she was capable, but they could see that she had more to give, more to offer, more than even she knew. They continued to push, she continued to give a little more and a little more. Even she was surprised at what the teachers were able to pull out of her. Her self confidence grew, her love for learning grew and her desire to grow spiritually grew in leaps and bounds.

These teachers were able to accomplish what I was powerless to do. How can you put a price tag on that? I am so indebted to these individuals and this school, and that is no exaggeration!

Scholarship Opportunity!

The Master's College Essay Contest Deadline Extended to February 18thJanuary 26, 2009

David Wheaton, author, pro tennis champion, editor of TheChristianWorldview.com, and national host of The Christian Worldview radio program, announces an extended deadline for The Master’s College Essay Contest. High school and college students can now turn in their essays up until Wednesday, February 18, 2009, for the opportunity to receive a $5,000 GRAND PRIZE tuition scholarship to The Master’s College in Santa Clarita, CA, one of the leading Christian Colleges in the world which is led by president, John MacArthur.

ADDITIONAL PRIZES: The winner will also receive complimentary airfare, lodging, and meals for College View Weekend at The Master’s College from March 26-28, 2009. All students who submit an essay will be sent a complimentary copy of “Think Biblically: Recovering a Christian Worldview,” written by John MacArthur, who is a nationally renowned pastor, author and hosts the “Grace To You” radio program.

ESSAY TOPIC: Submitted essays should describe a time of trial or suffering that the student has seen or experienced, and the way in which God accomplished His purposes through this trial. Essays should be between 1000 and 1500 words in length, and must be the student’s original work. The winner of the contest will be announced approximately one week after the deadline, and the winning essay will be posted on TheChristianWorldview.com.

ELIGIBILITY: Entry to the contest is for students who could attend The Master’s College in either the 2009 or 2010 school years.

For more information on the Master’s College Essay Contest, visit www.TheChristianWorldview.com.

Hothouse - The Best Growing Environment

Today's Christian Education Commentary

with Harold Naylor

How is a Christian school like a hot house for plants?

Educating children is like growing young plants. They both need basic nutrition, rich soil free of contaminants, clear air and sunshine. Like young plants, children are not yet ready to put into an environment that is hostile or unhealthy – they need protection at young ages.

The family, church and the school are the child’s best growing environment, just like the hot house is to young plants.

When the roots are deep enough, the trunk strong enough, and the foliage is plentiful, the plant can go into a new world and thrive. So, too, is the child who is grounded in God’s Word and teaching.

The Psalmist describes the blessed man: “He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.”

You can find your child’s educational hot house by simply logging onto www.discoverchristianschools.com.

DiscoverChristianSchools.com - Where Christian education is priceless!

The 10 Most Popular Myths Christian Parents Believe

PERSPECTIVE: A Christian Worldview on Education and Family

Mike Lee, Superintendent (Cherokee Christian Schools)
©2008 by Cherokee Christian Schools (used with permission)

Please click here for a full text of the article as originally published by Cherokee Christian Schools.
Answers to the question: Why do Christian Parents Choose to educate their Children in a School that Excludes Christ?
Encouragement

“No one will read this!” This has been the feedback we have received from some who proofed this writing. They contend that most people are no longer willing to read anything more than a “sound bite.” They tell us that the average person just wants the bottom line or the Cliffs Notes version. “Just email me, or better yet, text me- it’s quicker.”Our “bottom line” to you: please give this writing ten minutes of your time. Using the power and truth of biblical principles, it contains information that may change your life and the life of your children forever.

A Difficult Message to Write

We have taken six months to write this booklet. It has been critiqued by parents, grandparents, and teachers both in the Christian and public school sectors. Some have said the message is terrific. Others have said it is preachy or self-righteous. Still others said it was harsh. We listened to the criticisms and made changes that we hoped would remove any tone that would offend while not changing the truths herein. We understand that what we have written will not win the praise of the world. However, we are not seeking that praise. This booklet is designed to bring truth to minds of Christian parents who choose to have their children educated in a public school or a private non-Christian school. It is not directed to homeschool parents or non-Christian parents. We could ignore what is going on in our culture and say nothing, but that would not be biblical. Christians are called to be truth tellers, even when what we say may be unpopular. Please know our heart on this: we have written this booklet because we love the Lord, love the brethren, and love children. Psalm 40:9-11 says, “I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great congregation; Behold, I will not restrain my lips, O LORD, You know. I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your loving-kindness and Your truth from the great congregation.” Our hope is that God will bless the sharing of His truth through this booklet.

Special note to Christian public school teachers and administrators: this booklet cites some of the unbiblical weaknesses of the public school in America. Please do not read this as a personal attack. We appreciate that you do not agree with the philosophy of the public schools and want to encourage you to be a warrior for Christ in that setting. Although we do not believe that Christ intended for children to be missionaries in the public school, He does intend Christian adults to speak His truth boldly wherever they are. We urge you to trust the Lord as you follow your calling.

Introduction

You have probably heard the term “like a frog in the kettle.” It refers to a situation where the frog sits in room temperature water in the kettle and neither knows nor feels the subtle changes that are happening in the water. Degree after degree, the water increases in heat and eventually the frog is boiled to death. So it is with many Christian families in America. With the decline of Christianity in our culture and many in the American church behaving more like the world, many Christian families are being boiled to death. Instead of realizing that there is a continual increase in the cultural temperature, Christian parents are being fooled again and again, believing misinformation that is killing the spiritual life of their children. What about you? Are you being fooled? Have you bought into the secular perspectives that we are constantly bombarded with each day? Have you taken the time and energy to question the so called “facts” that we are fed from all angles?

Please read and consider the ten myths that Christian parents frequently believe. You still have time to jump out of the kettle!

The 10 Most Popular Myths Christian Parents Believe*

Myth 1: I am saving money by not paying Christian school tuition.

Myth 2: We can’t afford Christian school tuition.

Myth 3: The public school and the Christian parent have the same goal in mind for the child’s education so my child is not being damaged spiritually by going to a non-Christian school.

Myth 4: Exposing my child to ungodly thinking and actions will prepare my child for the “real world.”

Myth 5: Children should be missionaries in the public school.

Myth 6: My child will be best served by figuring out life while attending a non-Christian school.

Myth 7: The prom, dating, and sports are vital experiences for my child and can best be experienced in a public school.

Myth 8: My child is receiving a good education in the public schools.

Myth 9: The learning environment in the public school is good.

Myth 10: The ultimate in myth telling to Christian parents in America may not be because the myth is being created for belief by the public school administrators, public school teachers unions, or politicians. It may be that parents are creating a myth that they want to believe for themselves.

*For a complete “discussion” of each myth, please click here for the full text of the booklet.