MM Keep Thinking Education 2013
the Manna | March 2013
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the Manna | March 2013
Columns
29 | Reaching Milestones
07 | Signals 09 | On The Air
30 | Book Knowledge
Avoiding spiritual stagnation.
Storing up God’s Word in our hearts.
Features
33 | Home Is Where The Start Is
12 | Just The Facts
Parents are the first educators.
Teaching our children to live wisely.
14 | How To Be Saved 101 What do we really need to know?
19 | Featured Schools
Stay in Touch
34 | Any Given Sunday When faith and public school collide.
37 | The Song Your voice may sound different.
A look at what local schools have to offer.
26 | You Can’t Go Back Can innocence be restored?
wolc.org | readthemanna.org | March 2013
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the Manna | A Publication of Maranatha, Inc. Editor-In-Chief: Debbie Byrd Creative Director: Joe Willey Contributing Writers: Phil Bohaker, Keyanna Butts, Josh Millwood, B.A. Timmons, Karen Tull & Mary Tyler Media Client Liaisons: Adam Riggin and Randall Stapleton
Frequently Asked Questions Who We Are The Manna is published by Maranatha, Inc., a Christcentered ministry called to proclaim the Good News of faith and life in Jesus Christ through various forms of media, as God directs, until He returns. “Maranatha” (mer-a-nath´-a) is an Aramaic word found in I Corinthians 16:22. It is translated, “Our Lord, come!” Joy! 102.5 WOLC is also part of Maranatha, Inc. Its call letters stand for “Watch, Our Lord Cometh.” Maranatha!
Disclaimer Non-ministry advertisers are not required to subscribe to the “Statement of Faith” printed at right; nor are their businesses and products necessarily endorsed by the Manna, Joy! 102.5 WOLC, or Maranatha, Inc., whose viewpoints are not necessarily represented by the opinions or statements of persons interviewed in this magazine; nor are the viewpoints of its advertisers.
Statement of Faith We Believe… that the Holy Bible is the inspired, infallible and authoritative source of Christian doctrine and precept; that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; that the only hope for man is to believe in Jesus Christ, the virgin-born Son of God, who died to take upon Himself the punishment for the sin of mankind, and who rose from the dead so that by receiving Him as Savior and Lord, man is redeemed by His blood; that Jesus Christ in person will return to Earth in power and glory; that the Holy Spirit indwells those who have received Christ, for the purpose of enabling them to live righteous and godly lives; and that the Church is the Body of Christ and is comprised of all those who, through belief in Christ, have been spiritually regenerated by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The twin mission of the Church is worldwide evangelization, and nurture and discipline of Christians.
Manna and Joy! 102.5 WOLC P. O. Box 130, Princess Anne, MD 21853 Voice: 410-543-9652 Fax: 410-651-9652 Manna e-mail: info@readthemanna.org Joy! 102.5 e-mail: wolc@wolc.org ©2013 Maranatha, Inc. May not be reproduced without written consent of Maranatha, Inc. Photos: iStockphoto and Thinkstock
Maranatha Media | Home of Joy! 102.5 and the Manna
Signals Education Opening Lois LeBar’s Education that is Christian, one almost has to laugh—or cry. The introduction begins “Christian educators need a renewed sense of hope.” It goes on to say, “In today’s confusing world, parents need encouragement to bring up children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” and describes how educators simply long for the class be over. More importantly, it suggests that Christian education is neither—neither Christian nor education; Sunday school may be the most wasted hour of the week and, though there have been advances in technology and programs, there has been “no breakthrough in producing spiritual maturation in grassroots Christian education in the family, church and school.” That was written in 1989. Post-disco. Long before Columbine. Or 9/11. A time when things were still okay. Since then, Christian schools have increasingly become the safe option, yet in that relative safety may have become even more vulnerable. Were we able to approach education, Christian or not, from a pure perspective, we would be foremost concerned with the development of young minds and character. The inclusion of a strong moral code would be the backbone, resulting in the growth of individuals that not only grasp but implement as a natural part of their being such concepts as critical thinking, the Golden Rule and stewardship. LeBar understood that the way we fill young minds (actually she said starve young minds) with Bible facts misses the point. She envisioned biblically based teaching that had transformational ability— a teaching process that produces leaders, Christian leaders, that could competently carry forth the business of the day with Christlike character. Randolph Crump Miller wrote, “The task of Christian education is not to teach
theology, but to use theology as a basic tool for bringing learners into the right relationship with God.” Miller understood that people follow their own interests,and that those interests and the pursuit thereof (lifestyle, career, etc.) are the result of the habit of each one’s belief system, a system so ingrained that is followed even when there is no conscious thought to adherence. In other words, the result of that process becomes first-nature. And, in the case of Christian education, leads to a moral perspective and application—a Christlikeness. Miller suggests that we can best understand this if we consider that a child’s behavior “does not evolve from his idea of his parents. It comes from his relationship with his parents. So also, his religious integration does not come primarily from his idea of God. It comes from his personal relationship with God.” Though this concept of a personal relationship with God wasn’t overtly focused upon in the public classroom of prior decades, there was focus on the Golden Rule and basic morality. Those days are gone. Impossible for some of us to consider, but true, nonetheless. The challenge then lies before the home schools, private schools and Christian schools to bring children into an awareness of the relationship they have with their Creator. Sunday school facts certainly help build skills like generalized knowledge and memorization, but the real test—and the renewal of our hope—is our ability to share in such a way that a young mind grasps more than the basics and gets to that point where the relationship is known. Never questioned. Sure. The basis for how—and for Whom—they live their lives. Debbie Byrd is General Manager of Maranatha, Inc., a ministry that includes Joy! 102.5 and the Manna.
wolc.org | readthemanna.org | March 2013
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JOIN US OCTOBER 5, 2013 NASSAWADOX,VA 8:30 a.m. Registration / 10 a.m. Walk Senior Perspectives Office Riverside Shore Memorial Campus Register now at alz.org/walk or call 800.272.3900. For more information about the Alzheimer’s Association Southeastern Virginia Chapter visit alz.org/seva or call 800.272.3900. ©2013 Alzheimer’s Association. All Rights Reserved.
Now Enrolling For the 2013 - 2014 School Year! Before and After School Child Care Program School Days Off Child Care Program Snow Days Off Child Care Program Camp Crown Summer Day Camp *Homework help *Afternoon snack *Sports activities, games, dramatic play centers, arts & crafts *Birthday and holiday celebrations *FREE ARCADE FRIDAYS!
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On the Air Impact Christian Radio impacts listeners’ lives! We are always grateful for the emails, letters, and phone calls we get from listeners who share with us how a particular program or song has impacted them. Those types of comments encourage us as we attempt to provide our listeners with songs and programs that are first and foremost— Christ-honoring. Here are just a few of the encouraging words we’ve received... Brenda writes: “I’ve been listening to WOLC since 2009, which is also the year I gave my life to Christ. I am one of the fortunate people who get to listen to your station every day. You wake me up first thing in the morning every single week. Then, I get to listen to you on the way to work, at my desk, and on my way home. It is so wonderful to hear the inspirational music play when you first open your eyes. I just love to listen to your daily programs, too. There is always something that you can listen to that will inspire you, especially when you are down. God knows just what you need.” Kathy called to say: “I’m so thankful for your radio station. Every time the song ‘God’s Not Dead’ from
the Newsboys comes on, my children and I start dancing around and praising God in the house or car. It’s an awesome and fun worship experience, and if it weren’t for Joy! 102.5, we would not be able to have these spontaneous moments! I am so very grateful for your station and the music you all play. Nellie from Pennsylvania emailed to say: “I love the Internet! I have been so blessed during my work day by this station – by the music and the teaching! Praise God for WOLC. I listen each day at wolc. org.” These comments remind us that the Lord uses Joy! 102.5 and the Manna as a source of hope and encouragement. And we thank each of you who pray for us and support us financially. Your prayer support and financial support help make a sincere difference in the lives of people daily. We’d love to hear about your favorite song or program. Take some time to email or write to us and tell us about it— rbaylous@wolc.org. Rodney Baylous is Program Director of Joy! 102.5. Visit www.wolc.org.
Listen Now! Check out our Program Guide at wolc.org wolc.org | readthemanna.org | March 2013
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Go Out
It’s A Big World
Moab Skinny Tire Festival 3/9 - 3/12 | Moab, Utah www.skinnytireevents.com Four days of spectacular road cycling to Dead Horse Point State Park, Arches National Park, and along the Colorado River Corridor.
Boston Flower Show 3/13 - 3/17 | Boston, Massachusetts www.bostonflowershow.com The Boston Flower & Garden Show returns to the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston. It will showcase how the region’s best green thumbs are fearlessly embracing new plants, methods and materials.
Louisiana Swamp Stomp Festival 3/22 - 3/24 | Thibodaux, Louisiana www.nicholls.edu/swamp-stomp The festival spotlights local and regional bands features a variety of south Louisiana foods offers several presentations on the history, culture, and economic development of the region.
Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival 3/23 - 3/24 | Conyers, Georgia www.conyerscherryblossomfest.com The Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival is Pinktastic! Enjoy two days packed with fun, arts and crafts.
Maryland Day Celebration 2013 3/22 - 3/24 | Annapolis, Maryland http://fourriversheritage.org Maryland Day commemorates the formal founding of the colony of Maryland. Mark your calendars and bring the whole family to Annapolis!
23rd Annual Rehoboth Beach Chocolate Festival 3/2 | Rehoboth Beach, Delaware www.downtownrehoboth.com/downtownhappenings/rehoboth-beach-chocolatefestival.htm A day of fun for the whole family! Tastings start at 11:30 am and last until the chocolate runs out or 3:30 pm. wolc.org | readthemanna.org | March 2013
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must admit I have a trivia problem. Whether it involves playing Trivial Pursuit or watching an episode of Jeopardy!, I love to test my capacity for regurgitating obscure, useless facts. My love of trivia serves me well for a couples’ game night, but the practical application ends there. The book of Proverbs offers a much more worthy approach to learning than cramming our heads with facts. In a sentence, Proverbs is the instruction of one generation to the next in how to live wisely. The Lord is less interested in how much we know as He is in how readily we apply what we know to honoring Him. If we are to live wisely, we must take the instruction we receive and apply it to the pursuit of “righteousness, justice, and equity” (Proverbs 1:3). As a parent in this age of “each to his own,” it is increasingly difficult to trust that my children will rely on common sense as they grow and mature. Perhaps this is my idealism on display, but it seems that many virtues that were at one time commonly valued in society are no longer of any importance. And let me be the first to say that I have contributed my fair share of sinful behavior to the world. Still, there are too many examples of thoughtless, wicked
behavior in Scripture for me to think that contemporary society has a monopoly on foolishness. Original sin is the plague that has spread throughout all human history. Even so, the task at hand is clear. I must teach my children to live wisely, both in word and example, so that they might be spared from the snare of folly. Of primary importance in the instruction of our children is a clear presentation of the Gospel. Not just a one-time Bible lesson, but over and over again, as young children arguably learn best through repetition. And the words themselves will do no good if our children cannot see the fruit of Jesus’ death and resurrection in our own lives. Living wisely begins with living righteously. But living righteously only begins when we are declared righteous through faith in Christ (Romans 4:3, 24). The preeminent display of wisdom in anyone’s life is to believe in God’s Son, who is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). To the world this is pure foolishness (1 Cor 1:18).
Just The Facts By Phil Bohaker
So, we must be even more diligent to teach our children the truth about God’s definition of wisdom. Chances are, they won’t hear it anywhere else. Our state governments devise educational regulations and standardized testing to measure the quality of education in our school systems. They tell us what facts children should know. There are many things our children could learn about math, science, literature, history, economics, or any other academic or professional endeavor. But if we fail to teach them how to live, we will have served them no better than to teach them to rattle off facts in a game of trivia. Neither the government nor the schools can accomplish what God has ordained for parents. God has assigned the responsibility of teaching children how to live primarily to parents. Others are certainly involved – teachers, coaches, pastors, and any other mentors in a child’s life. But nothing can replace the love of a
parent who tells her child, “You have to make a choice between life and death. This is what leads to death. And this is what leads to life. Now, go and live.” It is a daunting, but worthwhile task. Our children must know that wisdom is not merely an attractive quality in a person. It involves life and death choices. Perhaps you are thinking, “I feel like a hypocrite for trying to teach my child how to make all the right choices when I did so many foolish things when I was younger.” The good news is that God delights in second chances. God wrote the script to His story, and it is a story of redemption. In fact, all of creation “waits with eager longing” for the ultimate redemption that God has promised (Romans 8:19-23). So, when we teach our children about wisdom, we can be encouraged to know that wisdom involves learning from our mistakes. No one has ever lived a perfect life; we all need another chance. King Solomon tells his son that his words of wisdom are “life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh” (Proverbs 4:22). The wound of foolishness is in all of us. Our job is to point the next generation to the One with the balm.
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ack in grade school, I was always relieved when the teacher would give us clues as to what questions would appear on an upcoming test. We may have covered five large chapters from the textbook, but I knew that all I needed to study were just a few topics among many. I could simply memorize the bare minimum of information in order to squeak by. This same attitude is often applied to salvation. How much do I really need to know to be saved? Just tell me what I have to do to “get in.” Depending on who you ask, the answers could be quite varied. In general, however, they will all likely boil down to two things: We’re either saved by what we do or what we know. Author and professor Dr. Michael Horton explains why it isn’t about us: “According to Scripture, the object of our faith is neither our actions or our knowledge, but the person of Jesus Christ. Of course, trusting a person involves
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knowledge and assent, but we’re saved by Christ, not by doctrines. The purpose of the doctrine is to direct us to the right person and to keep us looking to him until that day when faith yields to sight.” He continues, “Faith is not mere assent to truths, much less blind submission. It’s trust in Christ. To trust in someone, you have to know something about them and have some confidence that they can do what they promise. However, faith is not saving as a virtue in itself, but because it embraces Christ who is our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. A weak faith clings to a strong Savior.” And yet, we’re not to get comfortable in our “baby” Christian state and remain content with spiritual milk. Though secure in our salvation, we need to continue growing as we learn the Word of God. Horton says, “There are too many exhortations in Scripture to go on to
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How To Be Saved 101 By Karen Tull
maturity, to grow up into Christ through the knowledge of his transforming word, and so forth. Discipleship is first and foremost a humble eagerness to hear every word that comes from the mouth of our Lord. However untaught and even confused we have been, we are called to grow up by instruction and participation in God’s means of grace. How much do we need to know? Everything.” But while our knowledge may advance and maturity deepen, not one of us can claim to correctly know everything in the Bible. Many truths within are mysterious and beyond the human capacity to understand. So, then, how do we come to salvation? Peter explains in Scripture, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). By the enabling of the Spirit, we must realize that we are sinful creatures under the
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curse of death and on our way to punishment and eternal separation from God. We have to realize our need for a rescuer—Jesus Christ—and turn from our unrighteousness to follow Him. It’s that basic and profound all at once. The Heidelberg Catechism (Question 2) asks this: “How many things are necessary for you to know, that in this comfort you may live and die happily?” Answer: “Three things: First, the greatness of my sin and misery. Second, how I am redeemed from all my sins and misery. Third, how I am to be thankful to God for such redemption.” As Horton puts it, “Each of these is simple enough to know in order to cling to Christ and yet deep enough to swim in throughout one’s life without touching bottom.”
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We exist to educate, equip and empower students and develop individuals of faith, excellence and influence! Eagle’s Nest Christian Academy is a private interdenominational Christian school offering classes for students Pre-K through eighth grade.
Providing individualized education in an unashamedly Christian environment where students leave prepared academically, emotionally, and spiritually, for whatever step is next in their lives. 26633 Zion Church Road, Milton, DE
302-684-4983 | eaglesnestacademy.org
Excellence in Everything, Everything Through Him Partnering with parents in equipping students academically, spiritually and
physically to fulfill God’s purpose for their lives while reflecting the character of Christ in all we do.
14511 Sycamore Rd. Laurel, Delaware (302) 875-4488 www.epworthchristianschool.org
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Milford Christian School A Ministry of First Baptist Church of Milford 6062 Old Shawnee Road Milford, Delaware 1/2 Mile from Rt. 113
Educating For Eternity
Founded – 1975
• Preschool – 12th • Traditional Curriculum • Accelerated Academic Program • Strong Christian Emphasis • Sports Program (Grades 7 – 12) • Before & After School Care • All Ethnic Backgrounds Welcome
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The King’s Christian Academy Pre-K to 12th Grade College Preparatory School
Excellence in Education. STEM Christ-like in Character. Robotics
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Athletics Music Scholarships Safe Campus Before/After Care
Now enrolling for 2013-2014
OPEN HOUSE March 5 & May 7 4 - 6
301-994-3080 www.KingsChristianAcademy.org 20738 Point Lookout Road Callaway, MD 20620
Now Enrolling For the 2013 2012 – 2014 2013 School Year For More Information Visit SeasideChristianAcademy.com or call 410-213-7595
Featured Schools Alzheimer’s Association® Southeastern Virginia Chapter The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. As the largest, private non-profit funder of Alzheimer’s research, the Association is committed to accelerating progress of new treatments, preventions and ultimately, a cure. Through our partnerships and funded projects, we have been part of every major research advancement over the past 30 years. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s disease. Locally, the Southeastern Virginia Chapter serves the community with a main chapter office in Norfolk and three branch offices (including one in Exmore) across a 7,400-square-mile service area. We offer educational classes, monthly orientations, advocacy opportunities, support groups, and fundraising activities. Our largest fundraising activity is Walk to End Alzheimer’s®. It is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for our mission-related initiatives of care, support, and research. Walks are held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide. The Virginia Eastern Shore Walk to End Alzheimer’s will take place on Saturday, October 5 in Nassawadox. You can register now at alz.org/walk. To find out more about what we offer, visit www.alz. org/seva or call our 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.
Crown Care Crown Care is located in Fruitland, Maryland, inside the Crown Sports Center. We are committed to offering a safe, healthy, and fun environment for our before- and after-school child care program. In addition to our regular program, Crown Care also offers “School and Snow Days Off” child care. Crown Care is a fully-licensed child care center and will be starting our fourth year in the fall of 2013. Our facility is managed by a certified teacher and staff of trained professionals who undergo a rigorous background check. Transportation is available to and from certain schools. Children are provided with an afternoon snack, homework help, and opportunities for growth and social interaction. Crown Care puts the fun into child care by offering a large variety of exciting activities. Children participate in birthday and holiday celebrations, arts and crafts, dramatic play centers, board games, Wii games, and are guaranteed to stay active playing on our five acres of indoor sports
fields. Your child will love Free Arcade Fridays, where children receive tokens and play arcade games for prizes at Crown’s Family Entertainment Center. Stop in and check out our newly-expanded facility. For more information on openings, please call 410-742-6000 or send an email requesting information to childcare@ crownsportscenter.com. You might also like to browse our website, www.crownsportscenter.com.
Delmarva Christian High School Delmarva Christian High School is a school that is moving forward and mission-driven. The school is strongly committed to partnering with parents and endeavoring to mature young people to be biblically-minded, well-educated critical thinkers as they seek to discover God’s will for their lives. By speaking biblical truth in all areas of study, students learn to think with Christian discernment, forming their own Christ-centered beliefs and convictions. Entering its tenth year, DCHS presents data that imparts excellence in academic standards with exceptional academic scores and high college acceptance rates. Individualized learning—including online courses and 1:1 iPad technologies—enhances student learning along with outreach ministry, athletics, and performing arts programs. Moreover, DCHS students develop the tools for lifelong learning and the spiritual disciplines that will prepare them to excel beyond high school. Focusing on the motto, A Higher Standard, DCHS continues to challenge the staff and students to put forth their best efforts toward each other and, more importantly, “unto the Lord.” Accountability and positive student/teacher relationships are contributing factors to student success at DCHS. It is understood that the sacrifices made for Christian education demand everyone to strive for excellence spiritually, academically, and physically.
Eagles Nest Christian Academy Eagles Nest Christian Academy was established as a Christian School for Christian Families and is a ministry of Eagles Nest Fellowship Church in Milton, Delaware. ENCA exists to Educate, Equip, and Empower students to develop into individuals of faith, excellence, and influence. We are committed to partnering with parents to establish an academic, spiritual, and social foundation for our students. We value every student and strive to maintain a school that is God-centered and secure physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We seek to provide an educawolc.org | readthemanna.org | March 2013
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1511 Townfield Drive | Cape Charles, Virginia (757) 331-3063 | www.cherrystoneva.com
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Featured Schools tion that is excellent in every respect so that our students will be able to compete and excel wherever they go, while achieving God’s promise for their lives. ENCA consists of an early learning center, pre-school, and K-8 elementary school. Our student body is made up of children from nearly 40 area churches and we are proud that we can be an education resource for our local church community. Our challenging curriculum is based on textbooks from BJU Press and Positive Action. For more information, you can contact the school at 302-684-4983 or visit our website at www.eaglesnestacademy.org.
Epworth Christian School Epworth Christian School offers academically- and spiritually-enriching programs for students in PreK-8. Our instruction is Christ-centered, standards-based, and student-focused. ECS also offers technology instruction, art, music, physical education, and more. The mission of Epworth Christian School is to partner with parents in equipping children academically and spiritually, to fulfill God’s purpose for their lives, while reflecting the character of Christ in all we do. Our vision is that a strong faith in God will be foundational within each child and will anchor and navigate them through each stage of their development here at ECS and through all of life. The curriculum used at ECS is biblically-integrated and academically-aggressive, preparing students to transition into high school after completion of 8th grade. All curricula utilizes teaching strategies and techniques that differentiate instruction for the student. The use of technology is also integrated into content areas through the use of interactive SMART boards, laptops, and projectors. Epworth Christian School is also proud to be the home of “Little Paws Daycare.” Little Paws is a year-round daycare that accepts children 6 weeks to four years of age. Please visit our website at epworthchristianschool.org or call us at 302-875-4488 for more details.
Holly Grove Christian School Holly Grove Christian School (HGCS), located in Somerset County, Maryland, was established in 1976 and occupies over 50,000 square feet of classroom and eight acres of athletic fields. Holly Grove is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and the Association of Christian Schools International. We serve families and students in grades Pre-K through 12th grade. Bus service is available from Princess Anne, Crisfield, and Fruitland in Maryland, as well as Parksley and Chincoteague in Virginia. The Lord has richly blessed HGCS with a staff of over 50 dedicated teachers and professionals who inspire and encourage. Offering a college preparatory curriculum,
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graduates have been accepted at the Naval Academy, Liberty University, Messiah College, Virginia Tech, New York University, Georgetown University, University of Maryland College Park, Clearwater Christian College, Salisbury University, and Washington College. JV and varsity teams compete in field hockey, soccer, volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball, and track. Our award-winning Honors Choir and Children’s Choir have presented the Gospel in song throughout the region. Each spring, the Honors Choir travels as a ministry team on their Spring Tour. “Excellence in Christ-Centered Academics” - that’s HGCS. Applications are accepted year-round; call Robin today at 410-957-0222 or visit our website www.hgcsweb. com.
The King’s Christian Academy Excellence in Education, Christ-like in Character The King’s Christian Academy exists to help parents and churches educate their children in truth and righteousness with academic excellence based on biblical worldview for Christian character development. Located in Callaway, Maryland, The King’s Christian Academy offers classes for Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grades. KCA’s high school curriculum is college preparatory. Both Honors and AP courses are offered, and students have the opportunity to participate in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), a challenging academic enrichment program. KCA also offers a homeschool partnership program. KCA is fully-accredited by The Association of Christian Schools International and The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Students at KCA have opportunities to participate in athletic and fine arts programs. The athletic program includes basketball, soccer, track, volleyball, and cheerleading. The music program offers a praise team, high school choral ensemble, and junior symphonic band. Other highlights include field trips, high school retreats, drama and musical productions, robotics, and community service opportunities. KCA offers bus transportation from both St. Mary’s and Calvert Counties, and before- and after-school care. For further information, please call 301-994-3080 or view KCA online at www.kingschristianacademy.org.
Milford Christian School Milford Christian School (MCS) was established as a ministry of the First Baptist Church of Milford in 1973 to serve as an educational outreach to Christian families in the Milford area. Many families want to reinforce their Christian values in an educational setting. The school’s mission statement is “Educating for Eternity.” All students (and their parents) are carefully screened through an interwolc.org | readthemanna.org | March 2013
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Featured Schools view process prior to acceptance into the school. Included in MCS are pre-school students, beginning at three-years-old, through 12th grade. The A-Beka curriculum is used throughout the school and supplemented in some areas with individualized studies. The Bible is taught at every level, and students beginning in the first grade attend chapel at least once a week. As a member of the Delaware Association of Christian Schools, MCS participates in fine arts, Bible, academic, and sports competition with other schools. This challenges and encourages students to excel in these areas. High school students can earn the privilege of representing Delaware in the national competition of the American Association of Christian Schools. National Achievement testing is done every year, beginning in Kindergarten. Other programs include a computer lab, art, and music (for elementary and secondary students) and sports (beginning for students in the sixth grade). The campus includes a gym and athletic field. MCS is located just one half-mile from Route 113 at 6062 Old Shawnee Road in Milford, making it convenient for working parents. Before- and after-school care is also available. For information, please call 302-422-4263 or send an email requesting information to milfordchristian@ verizon.net. An information packet needs to be reviewed prior to scheduling an interview appointment.
Salisbury Christian School Dually accredited, Salisbury Christian School (SCS) offers a comprehensive education program founded upon biblical truth and academic excellence. Since its establishment in 1966, SCS has brought this mission to life in the lives of students on Delmarva! The 20-acre campus houses Founders Hall, Auld Annex, and the 60,000 square-foot Nehemiah Center. The Nehemiah Center features a beautiful hardwood floor (full-size) gymnasium with a stage suitable for concerts and drama presentations. It has state-of-the-art computer and science labs and spacious classrooms and administrative offices. SCS offers accelerated academic programs, dualenrollment courses with Wor-Wic, and many advanced placement courses for college credit. Graduates have been accepted by nationally-recognized colleges and universities. The athletic choices at SCS abound, including soccer, volleyball, cross-country, basketball, baseball, and softball. Other enrichment activities offered to SCS students include band, chorus, art, drama, student government, and a host of clubs. Come and experience the difference! Apply now for the 2013-2014 school year. Call registrar, Mrs. Daryl Ann Hudson, at 410-546-0661 for more information or to schedule a tour or a “shadow day” for your student.
continued
Connect with SCS online at www.salisburychristian.org, http://facebook.com/SalisburyChristian, and http://twitter. com/sbychristiansch. Salisbury Christian School: Education Delmarva’s Children for Eternity!
Seaside Christian Academy A teenager with a worldview that is distinctively Christian is more likely to obey parents, receive instruction and discipline, do what is right when parents are not present, and accept God’s salvation at an earlier age. What a great advantage to have a child with a biblical worldview. At Seaside Christian Academy, we teach with the conviction that God and the Founding Fathers knew what they were doing and the type of educational system needed to raise up and maintain a Christian nation. We are committed to honoring God’s spirit and the spirit of the Founding Fathers by providing an excellent academic education based upon the scriptures and knowing Jesus Christ. We do not hold claim to the latest educational fads, theories, and classroom instruction techniques at SCA. Instead, we hold to and apply the proven classroom practices that once placed American education atop the academic world: accountability, discipline, parental involvement, and qualified teachers giving instruction and pouring themselves into each student who enrolls at SCA. We encourage families to simply come and visit us. Experience first-hand the atmosphere of love and excellence that permeates our facilities.nt.
Shore Christian Academy Shore Christian Academy (SCA) was established in 2004 as a ministry of Exmore Baptist Church. Now a separate entity, the school continues to rely on the support of Exmore Baptist as well as other churches in the community. SCA is purposed to make available quality Christian education in a Christ-centered environment that promotes biblical skills needed to live the Christian way of life by teaching the mind and reaching the heart of each student for Jesus Christ. SCA strives to provide an atmosphere of love and discipline in which children are taught the Truth and encouraged to apply the Truth wisely as they make their own decisions and accept responsibility for their actions. SCA is also purposed to function as a missionary outreach to the home of the unsaved students and parents in order to bring them to a saving knowledge of Christ. SCA serves grades Pre-K through 9th grade, with plans to continue adding a grade each year. The solid academic teaching and spiritual training offered is founded on a biblical philosophy of life based on the inspired Word of God. SCA is recognized as a STAR school by the association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).
wolc.org | readthemanna.org | March 2013
23
A Guide to Education
2013
School Name
Enroll.
Class Size
Grades
Principal
Church Affiliation
Central Baptist Academy
30
Varies
K( 5) - 12th
Starr Krumm
Baptist
70
10-15
Pre-K (3) - 8th
Robert Draper
Non-Denominational
180
15
K (4) - 12th
Deborah L. Whitter
Easton Church of God
90
Varies
K (4) - 12th
John McArthur
Countryside Christian Church
N/A
15
4 - 12 yrs.
Chelsea Mason
N/A
Delmarva Christian High School 185
12
9th - 12th
Mike Vonhoff
Nondenominational
368
12-20
6 mos. - 8th
Ron Phillips
Eagle’s Nest Fellowship Church
150
15
Pre-K (3) - 8th
Jim Berger
Non-Denominational
85
10-15
Pre-K (3) - 12th
Ron A. Rice
Faith Baptist Church
198
12
Pre-K (4) - 12th
Duane Miller
Mennonite
463
15-22
Pre-K (4) - 12th
Mike Rohrer
Non-Denominational
40
Varies by age
8 wks. - 6 yrs.
Wesleyan
322
15-20
Pre-K (3) - 12th
Mary Ellen Briggs (Director) Kevin Fry
150
15-18
Pre-K (3) - 8th
Terri Menoche
Dagsboro Church of God
143
10-15
Pre-K (3) - 12th
Joan Johnson
First Baptist of Milford
42
15 or less
K - 12th
Pastor Carlo Leto
Baptist
582
8-24
Pre-K (3) - 12th
James T. Fox Jr.
Non-Denominational
40
6-12
Pre-K (3) - 8th
School Board
Non-Denominational
70
8-10
Pre-K - 9th
Candy Farlow
Exmore Baptist Church
6
Varies
K - 12th
James A. Kurtz
Mennonite
35
12
Ages 2 - 4
Leslie Steen
St. Luke’s United Methodist
Gary Cox
Walkersville Christian Fellowsh
Onley, Virginia
Central Delaware Christian Academy Dover, Delaware
Chesapeake Christian School Easton, Maryland
Countryside Christian School Cambridge, Maryland
Crown Care Eden, Maryland Georgetown, Delaware
Eagle’s Nest Christian Academy Milton, Delaware
Epworth Christian School Laurel, Delaware
Faith Baptist School Salisbury, Maryland
Greenwood Mennonite School Greenwood, Delaware
Holly Grove Christian School Westover, Maryland
Impact Child Development Ctr. Fruitland, Maryland
King’s Christian Academy
Inter-Denominational
Callaway, Maryland
Lighthouse Christian School Dagsboro, Delaware
Milford Christian School Milford, Delaware
Salisbury Baptist Academy Salisbury, Maryland
Salisbury Christian School Salisbury, Maryland
Seaside Christian Academy Ocean City, Maryland
Shore Christian Academy Exmore, Virginia
Snow Hill Mennonite Snow Hill, Maryland
St. Luke’s School St. Michaels, Maryland
Walkersville Christian Family Schools Open Sabillasville, Maryland
Maranatha Media | Home of Joy! 102.5 and the Manna
Homeschool K - 12th Oversight Program
h
hip
Annual Tuition
Curriculum
Phone Number
$2,600
Financial Aid Afterschool Care No No
A-Beka
757-787-7148
$2,190- 3,190
Yes
Yes
A-Beka
302-697-8407
$4,200
No
Yes
A-Beka
410-822-7600
N/A
No
Yes
A-Beka
410-228-0574
$50 - 85
Yes
Yes
N/A
$6,500
Yes
No
College Preparatory, Christ-centered, Dual Enrollment, Learning Support
410-742-6000 x106 302-856-4040
$4,320
Yes
Yes
Bob Jones
302-684-4983
$5,299
Yes
Yes
N/A
302-875-4488
$3,839
No
Yes
410-742-9516
$4,950
Yes
Yes
Saxon Math, BJU Press, A-Beka, Positive Action for Christ Mixed: ACSI, A-Beka
$2,970 Pre-K/K & Part Time $4,257 (discount for additonal students) $185/wk. (2-Year olds); $120/wk. (2-year olds); $120/wk. (3 & older) $7,132 Pre-K; $7,561 K-5; $8,340 6-8; $8,783 9-12 $3,600
Yes
No
Various
410-957-0222
Accepts POC
Yes
Kindergarten Readiness
410-543-1129
No
Yes
Various
301-994-3080
Yes
Yes
A-Beka, Bob Jones, Foss
302-732-3309
$2,150 - 3,150
Yes
Yes
A-Beka, Bob Jones, some individualized
302-422-4263
$2,460
No
Yes
A-Beka, Bob Jones, Saxon Math
410-546-4455
$2,811 - 5,413 (Pre K) $5,794 - 6,144 (Elem. - H.S.) $3,100 - 4, 500
Yes
Yes
410-546-0661
Yes
No
Variety of Publishers with Emphasis on Biblical Integration A-Beka, Bob Jones
$3, 400 - 4, 500
Yes
Yes
757-442-9791
$2,500
No
No
A-Beka, and other publishers with an emphasis on Biblical truths Accelerated Christian Education
$1,225 - 1,875
Yes
No
N/A
410-745-2534
N/A
Yes
No
Individualized
301-241-2072
302-349-4131
410-213-7595
410-745-2534
wolc.org | readthemanna.org | March 2013
25
“I don’t want don’t want toto make thewant wrong “I don’t to ake decision the wrong the make thefor wrong one person decision forwho the cision for the one person who always made e person who thealways right made ones.” lwaysthemade right ones.” e right ones.” Now is the time
toNow makeis the the time right to make the right decisions for you decisions for you your family. ow isand the time and your family. As preplanning As preplanning make the rightcan specialists, specialists,we we can cisions for you make certain all make certain that all ofofyour wishes your wishes are nd your family. carriedout outand and that that carried s preplanning youspend spend only only you whatwe needed. ecialists, can what isisneeded.
We’dlike likethat to answer answer e certain all We’d to any questions you questions you yourany wishes might have. are Call us might have. Call todayand to find outus ied today out that to find outto what you can do ou what spend youonly do to make allcan of the all of the right decisions. hat ismake needed.
right decisions.
’d like to answer y questions you ght have. Call us Salisbury day to find out (410) 742-5141 at you Salisbury can do to Pocomoke (410) make(410) all of742-5141 the 957-0224 Pocomoke ghtwww.hollowayfh.com decisions. (410) 957-0224
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You Can’t Go Back By Josh Millwood
M
y daughter was so excited for her third birthday. “I’m going to be three!” she’d proudly proclaim to anybody who would listen. And especially if you were not listening. She’d say it over and over and over again until you finally acknowledged her upcoming birthday. “We’re going to have cake and Daddy will get me flowers and Pop and Delly (her grandparents) and our friends from church will come over!” That’s all she wanted. She didn’t care about a big theme. She didn’t need a bounce house or special decorations.Cake, flowers, friends, and family. The simplicity of her heart’s desires makes me love her all the more. Then came the day after her birthday. “Is it still my birthday?” she asked at breakfast. We told her she needed to wait a whole year for her next birthday. After a moment of contemplation, “And then I’ll be two again?” “No sweetheart. You’ll be four. You don’t get to be two again.” And that made her sad. As with any three-year-old, however, that sadness didn’t last long. Soon she was
back to singing the theme song from Wonder Pets and playing with her new toys. But it left me sad. Suddenly it hit my heart that my little girl would never be two again. I’d already experienced the awe of holding her as a newborn. I’d watched her learn to communicate, to crawl, to stumble, and then run. Her personality unfolded and her character began to grow. She learned how to feed herself, how to imagine, and how to disobey. She learned how to make me laugh and set her mother on edge. And she’ll go on learning new things. How to spell, how to add and subtract, how to play team sports, how to drive, and how to take responsibility for herself. Those things are still to come and I look forward to them. But my little two-year-old girl is gone. She cannot unlearn who she is. She can only continue on. Growing. Changing. The Psalmist describes life: “..like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind blows, and we are gone - as though we had never been here” (Psalm 103: 15 b-16 NLT). Never before has that seemed so potent in my life. A wonderful season has come and gone in my daughter’s life and I
find myself feeling guilty for not squeezing more out of it while I had the chance. Nothing has shaped my understanding of the Heavenly Father like becoming a father myself. It is more than a rite of passage—it’s a window into the Creator’s heart. When God created Adam and Eve, He was so pleased. He was proud and in love with His children. He watched them appreciate His creation and live in perfect harmony. He saw them love one another. He listened to them and experienced wonder through their eyes. And then God the Father saw His children disobey. He saw them learn the difference between right and wrong and suffer the consequences of their new understanding. To be a parent is to echo God’s experience during Creation. Psalm 103 talks about God the Father as being patient and understanding. He understands our limitations, our ADD, and our foolishness. His mercy delays judgement. His love erases our sins. Now that my daughter is three, obedience has become a more prevalent issue in our household. She is constantly testing us, weighing the consequences of her actions
and learning (often the hard way) what she’s willing to sacrifice in order to defy her parents. God lived through this with Adam and Eve and ever since with His ever-growing family. The consequences of Adam and Eve’s disobedience was death. Plus clothing, farming problems, and childbirth issues. But just like parents today, God doesn’t want to punish. In fact, the Bible is filled with second chances. God has gone to great lengths to avoid having to punish his children. Ultimately, our salvation in Christ was God circumventing having to punish us. Instead of the death we deserve, we can be restored to a loving, right relationship with our Father. God, as the perfect Dad, created a way; He gave us just one, single way to restore innocence through the payment of our sindebt. Though my daughter cannot ever be two again, she and all of us along with her, can be restored to that perfect Father/child relationship. Our Heavenly Father so loved the world, that through His one and only Son, He made a way for us to go back.
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Reaching Milestones
O
n any given day in the United States, approximately 11,000 babies are born. And for the next several years, the parents of these infants will be immensely attentive and concerned with the growth and development of their child. From size and health to cognitive and physical skills, every waking moment is spent examining the child’s progress and making sure their growth and development is appropriate for their age. At specific ages, the child is expected to have certain physical and mental skills. These are called milestones. By nine months, a baby should be crawling. By 12 months, walking. At age two, a toddler is expected to be able to communicate his needs. And by age five, he should have increased coordination, behave more responsibly, and have outgrown early childhood fears. The older the child gets, the more advanced and skilled the child becomes in their behavior, communication, and intellect. You don’t have to be a parent or a doctor to realize how crucial it is for a child to grow and develop according to schedule. Any delay in development not only hinders the child from interacting and functioning properly, but prevents them from moving to the next stage in life. As a child, I was extremely late in my communication skills. I didn’t talk until age three. Once I finally began to formulate phrases, my enunciation was so poor that I had to take speech classes for several years just to get my language up to par for my age. (Ironically enough, I now have a BA in Communications.) Some developmental skills may be harder for some than others. However, with each accomplished milestone, the once-dependent child eventually grows and develops into a mature adult—able to function efficiently and effectively on his own. The growth and development that we experience from infancy to adulthood is similar to the spiritual growth and development we experience as Christians. As we grow in Christ, we are expected to reach certain milestones. And just like a parent wants their child to grow into a mature adult, God desires His children to become spiritually
By Keyanna Butts
mature. “You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again in the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong” (Hebrews 5:12-14). Whether it’s our behavior, the way we think, the things we say, or how we interact with others, there should be measurable improvement in certain areas of our life from when we first started our walk with Christ. “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things” (1 Corinthians 13:11). Of course, just like our natural development can be delayed, our spiritual growth can also be stunted. And indeed, not reaching one of these milestones can prevent us from moving forward in our spiritual walk. The question is, what do you do when you see that your spiritual growth has become stagnant? When a child is struggling developmentally, one of the first things the doctor inquires about is his or her nutrition. In fact, a child’s diet has been deemed so critical to healthy development that the U.S. government put school programs in place to make sure each child has at least one healthy, balanced meal a day because the relationship between nutrients and improved learning has been clearly shown. Spiritually speaking, the Bible provides our nutrients. Indulging in God’s Word gives us the balanced diet we need to develop into healthy and mature Christians. Through His Word, we can attain knowledge, understanding, and training, on the principles of God. This allows us to develop a deeper relationship with Him. From there, God equips us with the skills needed to reach and achieve each and every spiritual milestone, in His timing.
wolc.org | readthemanna.org | March 2013
29
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Book Knowledge By Mary Tyler
A
t our radio station, we have a Bible trivia question contest giveaway two times per day called “Scriptural Pursuit.” The striking thing about the contest is that the only questions that seem to get correct answers are questions children learn in Sunday School. It makes one wonder if many Christians stop studying the Bible after Sunday School lets out. How do we get beyond our childlike knowledge of God’s Word? The Bible can certainly seem overwhelming. Where do you begin? Do you start from Genesis and try to read straight through? How can you get past the boredom of Numbers? How do you understand the poetry of the Song of Solomon? The key to Bible understanding is to understand what the Bible is and is not. It is not just a boring college textbook filled with history. Yes, there is history inside the covers, but there’s so much more. 2 Timothy 3: 16 – 17 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” The Bible is the living Word of God. As such, every time you read from its pages, you will get a different lesson. Many people say they’ve read a certain book of the Bible numerous times and that the Holy Spirit constantly revealed truths.
We understand the Bible when the Holy Spirit reveals its meaning to us. If you feel overwhelmed by studying the Bible, start by turning to the Lord in prayer. Ask for understanding, for growth and for the ability to apply those teaching to your life. Psalm 119: 11 says, “I have stored up Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” The Bible is not meant to prepare you for a trivia contest, although you can win fun prizes. Instead, the Bible was given to us from God to help us realize the full potential He wanted for our lives. Only with a robust Biblical education can we grow as Christians. If our knowledge of the Bible goes only as far as Sunday School lessons of Mary and Joseph, we will never understand the depth of sacrifice made by the Apostles to start the Church. We will never experience the wisdom found in Proverbs or the incredible prophecy spelled out by John in Revelation. We will also never be able to be as close as we could be to God without studying His Word. The Bible is our portal to a deeper relationship with our Savior. There is no right or wrong way to study the Bible except to simply open it every day and spend a little time with your best friend. Over the years, that daily consistency will add up to a life worthy of a heavenly prize.
Welcome to Shore Transit Going Places Together! The public community transportation system serving the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland. Shore Transit provides safe and affordable transportation for customers traveling for employment, education, medical appointments, and shopping.
For additional information, go to the new website www.shoretransit.org or call the Customer Service Center at 443-260-2300.
Educating EducatingDelmarva’s Delmarva’sChildren Childrenfor forEternity Eternity
facebook.com/SalisburyChristian facebook.com/SalisburyChristian twitter.com/SbyChristianSch twitter.com/SbyChristianSch
www.SalisburyChristian.org www.SalisburyChristian.org
Visit our blog keep to date with what’s going Visit our Visit blog ourand blog keep andand up keep to date up up towith date what’s with what’s going going on in our community. hermitage-hes.blogspot.com on in our on in community. our community. hermitage-hes.blogspot.com hermitage-hes.blogspot.com
Home Is Where The Start Is By Karen Tull
P
ublic school? Private school? Christian school? Home school? It’s a decision every parent will have to face. Ideally, all children would be able to receive sound, Christ-centered teaching throughout their education, regardless of whether they attend an outside institution or receive their lessons at home. But the reality is that many parents are financially unable to provide their children with a private, Christian education, or they find themselves living outside the proximity of a reputable Christian school. And, not all parents feel properly equipped to take on homeschooling responsibilities. As a result, public education becomes the lone option for nervous moms and dads. Regardless, there is much that parents can do to instill godly wisdom and values in their children to provide a firm foundation for them when they step foot into those hallways and classrooms. Perhaps the most crucial and influential Christian education is the one a child receives at home. From family Bible-reading and prayer to the careful monitoring of TV shows, music, video games, books and other forms of entertainment, parents can surround their children with all that is true and good and create a wholesome space for them to leave and return to every day. Plus, it is important for families to be actively involved in a local church, where children can receive additional Christian instruction and participate in youth groups with like-minded peers. With a solid Christian home and church life, faithful parents can feel more assured that their children will carry
their moral principles with them to public school, where they will likely be exposed to profanity, sexual talk, and situations involving substance abuse, cheating, skipping, and the like. (Of course, that’s not to insinuate that those things don’t happen at Christian schools.) When it’s time to make decisions as to what is wrong or right, they will have within their hearts and minds a set of Bible-based convictions to help guide them. And yet, there also exists the idea that sending a child to a Christian school with little to no reinforcement at home will be all that is needed to produce a committed Christian, but that is a misguided notion. A child may attend the finest Christian school to be found, but if he or she lives in a home where Christ is not head of the household and where there are few, if any, regulations on entertainment choices, any good that might be accomplished in that child while at school will be undermined. The Bible exhorts parents to continually teach the commands of God. Scripture says, “Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates” (Deuteronomy 6:7-9 NLT). While parents may not have control over what happens when their children head out the door each morning, they do have complete power at home—and that can make all the difference.
wolc.org | readthemanna.org | March 2013
33
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I
t’s 9:15 on Sunday morning and Mrs. Davidson is at the school. Her blonde hair is up in a ponytail. She swishes down the hall in yoga pants and a sweatshirt as she walks past a crowd of welcoming worshippers in Sunday attire. Our small community church meets at the elementary school, which makes it easy for Mrs. Davidson to put in extra hours planning her week and grading papers. One or two other teachers will make their way down the hall before the congregation’s final “amen.” I recently spent an afternoon with one of the school’s fourth grade teachers and a fellow parishioner. I had some time to kill prior to our small group Bible study. I had thought a girls’ afternoon run to Starbucks would be fun, but Jan’s schedule didn’t allow for that. I was warned Jan would be busy working on classroom plans so I brought along my laptop and some reading material to keep me occupied. Jan was working seven days-a-week and sometimes went into the school, like the others, on weekends prior to coming to our church service. What I learned during
our afternoon together was Jan’s time was not taken up with the traditional extras— lesson plans and grading papers. She was meticulously scheduling her subjects to coordinate with the pull-out programs of her Special Education students. She needed to ensure those students who had Special Education IEPs (Individualized Education Plans) would not miss out on classroom time they needed and each student would arrive on time at the right Special Education pull-out with the correct teachers. Working in the poorest elementary school in the county, Jan said she would have no difficulty getting all of her papers graded and lesson plans finished during the regular school day if she did not have IEP meetings and specialized plans of numerous students to coordinate. As the mother of a child who has been in Special Education, I had such profound respect and empathy for what Jan was trying to accomplish. I ached for Jan as she tried so hard to love and serve her children well. She even had one student who convinced her family Jan was out to get her, even though this student herself had been disciplined by the school
lesson into a joke. His volume and laughter kept the other children from focusing. We wanted to point people to Jesus, but Justin’s distractions felt like spiritual warfare. Such is the story of the walls inside a typical urban school. It is a place of hopes and dreams, brokenness and weariness, faith and frustration. Each day a clash occurs between overextended teachers and a vocal minority of students who are eager to ensure learning does not happen. It is a place of sacrifice for the sake of the next generation. In this midst of brokenness, God’s glory shines brightly. Our church hosted a school supply drive after learning that teachers buy the school supplies for their students out of their own pockets. The supplies were met with cheers and our pastor was allowed to pray for the group of eager teachers. In the midst of this brokenness the church is there, doing what it can. Faith has its place in the public school, and we are living with the somewhat uncomfortable tension.
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many times. We prayed together over this child’s desk, asking for God to soften this child’s heart and show Jan how to teach her best. Walking down the school hallways, there is the faint scent of fresh paint hanging in the air. Two churches worked together to freshen the place up with a bit of light blue paint and freshly planted flowers. Just around the corner from Jan’s classroom is the school cafeteria which is transformed each Sunday into a multi-age Sunday school room. Volunteers gather clay, sand, paper, and paint to make creative art projects. A video with fun worship music is designed to draw all into worship. The little ones jump and smile. Ten-year-old Justin recruited two younger boys to join him in making fun of the music. They were making up lyrics and giggling. Teaching Sunday school (along with my husband) to older elementary children has opened my eyes to what the teachers in these very halls must go through every day of the week. Several Sundays it became obvious the true leader of our class was Justin, whose sole goal was to make every song, craft, and
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The Song By B.A. Timmons
I
chatted with a friend after the Sunday morning service. We were discussing the worship portion. There are many different thoughts on what worship should look like. Some churches have a song leader, some have a praise team, and some like the congregation to lead out or at least request songs for worship. A suggestion was raised: Perhaps we should work with the people God brings us. If we have no one in attendance who is gifted in leading music, then we do without a leader. If we have a gifted individual who can lead, then we go with that. And if we have a whole group of gifted musicians with hearts for worship, then perhaps we worship with a praise team. There’s no rule we have to always do it the same way every week. We take who the Lord provides, allowing those He brings to use their gifts, while at the same time giving the whole group the opportunity to bring a song. The friend went on to say that the important thing is that we all sing the same song in unison. We all know what beautiful music sounds like. We may not appreciate every style, but we know when a group of people are singing well together. Now this is where it gets interesting. We aren’t just talking about singing songs in a church gathering here. We are talking about singing THE song. And what is that song? It is basically the heart of God. It is the song that emanates from His Being. It is His desire, His essence, His passion. That is the song we are to sing, and we are to sing it together. Certainly the Lord takes pleasure in worship during a gathering of believers, but what we do when we gather is also a picture of what believers are to be doing constantly.
We are to be singing His song all week long, not with our voices, but with our lives. If we declare that worship is all about one hour of singing on a Sunday morning, then we have missed the mark. Just as there are different voices and instruments, there are many different ways believers express His song. I may not express His song at all like another does. I may sound and look completely different. But as long as I have my eyes on the Conductor and I’m singing the same song as everyone else, then the music will be beautiful. I needn’t worry myself with trying to get others to sound like me, because they aren’t meant to. My wife and I have two daughters in the school band. We have been to many performances. I may not know much about being in a band, but one thing is obvious. The members watch the conductor. They do not look at each other and question what the other is doing. The clarinets do not look crosseyed at the saxophones because they make a different sound. One might say that God, in His great wisdom, invented music for a purpose. It is beautiful in itself and can be used to express our hearts toward the God we love. But perhaps it goes much deeper than this. Perhaps it is also a visible and audible picture of the Body of Christ—the living and breathing embodiment of the Spirit of God—singing His song. Everything the body does is a part of that song. It will be beautiful if the Church walks in the Spirit; but not so beautiful if the church walks in the flesh. That is the work of the Church, putting itself in the position of learning that song for the world to enjoy. wolc.org | readthemanna.org | March 2013
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