“Discipling students, in community, for mission.” At Seven Rivers Christian School, this has become the distilled version of our vision and mission statements and as such has pressed leadership to examine our efforts at impacting students’ hearts as well as their minds.
We believe that even if we did nothing overtly “spiritual” and focused only providing a traditionally based liberal arts education, we would still disciple students. In fact, that has been at the very core of leadership’s efforts in strengthening the program of SRCS. We have focused our resources toward curriculum development, teacher training, advancement in the arts, and improving athletics.
Our aim at students’ hearts, however, has been less thoughtful. We have used the traditional weekly chapel, added a junior/senior retreat, and a conference or a special event. Several teachers have found themselves mentoring students, albeit informally.
For a while, we have been wondering if we can do better.
It is true that teachers are the frontline of discipleship, and that is why we have invested heavily in professional development, particularly worldview training. But our theology and view of the kingdom began pressing in on the chapel model, as did our understanding of the priority of worship in a school, and the relationship with Seven Rivers Presbyterian Church.
After a season of discussion, our leadership team has settled on the following:
- The typical Christian school plans and executes worship poorly.
- Students need to be mentored in small groups by adults.
- Mandatory worship is not appropriate for all students as all aren’t believers.
- Students should experience service opportunities outside their own “ghetto.”
- Students need to hear from adults outside their normal circles.
- Same gender teaching venues are important.
As a result we have suspended weekly chapel in favor of the following model:
- Quarterly chapel meetings featuring a speaker from outside our school/church community
- Monthly same gender teaching sessions
- Off campus service opportunities
- Mentoring groups led by faculty
Our desire is to improve our discipleship program as much as the rest of our school programs have improved and we will use the second semester to implement these ideas.
Response:
- What is your response to this changed approach?
- How would you assess your school's disciplieship efforts?
- How would you assess your school's chapel programs?
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