Editorial

Reflections on Chapter 8 from Mindshift Catalysing Change in Christian Education

At our Executive Meetings, we have been engaging with an excellent book published in 2019 by the Association of Christian Schools International. The most recent focus chapter, ‘From Fear to Hope’ is a timely reminder to take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Cor 10:5) as we enter a season of change as a school community.

In the parable of the talents (Matt 25) one servant ‘plays it safe’ and buries his master’s talents while two others invest and effectively double what they were given. (Matt 25:14). The servant who simply maintained the status quo is called ‘wicked’ while the other two servants who invested wisely are praised and promoted. 

As a Christian School community, how do we invest wisely? How do we move towards hope? 

1. Called to Love

A move toward hope is founded in God’s love and character. ‘There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfect in love' (1 John 4:18).

As we choose to walk through times of change or difficulty with faith in God’s goodness, we can be shaped by a God who is good and who is actively at work in every aspect of our lives. We can relive Paul’s experience in Romans 5:2-5, and 'rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.'

2. Called to Remember

God constantly calls us to discipline our hearts to remember His love toward us:

• 'I led you up from Egypt and brought you out of the house of slavery. And I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all who oppressed you' (Judges 6:8–9).
• '(Jesus) took bread and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me"' (John 14:26).

Remembering who we are, and who we belong to, brings assurance, comfort, and courage to face the unknown. The same power that rose Jesus from the dead is at work in us. As we enter a time of change at MECS, let us move toward hope as we remember that God is good, He has called us to Him and that we are His.