Reflections on the 2026 Rooted Educator Worldview Summit

In mid-June, I had the privilege of attending the third annual Rooted Educator Worldview Summit with four of my ECS colleagues. It was hosted by ACSI and the Colson Center in beautiful Colorado Springs and was titled "Created and Called: Biblical Anthropology for Christian Education." This year's conference explored what it means to be human in light of the Christian worldview and how this vision reshapes the aims, practices, and culture of Christian education. Core topics included: 

• identity as image-bearers of God - Genesis 1:26-27
• the biblical understanding of calling - Galatians 1:15
• strategies to address cultural distortions (e.g., secular self-help, cancel culture, materialism, individualism) - Romans 12:2

I'm thankful I serve at a school where I can hear world-class speakers like Dr. Sean McDowell, John Stonestreet, and Elizabeth Urbanowicz. As Christian educators, we all must consider how a deep theological understanding of personhood informs spiritual formation, service, school, and society. By reclaiming a biblical view of humanity, we can empower students to embrace their identity in Christ, cultivate emotionally healthy relationships with their neighbors, and lovingly serve in our community and beyond.

Below are some questions we will be discussing at our in-service in August. I encourage you to reflect on these questions and perhaps discuss them with your family. Also, please be in prayer for us as we seek to partner with you to see individuals and communities transformed for the glory of God.

"To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" Revelation 5:13

Hope

• How does a biblical view of humanity as created in God's image ground a resilient hope for students?

Truth

• How can Christian education help students understand truth as both revealed and lived?

Identity

• How does being an image-bearer shape a student's understanding of personal worth, purpose, and relational belonging?

Calling

• In what ways can schools help students discern their unique gifts and callings within God's purposes?

Resilient Families: Faithfully Different

We are just weeks away from the 2nd annual Resilient Families luncheon hosted by Comfort! This will happen on Friday, October 25th, and dozens of church and ministry leaders from the tri-state area will gather to hear from key people from the Welborn Baptist Foundation, Diehl Consulting, Evansville Christian School, and local church partners. We will pray and process this year's fall and spring Resilient Families studies and the presentations that will take place in February. We ask that YOU also pray about the studies and presentations. 

What is Resilient Families? Resilient Families helps equip young people in this confusing culture to be confident in their Christian walk. We want to assist YOU, the parents and guardians, with Christ-centered resources and tools to help your children grow in their faith. From late October until early December, movers and shakers from our community will participate in a 6-week Resilient Families study. This study will be offered to families from February to March or April. Make sure you stay tuned for details in the coming weeks and months.

I'm excited to announce that on Friday, February 7th, national speaker, author, blogger, podcaster, wife, and mother to three children, Natasha Crain, will give three presentations! Who is Natasha Crain? Be sure to check out her books on Amazon. You'll quickly realize her books are quite popular, and three of them were written specifically for parents. Natasha will give three presentations for 6th-12th grade ECS students, ECS faculty and staff, as well as area leaders, and for the general public at the Old National Events Plaza. If YOU are a parent or work with young people, don't miss the second-semester studies and presentations, all of which are FREE.

Natasha has a new book being released on February 4th, and her newest book, Faithfully Different, Regaining Biblical Clarity in a Secular Culture, is one that I've listened to and recommend. Natasha is passionate about helping Christians think more clearly about holding to a biblical worldview in an increasingly secular culture and has been interviewed by Sean McDowell, Kirk Cameron, Focus on the Family, The Colson Center, Stand to Reason, and more. If you're interested in diving deeper into her content, Natasha hosts a podcast, The Natasha Crain Podcast, and co-hosts the weekly Unshaken Faith Podcast with Alisa Childers.

If you have questions or want to learn more about Resilient Families, email me, call the school, or contact me on social media. I would be more than happy to talk about good parenting and our good God. To God be the glory!  

You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Deuteronomy 6:5-7

How Resilient Are You?

How do you respond to your children when they don't complete their chores or homework? How do you respond to a co-worker who disagrees with you and disrespects you? Do these situations stress you out, tick you off, get you down in the dumps, or make you feel like you got hit by a Mack Truck? How you handle new and problematic situations shows your resilience level, and people with greater emotional intelligence show greater resilience. If you struggle to be resilient, express your emotions maturely, and handle interpersonal relationships wisely and with love, don't fret! Resilience is something we can grow in.

I like how the Cambridge Dictionary defines resilience. Resilience is "the ability to be happy, successful, etc. again after something difficult or bad has happened." A resilient person adapts well to adversity and can bounce back from difficult situations. He or she has strong coping skills, knows how to use the available resources, and isn't afraid to ask for help. Resilient people persist, persevere, and don't yield to pressure. 

We should all want to be resilient and help others be resilient. We should work heartily for the Lord (Colossians 3:23), listen to constructive criticism (Proverbs 15:31), and give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Because we live in a sinful world, we certainly know this will be difficult. Sometimes we'll have to battle laziness, complaining, and being overly sensitive or defensive. This fight might come from within, or we might experience it with a family member, neighbor, or colleague. 

How are you doing in the area of resilience? Are you showing yourself to be resilient? Do you adapt to situations and press on when your circumstances are less than ideal? If we struggle with the smaller things in life, how will we respond when life gets super stressful and hits us with a massive storm?

The hardships that many Christians face around the world are horrendous. According to Open Doors, a non-denominational mission supporting persecuted Christians around the world, more than 365 million Christians suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith. More than 4,000 Christians were detained last year, and 5,000 Christians were killed for faith-related reasons. 15,000 churches and Christian properties were attacked. If our persecuted brothers and sisters living in Africa and Asia can be resilient, through Christ, so can we.

If there is anyone who should be resilient, it should be us. We aren't little kids trying to figure out life. The overwhelming majority of Americans have an abundance of resources available at their fingertips, and if you're a Christian, the all-powerful Holy Spirit resides in you (Romans 8:9). Christians have the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17), God's Word, hidden in our hearts so that we might not sin against our Creator (Psalm 119:11). We have the Body of Christ to encourage one another and build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11). 

Faith in the Lord is the key to Job-like, Paul-like, and CHRIST-like resilience. We must get our eyes off our circumstances and look to the cross at home, work, and during tough times. Let's hold fast to Proverbs 3:5-6 and point others to Christ daily. Let's trust the Lord with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding. In all our ways, let's acknowledge God, and He will direct our paths. Godly resilience will help us pass God's tests, big and small, empower our children to embrace a biblical worldview, and bring God all the glory!

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10

Ten Back to School Tips For Families

You may not like to hear this, but the start of school is almost here. Woo! For some of your kids, this might bring a sense of excitement, but for others, this might cause a little anxiety. No matter what your child feels, I assure you that an amazing first day and first week of school can be accomplished! I have been a teacher for nearly two decades and a principal for one decade. Two of my kiddos graduated from ECHS, and we have a 7th grader bringing up the rear. I know a little about first-day jitters and have ten tips to help your child start on the right foot and have a successful school year. Doing these things may not get them on the honor roll or a starting spot on the basketball team, but they can make school a bit smoother so your child can better embrace a biblical worldview. Consider discussing the list below with your child, and let me know if there is anything else I can do to help. 

1. Eat breakfast. Breakfast helps replenish the blood sugar your child's brain needs to function at its best. On top of that, no one wants a hangry kid at school!

2. Ask questions. Asking questions leads to solving problems, building relationships, and gaining knowledge. Smart people ask questions. 

3. Constantly pray. Don't just pray before a meal or bedtime; make it a lifestyle. It's easy to get stressed out and complain. Spend that time in God's word and pray instead.

4. Get your sleep. We should work heartily for the Lord, but working 24/7 isn't an option. Getting your rest will help you be better focused and think more clearly.

5. Label your stuff. Consider putting your name on your water bottle, lunchbox, and other items you want to keep. Your new jacket is much more likely to be returned to you if your name is on it.

6. Try something new. We provide numerous activities for you to know what you're gifted in. Join that club or sport, participate in a service project or trip, or run for office. Just do it.

7. Be kind and polite. You don't need to be a Christian to know that being an arrogant jerk isn't cool. Smiling, helping others, and showing appreciation can go a long way.

8. Maximize your class time. Why bring work home when you have teachers at school who can help you with it? Take advantage of the time and resources God has given you at ECS.

9. Set out your clothes and pack your backpack the night before school. Mornings can be chaotic, so minimize the chaos by planning ahead. You might need every minute before the morning rush!

10. Share with your family what you're learning and what homework you have. Although I can help my kiddos with their schoolwork, sometimes they teach me a thing or two. God wants us to use our brains to draw each other towards Christ.

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

Do You Have A Biblical Worldview?

Worldview. We throw this word around a lot, but what is a "worldview?" Simply put, a worldview is a system of firmly held beliefs concerning how we see the world and how we are to live in the world. If you're reading this, you have a worldview. 

A biblical worldview is rooted in the Bible, and when you aren't in the Good Book, your worldview will get diluted. You'll allow Hollywood, Netflix, TikTok, The View, Taylor Swift, Jake Paul, Kim Kardashian, Oprah, friends, and everything else to form your worldview. There are many who say they are Christian and can even explain the gospel, but when one lives in a way that isn't Bible-based, he or she doesn't have a biblical worldview. 

You don't need to take a college worldviews class or be part of a small group focused on living a biblical worldview to cultivate a biblical worldview. What you need to do is be transformed by the renewal of your mind (Romans 12:2). Interpret life through the lens of the gospel instead of following the world's ways. Fill your head with God's Word and allow the Holy Spirit to form convictions in your heart so you live a God-glorifying life. 

As you grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, you'll make decisions pleasing to God concerning what you watch, wear, buy, eat, listen to, and participate in. You'll examine Scripture, pray, and ask yourself if this is the job God wants you to take, the school God wants you to attend, the vehicle God wants you to buy, and the home God wants you to purchase. There are no shortcuts to developing a biblical worldview, but fostering a strong biblical worldview enables us to think more clearly about life in this troubled world. Why anyone wouldn't want that is beyond me.

If you're interested in seeing what kind of worldview you have (e.g., Christian, Marxist, postmodern), you can complete a free worldview checkup at the Summit Ministries site. I recommend filling out the short assessment with family members and discussing your results. If this is something you would like to process, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. Remember, the coffee is on me!

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:8

Praying For Christ-Centered Education

People are sometimes confused about what prayer is, but prayer isn't that complicated. It's the primary way for followers of Christ to... 

• COMMUNICATE to God what we are thankful for,
• CONVEY what we hope for, 
• CONFESS what our sin problems are,
• and CELEBRATE God for who He is. 

Prayer is something we often neglect and take for granted, and we need to remember that prayer is only possible because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross. He makes it possible for us to be able to approach God's throne of grace with confidence. Can we say IN-CRED-I-BLE?

A special day dedicated to prayer is the ACSI Day of Prayer. This year, it's on the last day of the month, February 28th. Please join the Association of Christian Schools (an organization I've been a part of for two decades) and Evansville Christian School (where I've worked for the past seven years) in prayer as we pray around the clock. 

What can you pray for? LOTS! Below are just seven things you can lift up. If you're interested in learning more, feel free to contact me. Thanks for being a part of this essential work, and may God be given the glory!

1. Thank God for ECS and for the 3,500+ Global National Schools that ACSI serves.

2. Pray that teachers would empower students to embrace a biblical worldview and that their lives would be transformed.

3. Pray for committed partnerships between educators, parents, churches, and parachurch ministries.

4. Pray that strong Christian men and women would apply to ECS and other Christian schools.

5. Pray that ECS graduates would be salt and light in the Tri-state area, the Midwest, and throughout the world. 

6. Pray that barriers preventing families from receiving a Christ-centered education are torn down. 

7. Pray that lawmakers support and defend our freedom of education. 

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Reviewing C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity

Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 1898, Clive Staples (C.S.) Lewis wrote more than 30 books, several of which are classics of children's fantasy literature and Christian apologetics. You'll find C.S. Lewis on the lists of greatest 20th-century writers, and rarely will you not find Mere Christianity at or near the top of the most influential Christian book lists. I read the theological classic as part of a book study soon after moving to China back in 2003. Mere Christianity is less than 200 pages and is divided into four books:

1. Right and Wrong as a Clue to the Meaning of the Universe (five chapters focused on the law of human nature)
2. What Christians Believe (1942 - five chapters that include rival conceptions of God)
3. Christian Behaviour (1943 - twelve chapters covering topics such as marriage, forgiveness, hope, and faith)
4. Beyond Personality: Or First Steps in the Doctrine of the Trinity (1944 - eleven chapters comprising of time, the cost of following Christ, and more)

The books were originally given as a series of BBC radio broadcasts during World War II in which C.S. Lewis provides much-needed answers to complex questions for both believers and nonbelievers. If you have any interest in learning about the fundamentals of the Christian worldview, it is explained sensibly and logically in Mere Christianity. Some, such as the late Chuck Colson, have stated that the book was instrumental in helping them know Christ. If you have an interest in apologetics or you consider yourself to be an intelligent skeptic, I recommend checking out Lewis's Mere Christianity. It is a significant piece of work that has impacted many.

For a more in-depth look at Mere Christianity, check out this outline provided by the C.S. Lewis Society of California.

Reviewing Albert Mohler's The Conviction to Lead: 25 Principles For Leadership That Matters

I bought Albert Mohler's The Conviction to Lead: 25 Principles for Leadership that Matters back when I was a principal, but I only recently completed the book. Although I've listened to many of Dr. Mohler's podcasts, watched many of his videos, and read many of his articles and blogs, this was the first book I've read by him. Like what I've listened to, watched, and read of Dr. Mohler's, I wasn't disappointed. Dr. Mohler understands what it takes to be a leader. Dr. Mohler is the president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, a seminary he helped transform in the 90s despite much opposition. Time magazine called him the "reigning intellectual of the evangelical movement in the U.S." He is a man of truth who isn't afraid to tackle challenging moral, cultural, and theological issues.

Dr. Mohler's book, The Conviction to Lead, is over 220 pages and consists of 25 short chapters. It covers a wide variety of topics ranging from character and credibility to managers and media to writers and worldviews. Although this book is written for Christian leaders, the book can benefit any person who desires to be a leader or is already in a leadership position. Of course, non-Christians will disagree with some of Dr. Mohler's views on leadership, but Dr. Mohler will provide challenges and ideas that will make anyone think. It would be a mistake to simply dismiss the book because it is written by a seminary president. The Conviction to Lead is not a book about preaching, and it certainly does not come across as preachy.

I've read several books on leadership over the years, and The Conviction to Lead is the most enjoyable book on leadership I've read. Dr. Mohler tells us about some of his real-life experiences as well as major historical events to provide insight into how to make a greater impact in our spheres of influence. If you're looking for a book about managing people, look elsewhere. The Conviction to Lead is a book with firmly held beliefs that can be used to help ignite heart and mind transformation in our classrooms, churches, communities, and culture. I recommend The Conviction to Lead and look forward to reading other books by Dr. Mohler in the near future.

Reviewing The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus VideoBook

During the summer of 2013, I dropped $46 for The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus VideoBook in order to have another resource for family devos. You can find this six-DVD set and workbook for $30 at www.goodseed.com. It is based on the Gospel of John and provides a good overview of the main message of the Good Book. John Cross, general director for GoodSeed, begins with creation and threads together essential Old and New Testament accounts. Two questions are focused upon:

1. Who is the Son of Man?
2. What is the good news?

As these questions are answered, nearly 1200 verses are provided. You get 11 hours of instruction divided into 15 chapters and 52 sections, with each section ranging between 4 and 27 minutes. Mr. Cross teaches a group of adults in a classroom setting, and at times, the instruction is provided at historic sites in Israel. At the end of each section, you are to pause the DVD and answer the workbook questions.

Over 70 visual aids are used, which I would like for my classroom; however, some people will probably find a few of the visual aids to be a little cheesy. The video could also use an update (e.g., music, font). Although Mr. Cross is not a dynamic speaker, he kept the attention of my kiddos (seven and ten years old at the time). If you use the video with children, I wouldn't expect them to listen unless they are regularly presented with the gospel message. The video is more geared toward adults who want to develop a Christian worldview or those who are open to learning about our Father's character and the nature of sin. Spanish audio and subtitles are options.

We don't plan on using The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus VideoBook again, but I'm glad I bought it. It served its purpose by bringing a change of pace to our family devos and helping us draw closer to the Stranger on the road to Emmaus.

Now that same day, two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; Luke 24:13-15

Reviewing Brian J. Walsh's & J. Richard Middleton's The Transforming Vision: Shaping a Christian Worldview

The Transforming Vision was a book I was assigned to read for a Cedarville University education class I took several years ago. It is divided into four parts and consists of twelve chapters:

Part 1: What are Worldviews?

Chapter 1: Worldview and Culture

Chapter 2: Analyzing Worldviews

Part 2: The Biblical Worldview

Chapter 3: Based on Creation

Chapter 4: Acknowledging the Fall

Chapter 5: Transformed by Redemption 

Part 3: The Modern Worldview 

Chapter 6: The Problem of Dualism 

Chapter 7: The Development of Dualism 

Chapter 8: The Rise of the Secular Worldview 

Chapter 9: The Gods of Our Age

Part 4: The Biblical Worldview in Action

Chapter 10: A Christian Cultural Response

Chapter 11: Worldview and Scholarship

Chapter 12: Toward a Christian Philosophical Framework

The premise of this 215-page book is that society is a wreck and only through a Christian worldview can it truly be transformed. Dr. Walsh and Dr. Middleton desire to see every facet of life transformed - families, schools, businesses, governments, and more. They explain how the Christian worldview is the key to that transformation.

The Transforming Vision is a good book that is well-documented and biblically sound, but it reads very much like a college textbook. It is not a challenging read, but it definitely requires some reflection. I have read a few books pertaining to the topic of worldviews, and The Transforming Vision is not at the top of my list of most enjoyable worldview reads. I recommend Chuck Colson's How Now Shall We Live? for something that is both engaging and thought-provoking. James Sire's The Universe Next Door provides a better overview of major non-Christian worldviews. Although I have recommended reading other worldview books, I did benefit from reading The Transforming Vision and believe it will continue to bless many others.

Reviewing Glen Schultz's Kingdom Education: God's Plan For Educating Future Generations

I was given Kingdom Education by a fellow administrator a couple of years ago, but I just finished the 180-page book. It is required reading for one of my M.Ed. classes I'm taking in a few months. This 16-chapter book is divided into five "Kingdom Education" sections:

1. Its Definition, Purpose, and Result
2. The Role of the Home
3. The Role of the Church
4. The Role of the School
5. The Future

Dr. Schultz's main message is that parents must ensure that their children receive an education that is biblically based. The local church must work with parents and teachers so that every child has the opportunity to receive an education that is Christ-centered. Some of what Dr. Schultz shares about public schools will likely be a surprise to many, and opinions will definitely be formed.

I believe Dr. Schultz's book has a good message. It is loaded with Scripture, and it is evident that Dr. Schultz desires the best for young people. I do think more practical solutions as to how to make Christian education a possibility for everyone would make this book even better. Church buildings definitely need to be more than a Sunday and Wednesday meeting place, as Dr. Schultz stated, but much needs to change about our thinking for all young people to have the opportunity to receive a Christian education. Getting a Christian education is expensive, and many simply cannot afford it. What can we do to make Christian schooling affordable to all? Many Christian schools are lacking creativity and a challenging curriculum. How can we better engage our minds and be producers instead of imitators?

I would have also liked for Dr. Schultz to write his book with a more international mindset and provide more information concerning some of the statistics he used and statements he made about America's youth. I do not want these minor criticisms to come across as if Kingdom Education is not worth reading. I am thankful to have read the book and feel Kingdom Education is an excellent book for Christians to discuss if they have anything to do with teaching today's youth. If you are a parent struggling with the schooling issue, I recommend checking out John MacArthur's Grace To You site and gotquestions.org.

Why Aren't We This Thankful Every Day?

Earlier this month, World Magazine wrote an article about Gary Varvel, an Indianapolis Star cartoonist who happens to reside where I am from - Hendricks County, Indiana. Through cartooning, Gary is able to reach a wide U.S. audience with a Biblical worldview. Here is a powerful question from a Thanksgiving cartoon he drew last year.

Being the Very Best Teachers

The Key Trait of Successful Teachers by Will Bankston - Earlier this week, I sent this article to the TIS Middle School Staff as well as to administrators I work with. It has been well received. If you are a teacher and desire to teach in the right way, I recommend reading this.

"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men." Philippians 2:5-7

A few of the TIS middle schoolers at a recent reading competition in Beijing.

Reviewing Emily Colson's Dancing with Max

During my two weeks in Indiana in January and February, I was pleasantly surprised to receive some Christmas presents. As is often the case when I am given gifts, I saw a few gifts in the shape of a book and was very pleased. One of those gifts happened to be Emily Colson's 200-page book, Dancing with Max. Dancing with Max is divided into 26 short chapters with a Prologue and Epilogue. Although this was not a typical read for me, I placed it on my Amazon Wish List several months ago for a few reasons...

1. Emily Colson is the daughter of Chuck Colson, a Christian leader and worldviews expert who has written over 15 books. I have greatly enjoyed a couple of Chuck's books and knew he wrote the Prologue and Epilogue to this book. Chuck calls Dancing with Max the most personal book he has participated in since his first book, Born Again.
2. I was also attracted to reading a true story about a Christian lady who has persevered through some difficult circumstances. In Dancing with Max, you read the story of a mother whose husband walked out on her and their autistic child, Max. I know a little about desertion and have a fun-loving autistic nephew, so I can identify a little with this story.

Ms. Colson's writing style could be described as a little over the top; however, I enjoyed her way with words and feel Ms. Colson is a gifted writer. Perhaps I could argue some theological points, but we can do that with every book. If you are not a Christian, I would still highly recommend this book. It is evident what Ms. Colson believes, but she comes across in a very non-threatening manner. If you are looking for a real message of hope and endurance, I highly recommend taking an evening or two to read this wonderful testimony of God's grace.

Reviewing Nancy Pearcey's Total Truth

Nancy Pearcey, former scholar for worldview studies at Philadelphia Biblical University's Center for University Studies, wrote Total Truth in 2004. The 512-page Study Guide edition was published the next year and won a Christianity Today Award of Merit and the ECPA Gold Medallion Book Award in the Christian and Society category. Total Truth is one of seven additional books you must choose from to read to complete the ACSI Christian Philosophy of Education requirements. It is a book that helps the reader understand how to develop a Biblical worldview and is a follow-up book dealing with the worldview themes in How Now Shall We Live?. Pearcey shows us that there are many, including Christian educators, who are dividing matters into sacred and secular. This is even happening at Christian universities across the United States. Many Christians fail to see that all truth is God's truth. Christianity is not just religious truth, but total truth. I have met in small groups on a couple of different occasions to discuss the contents of this book, and more meetings are planned for the future. Total Truth is not light reading, and much can be taken from it. I found the last two sections to be more enjoyable than the first two sections, primarily because I had already read a lot of information from the first two sections. Despite that, I benefited greatly from reading Total Truth and would recommend it to others.