Is a School like a Family?
Last week we considered whether our schools should be seen as “Second homes for children”.
Family appears to be foundationally important in God’s plans. At the beginning of Creation, it is God who points out to Adam, that it’s not good for him to be alone; he needs family. It’s God who points us to our final home as part of His redeemed family – we will be joyfully, and eternally, in the family of God. Between Genesis and Revelation there are many narratives involving families. Matthew introduces his New Testament account by detailing genealogies and families.
David was never more kingly, never greater in leadership, than when he exercised mercy and hospitality to Mephibosheth and his family. He showed in this compassionate action that families are inclusive.
The welcoming of Mephibosheth into David’s family is based upon David’s desire to “show the kindness of God.” (2 Sam 9:3) This is a notable situation because Mephibosheth was seen by others as someone who should not be included; he is a member of the family of Saul, thus seen as an enemy and he is “lame in both feet” (2 Sam 9:13) thus seen as a liability.
Families are welcoming and inclusive. Biblical Christian education communities need to be these sorts of families.
Simon Sinek is the contemporary “famous name” in Leadership development. He maintains that businesses that run like families are more productive, more caring, more positive places to work. (Sinek, 2014)
In relation to our fellowship, we often ask “To which Church family do you belong?”
If this idea of “family” is helpful to our understanding of our schools, then we need to consider the ways that families operate.
A home is a place of security, love, challenge, serving, discipline, nurture; hospitality and much more. Let’s explore some of these things.
Grateful to be part of an eternal family
Brian
Reference:
- (2014, June 11). Why Good Leaders make you feel safe, Simon Sinek. YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmyZMtPVodo