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Sustaining the Christian School Long-Term through Wise and Biblical Stewardship
In
the 21st Century, we often find Christian school boards comprised of
business owners, bankers and even venture capitalists. Churches as
well, often have similar board compositions. Yet, the parallel of both
Christian schools and churches in evangelical America today seems the
insatiable appetite for bigger and better buildings. If and when a
phase 1 of a capital plan is complete, there is little rest and then off
to phase 2 and even phase
3.
Yet,
Biblical teaching would appear to admonish us to faithfully train up
Godly and wise disciples. Whereas, while we often fall captive into
grand campus aspirations, it is God who still looks at the heart. The
late Larry Burkett wisely taught that as long as we remain true to the
building up of people - the building programs will indeed come along as
the by-product. Therefore, a fine campus does not guarantee wise and
Christlike graduates. Have
we as Christian school leaders in the 21st century now grown accustomed
to debt and not seeking the timeless and wise truths of Scripture for
funding our Christian schools?
Romans
16:13 teaches us to let no debt remain outstanding except the
continuing debt to love one another. Perhaps Christian school boards of
the past 5 -10 years are those responsible for our current state of
many Christian schools in debt. Perhaps it was too assuming to build a
campus as though enrollments would always increase along with tuition.
Deferring debt has not worked for the federal government and certainly
does not serve the Christian
school. (The borrower becomes servant to the lender. Proverbs 22:7)
Yet,
the Christian school leader today often inherits this financial upside
downess. In his hiring interviews with the school, such a picture was
never fully presented. If the Head of School does not quickly right the
ship, the board may get anxious and either jettison their leader
(despite being a Godly and visionary leader) or lose him as his calling
is frustrated by the school's deep financial
problems.
How can we reverse this trend among Christian schools? The following may serve as starting points:
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Having an outside strategic financial audit.
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Seeking wise counsel through a set of eyes that are from outside the internal leadership of the school.
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Searching the Scriptures for establishing a financial strategic plan to take the school forward.
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Engaging
in wise counsel that leads to better financial management & wise
spending that sees the school cut costs without cutting staff or
programs.
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Positioning schools to operate debt-free and therefore better serve the Kingdom of God.
There
will remain the call for healthy Christian schools that practice sound
financial and Biblical management. These schools will surely be the
schools with long-term viability that can be used by God. As such, our
vision at the Imago Dei group is to develop Christian schools that
experience God's provision and grow further for His glory.
We
encourage you to eagerly address your school's finances with best
practices for Biblically sound management and long-term sustainability.
The
Imago Dei Group offers cost effective and customized consulting to well
serve your school. For further information or to engage in on-site
financial strategic planning - you are encouraged to contact us at the:
Imago Dei Group
Christian School Consulting
912.656.7567
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