CSI: Leadership brings together Christian administrators from across the country
Chris Pepple |
This week, Lipscomb University hosted the Christian School Institute: Leadership seminar which brought together forty-five school leaders and future leaders representing nineteen schools from ten states. This program is designed to provide practical leadership training for current and future leaders of K-12 Christian schools.
The Leadership Institute offered two tracks of study for participants. Leadership 101 introduced aspiring leaders to a broad overview of the basic issues involved in Christian school leadership. Leadership 201 featured advanced instruction and practical training in marketing, decision making and innovation along with a discussion about the future of Christian schools. Both groups were privileged to participate in joint motivational sessions allowing group interaction during the two-day event. The joint sessions included a two-part series on spiritual formation led by Randy and Rhonda Lowry, a presentation by Dr. David Osborn on innovation and a feature on fundraising by Bill Thrasher.
“This has been a dream of Lipscomb and the National Christian School Association (NCSA) to do something to encourage the next generation of Christian school leaders,” stated Dr. Philip Patterson, current president of NCSA. “NCSA offers a March conference which equips our current leaders to stay strong in their field, but Lipscomb’s conference is unique in that it is a mix of very experienced school heads and others who will be the next leaders to take their place. This conference assists in finding and training our next generation of school leaders.”
Lori Crownover, Life Director at Nashville Christian School and Lipscomb alumna, came to the conference as a first-time participant. “This is a great way to work on our leadership skills and brainstorm with other professionals so we can grow in our careers,” she stated. “I have enjoyed networking with others.”
Robert Young also valued his time at the conference. He is part of a planning team hoping to open Evaggellion Christian Academy in New York next fall. The school will be affiliated with the Long Island Church of Christ congregation. “This is a wonderful opportunity for me to meet others who have been involved in school leadership longer then me,” Young affirmed. “Here I have been able to talk to people from schools that have been in existence 85 years, some 10 years. Others are like me with schools not started yet.”
Mark Niehls, superintendent of Coventry Christian School, drove twelve hours from his home in Pennsylvania to attend CSI: Leadership. “The drive was worth it,” he proclaimed. “Lipscomb and this program can offer us a perspective that other schools who don’t share our Christian worldview can offer. Here we can plan for our future as a Christian school and interface with other Christian school leaders from across the country.”
Along with the motivational and educational sessions, program organizers planned an interactive table talk luncheon so participants could discuss topics such as staying financially stable, safety and security issues and discipline policies. Everyone left the conference with new ideas to consider for their schools and a renewed sense of purpose for their careers.