Pastor’s Corner July 2009

The following was published in our monthly newsletter, the Redeemer Report.

A valuable tool in needy times
In accord with our Lord’s commission to “make disciples” (Matthew 28) Redeemer has been striving to provide opportunities to help each member be equipped spiritually and to grow in Christ (Colossians 1:28-29). One of the most valuable discipleship tools we have is our school Westminster Christian Academy. There are several ways each family can live out the instruction of Scripture to train our children (see Deuteronomy 6 and Ephesians 6), Westminster is a great way this process can be enhanced. The development of a biblical worldview requires cooperation between family, church, and school. When these three institutions are working in concert, powerful life-shaping training can occur. Being a pastor at Redeemer intimately involved with the happenings of our school (as a coach, teacher, and parent), I wish everyone from our church had their children at Westminster, it’s a unique, effective tandem that supports the training efforts every family. If you haven’t given recent consideration concerning enrolling your children at Westminster, please do so again. Each year, by God’s grace, our school grows stronger and I think more effective. Having our own Mark Dunn take on the role of president has injected an additional shot of enthusiasm, vision, and developmental expertise in to the daily outworking of our ministry. Kathy Sievert and Rick Jarvis are truly specialists in the field of academics, administration, and general biblical worldview training. I praise God regularly for the team He has assembled to lead the whole ministry of our Church and especially our school.

Every parent loves their children and wants the very best for them. Christian parents, like the ones I know at our church, desire their children to love and walk with Christ all of their days and be used to grow His Kingdom. The provision of Westminster Christian Academy is a tangible way our church has reached out to offer support to each family. No schooling method will be without flaws or shortcomings, but overall Westminster does a very good job fulfilling an assisting and equipping role.

The most common reason for Redeemer families not attending Westminster is finances. While our tuition is the lowest of any Christian school in the area, it’s still not affordable for all. Still, if a family in our church wants to send their child to Westminster and are legitimately unable to pay full tuition, we will find a way to make it work- we have always done so. Through Westminster’s regular budget and special gifts there is a general financial aid fund that helps any Christian family if they have qualified need. Our general scholarship needs tripled from last school year to this school year largely because of the recent economic downturn. In addition to general scholarships, Redeemer families have also received further assistance to make it work for them. Yes, finances can be a hurdle for many families, but please don’t rule Westminster out before examining all the possibilities first. To this end, on July 26 we will take a special offering during the morning worship services to begin building a
Redeemer specific scholarship fund to help any Redeemer family who needs financial assistance to attend Westminster. I will also preach an instructive sermon that day concerning the call to train our children and the opportunity Westminster presents right here in our midst. Please pray for this offering and sermon. Be ready to give and act.

My dear brothers and sisters, however you choose to disciple your children, realize what is at stake. Our culture is plummeting into godlessness and only the light of Christ and the application of His Word will stop the free fall. If we squander thousands of hours of prime discipleship time by sending our children to places where they have to be on constant defense, when will they develop the biblical worldview that is necessary to change the world? Westminster isn’t a retreat from the world; it’s a training ground for culture-changers. This matter of discipleship isn’t a personal luxury in which we might choose to participate, it is the calling of our Lord Jesus Christ so the world might be claimed for Him. I submit that Westminster is a great assistance in the discipleship endeavor we are all called to engage in.
In the Lamb,
Pastor Tony Felich