Pastor’s Corner February 2006

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

Consider sending your children to our school, Westminster Christian Academy.

The bible’s mandate to Christian parents regarding the discipleship of their children is first outlined in the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 6.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with 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. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

The Apostle Paul has this bedrock teaching in mind as he writes these words to the Ephesian Church.

Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

As I have analyzed the bible’s teaching, observed Christian parents striving to be faithful, and tried to be a dedicated parent myself, I am convinced that a church-based day school is one of the most beneficial ministries a Church and its leaders provide for the flock of God. I readily affirm other legitimate biblical discipleship options like home-schooling and independent Christian schools, however, I would ask each member of Redeemer who have eligible children, to consider placing your children in our school. Here are a few of the reasons I believe sending our children to Westminster is a very effective way to fulfill the bible’s mandate to disciple our children:

1. Westminster is under the spiritual oversight of your elders and an integral part of the larger mission and vision of Redeemer- to mature as a community of Christians who love to worship their God, study His Word, and proclaim His gospel to the world.
2. Westminster is committed to teach a biblical world and life view in all subject areas.
3. Westminster delivers excellence in academics.
4. Westminster seeks to assist, encourage, and bolster the process of discipleship overseen by parents.
5. Westminster teaches the bible from a Reformed perspective. The message of our Church is the same as the message of our school- a unified message between family, church, and school.
6. As a church, we can corporately help provide for families who have special needs (single-parent situations, cases of financial need, etc.) in a more holistic way, thus practicing true, biblical community.
7. Westminster contributes to the wider evangelical community and cause by inviting members of other churches to send their children.

Again, I affirm other methods of Christian Education, I simply want to challenge you to consider enrolling your children at our school if you have not already. If finances are the issue, please see me or one of the other elders or deacons. We do not want affordability to be the reason one of our families doesn’t have their children at Westminster. I especially challenge those who have children entering grades 7-10 next year to enroll. These grades will build up in numbers and opportunities very quickly if Redeemer families lead the way in participation. Even with small numbers in these upper grades to start, our children will have an excellent overall experience with closer exposure to their teachers and unique opportunities for extra-curricular events and ministries.

Whatever your final decision is, be sure that it aligns with our biblical mandate to disciple the children God has blessed us with, for Christ’s glory. Please support our Westminster ministry with regular prayer, I so appreciate it!

In the Lamb,
Pastor Tony Felich