School from Scratch

Doug Crowder

Description

"Itching" to start a school or other education ministry that would solve a known need and share the gospel anywhere in the world? School from Scratch will make it possible!

School from Scratch could be the resource you need to open the doors of your mind to awesome possibilities.



Drawing on forty years of starting schools and a host of other educational ministries worldwide, Doug Crowder shares stories and insights that will challenge you to step out and boldly follow God’s leadership.



Writing in a straightforward fashion, he walks you through how to confront a lack of resources, how to identify facilities, how to navigate legal issues, and more. Get answers to questions such as:



· Is it really possible to share the gospel through education?

· How did the COVID-19 pandemic create opportunities for school startups?

· Which school models are most likely to succeed?



The author emphasizes that there are God-fearing, believing people, families, business owners, and even entire church congregations without a well-developed biblical worldview. Through education, we have the opportunity and privilege to enhance the lives of others—both young and old.

Sujets

• Religion
• Christianisme
• Christian Ministry
• Philosophie et théologie
• Religious studies
• Adult

Informations

• Publié par: WestBow Press
• Date de parution: 18 novembre 2022
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781664280137
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

School From Scratch -
2nd Edition
 
 
 
 
Doug Crowder
 
 
 
 

 
Copyright © 2022 Doug Crowder.
 
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
 
WestBow Press
A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan
1663 Liberty Drive
Bloomington, IN 47403
www.westbowpress.com
844-714-3454
 
Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
 
Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.
Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.
 
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org
 
Cover and drawings by Talia Walker (ninth grade student, Upward International Schools)
 
ISBN: 978-1-6642-8014-4 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-6642-8015-1 (hc)
ISBN: 978-1-6642-8013-7 (e)
 
Library of Congress Control Number: 2022918630
 
 
WestBow Press rev. date: 11/17/2022
FOREWORD
KARL BASTIAN
Everyone knows the Great Commission that compels us to go into all the world and share the Gospel. What is often forgotten is the second half of that commission—the educational mandate: “teaching them to observe all I commanded you” (Matthew 28:20a).
Yes, we need to reach the lost, and Doug Crowder has been on the front lines of mission work for his entire ministry. But he also understands the need to disciple those who come to Jesus so they can grow and get to the work of the kingdom. It is critical that we do everything we can not only to teach the Bible, but to do so in a way that transforms lives.
In Nehemiah 8:8, we read, “They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so they could understand what was being read.” But what do you do when there is a need for Biblical education and the schools available to help evangelize and educate the next generation just aren’t available?
That’s when you might find God calling you to start a school. Yes! You can “start a school from scratch.” The very idea can be daunting and intimating. Doug knows this, because he lived it when God called him to do this very thing. If only Doug had ha a book like this to help him on that journey!
Well, the good news is, you do! This book will help you through the process of launching a school and help guide you around, under and over the hurdles you will face. It will save you time, prepare you for what to expect, and give you practical insight to put you on a path to success!
If you are reading this, God has indeed given you a big task! He never calls where he will not provide and Guide. I know this book will be a part of God’s assistance in your adventure of helping to fulfill the Great Commission. Remember, you can do “ all things through Him who strengthens you and will provide all you need!” (Philippians 4:13, 19).
Because Jesus loves children,
Pastor Karl Bastian
Founder, Kidology.org
CONTENTS
1     The Vision Begins
2     What Is an Education Ministry?
Homeschool Groups
After-School Programs
Adult Education
School of Ministry
Special Needs and Situations
Traditional? School
SCHOOL FROM SCRATCH
3     A Biblical Worldview
Let’s Begin! Gathering the Pieces
4     People
Harmonious Philosophy
Teachers
Qualifications of Teachers
Professional Development
5     Location, Location, Location
Church Locations
Ministry, Opportunities, and Challenges
Space
Money
Other Locations
6     Curriculum
Content
User Friendly
Flexibility
Other Resources
7     Recordkeeping
Attendance
School Transfers and Permanent Records
Financial Records
Income and Expense
8     Technology
Student and Classroom Technology
Remote Education
Video Classes
Parental Concerns
School Management and Administration
9     Legal Issues
A Church-Operated School
Setting Up the Independent School
Bylaws
Governing Boards
Licenses and Inspections
10       Accreditation
THE BEGINNING
11       Time to Scratch
12       A Little History
Public Schools
Christian Homeschools
Appendix
Author’s Recommendations
A Technology Testimony
Notes
1     THE VISION BEGINS
W hen was the last time your child pushed you into doing something that you had no intention of doing? This journey on which I am about to take you begins exactly like that—with a push from our daughter.
It all began many years ago when our daughter, now forty-five, was four years old and allowed to enter kindergarten in Tucson, Arizona. At Christmas break, she decided someone had deprived her of an education. She was then five, and they had not yet taught her to read.
After we expressed our frustrations to anyone who would listen, a friend gave us copies of paperback phonics readers from Florida-based Abeka Books. Learning to read with phonics was not taught in that era. Over the Christmas break, with the help of the readers and alphabet blocks, we taught her to read things such as, “Pat the rat sat on the cat.” You get the idea.
When she returned to school after the break, she took it upon herself to read for the class when it was her turn for show-and-tell. That night, the teacher phoned me, asking why I had “made” that little girl learn to read at such an early age. My wife and I decided recently that, even now, we still haven’t “made” her do anything.
By the next school year, we had moved to San Diego County and enrolled her in the elementary school across the street from our house and our church. A few days into the school year, our daughter came home complaining that they were putting her in the library for most of the day because she was ahead of the other kids and they didn’t want her to be bored. Not believing that story, I approached the school, and they confirmed the situation. When I asked why they didn’t just put her with kids who were on her educational level, they informed me that it wasn’t done that way. That was my first encounter with managed ignorance! It still abounds in many places today.
Being very frustrated, I posted an advertisement in the local paper: “Our kids learn to read in kindergarten. Do yours?” The enormous response was astounding yet not unexpected. However, I then faced the dilemma of what to do with that response. Our church had an active weekday preschool, but we needed more. We needed an elementary school as well. I responded to those who had answered the advertisement, asking them if they were interested in a start-up school. Upon enrolling sixty prekindergarten through second-grade students, I realized I had no idea what to do to actually start a school. Bottom line, I knew I had to figure it out.
Google wasn’t even a dream in those days. However, I managed to contact Abeka, the publisher of those paperback phonics readers, without the help of the internet. “Do you have anything else?” I asked. They did, so I did, and the rest, as they say, is history (and math, and English, and science).
Vision, passion, drive—you cannot get these qualities from a book. I desire to share a bit of knowledge and a lot of experience with you. I believe God has, in current events, displayed before the entire world a tremendous opportunity for sharing the gospel through education. We can do it!
Notes
2     WHAT IS AN EDUCATION MINISTRY?
S tarting a school from scratch can be a daunting idea, particularly if your experience is with a Christian school that has hundreds of students, sports programs, spelling bees, Bible tournaments, and so forth. Good news! Most schools do not start that way. Furthermore, that is not the only way for education to happen in a Christian setting. I believe every church should have a ministry of education that goes beyond religious training. In the past, and still in certain parts of the world, educators established Christian schools exclusively for the children of Christian families. Although this is not inherently a bad motive, more than ever before, parents outside the Christian community know their children’s education is lacking. This need and desire for excellence far surpasses any bias against the church or Christian schools. What an opportunity for ministry: education based on a Biblical worldview excels in academics, compassion, and principles! “Whatever your hand finds to do, do all to the glory of God.” 1
In this chapter, we explore possibilities for creativity in both ministry and education.

HOMESCHOOL GROUPS
Here are some essential insights into the dynamics of homeschool families:
• Homeschool families desire fellowship and activities—not apart from their children but rather with their children and other like-minded families.
• Homeschool families are very private in some parts of the United States, fearing reprisal from “regular folks,” even though that fear may be unfounded.
• Most homeschooled children act more mature than their peers in the public school system.
• The vast majority of