FrontLine: The Christian School Revival
FRONTLINE Volume 35 • Number 3
I was very excited when I heard about the choice of this issue’s topic! I am a product of the Christian school movement. All my K–12 education was in Christian schools. My parents were teachers in Christian schools. My children are now attending a Christian school. This is the world I grew up in, and it was a wonderful privilege to do so. It is a movement I believe in. Because of attending Christian schools, I personally benefitted greatly in my academic development but also and especially in my walk with the Lord.
When I was in the eighth grade in Toledo, Ohio, God used an assignment to call me into ministry. In Bible class, we were assigned to write about what we thought God wanted us to do with our lives. God had been working on me before this time, but this assignment weighed on me. I did not want my classmates to know what I was considering. However, I felt that it would be dishonest to write about something other than what God was calling me to do. I am so thankful for that assignment, which God used in my life to make this decision and declare it!
Our articles in this issue center on the new need for Christian schools. I believe this need is greater now than when I started in a Christian school nearly fifty years ago. The first article describes my personal history with the Christian school movement, its developments, and its new vitality. In the next article my wife describes the joys and benefits of a Christian school for our two young children.
For the next piece, I asked one of our veteran teachers, Mr. David Horner, to articulate some of the wisdom he gained from his many years as a Christian school administrator. Though he has been teaching at Faith Baptist Bible College for twenty-four years, he spent more than two decades actively serving in Christian schools as a teacher and administrator. He is a wonderful friend of mine, and we both share Toledo as our hometown.
Dr. Mark Stupka, chair of our teacher education program, offers a soul-searching perspective on what a genuine Christian school looks like. He describes its “DNA”—its ultimate priorities and concerns. He, too, has extensive experience as Christian school administrator. Following his article, I challenge us all to answer the call that my parents did in joining the Christian school movement. With the recent growth it has experienced, we need more committed Christians to replenish the ranks of teachers, administrators, and required staff. Imagine this: what would the next generation of believers look like if there were no Christian schools? The Christian school movement needs to flourish!
Dr. Lynn McCool, whose contributions to our institution I deeply value, has spent many years as a Christian school teacher. She provides a thoughtprovoking exploration of the historical development of education. In addition to this historical perspective, she offers a compelling discussion of a biblical framework for education. Her article challenges us to cultivate intellectual growth and to produce thoughtful individuals who understand both the limitations and virtues of the liberal arts, all while directing the mind toward the glory of God.
Every writer in this issue has had personal experience in the Christian school movement—experience in teaching/ administration and experience as parents. Each recognizes the value and necessity of the Christian school, especially in the times we live in today.
Ken Rathbun, Associate Editor
FEATURES:
A HISTORY AND ASSESSMENT OF THE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL MOVEMENT
Ken Rathbun
What current challenges do Christian schools provide answers for that are convincing to so many Bible-believing people?
THE BENEFITS OF A CHRISTIAN SCHOOL EDUCATION
Cléa Rathbun
If teaching is not purposefully biblical, what takes place is teaching based on a secular mindset, worldview, and perspective.
WHAT MAKES AN EFFECTIVE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR?
David Horner
An effective administrator produces effective teachers, who, in turn, produce productive Christian citizens from the student body.
HOW TO SPOT A COUNTERFEIT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Mark Stupka
Christian schools will fail without teachers who clearly understand, teach, and live from the perspective of a radical biblical worldview.
WHY WE NEED MORE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL TEACHERS FOR CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS
Ken Rathbun
The significant truth we face in our nation and the world is that we are battling for the souls of our children.
ROOTED IN TRUTH: THE BIBLICAL FRAMEWORK FOR CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Lynn B. McCool
A biblical framework for education seeks to form the whole person— mind, heart, and soul—with the ultimate purpose of knowing and glorifying God.
BONUS ARTICLE: Why This Topic?
Kevin Schaal
Text appears at the bottom of this page.
Sound Words: Inspiration for the Pastor’s Study
First Partaker
C. H. Spurgeon: Preach Christ in a Christly Manner
Mark Minnick
Bring … the Books
More Books for a Deserted Island
Brian Collins
Straight Cuts
Does God Want Us to Sing Psalms Today?
Peter Davis
Windows
Preparing for the Ministry
Dan MacAvoy
DEPARTMENTS
ON THE HOME FRONT
BEST OF PROCLAIM & DEFEND
REGIONAL REPORT
HEART TO HEART
A Heavenly Take on Nerdiness
Shannon Steuerwald
AT A GLANCE
Jesus: The Only Hope of the Helpless
Layton Talbert
WITH THE WORD TO THE WORLD
A Farmer and a Stolen Tract
Jim Tillotson
STEWARDSHIP MATTERS
Financial Stewardship by the Christian Family: Legacy and Inheritance
Corey Pfaffe
CHAPLAIN’S REPORT
Serving Alongside: Women in the Chaplaincy
Joe Willis
Our sincere thanks to Ken Rathbun for coordinating this issue of FrontLine magazine.
(Originally published in FrontLine • May/June 2025. Click here to subscribe to the magazine.)
Why This Topic?
The Christian school movement is exploding, thanks to changes in educational choice laws that are sweeping across our nation. The Christian school movement gained popularity in the 1960s and 1970s amid rising concerns over public schools, including busing programs, drugs on campus, and the removal of prayer. The movement faced huge growing pains from the 1980s through the 2000s. Many Christian schools could not compete with the growing homeschool movement. There were financial, spiritual, and ministry challenges that were overwhelming for many churches.
Now, however, two factors have led to a revival of Christian school education.
Public schools across the country have become institutions for indoctrination with evil. In the last four years, the transgender movement has pushed biological boys into girls’ bathrooms and girls’ sports. Students are being encouraged to transition while parents are being kept in the dark. Trust in the public school has vanished, especially for people of faith.
At the same time, school choice laws are springing up everywhere as a result of the Carson/Makin Supreme Court decision in June of 2022. As of the time of this writing, thirteen states plus Washington, DC, have near-universal school choice, and six more states are about to pass legislation. In almost all cases, parents are given the freedom to decide where to spend their children’s education dollars.
The result of these factors is an explosion in the demand for Christian schools. At the same time, however, Christian colleges are graduating a record-low number of teachers. Our Christian school turns away almost as many children as we enroll because we lack both the teachers and the space to meet the need. As we scramble to find space and teachers, we have the luxury of being more selective with enrollment, but that is only a matter of local ministry convenience. The need for Christian schools in our country is huge.
Explosive growth often comes with unintended consequences. In the 1980s the hot topic was how local church Christian schools completely overshadowed church youth ministry. We need to keep Great Commission priorities and local church integrity as we address the avalanche of demand for Christian education.
The Christian school discussion is one that we must have again. Let’s start here.
Kevin Schaal, Editor
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