Starting A Christian School Summary

Warnings and encouragements can be found throughout this book to guide one to thoughtfully consider multiple factors before starting a Christian school. The author gives insightful topics to prayerfully reflect upon when making determinations as to the direction a ministry wants to go with their school such as: class sizes, teachers, standards, curriculum, philosophy, leadership, promotion and finance. Charts and table models are included to demonstrate a successful expansion plan along workable tables to help determine costs in order to have a healthy, financially free school. The author repeatedly states the importance of not starting a Christian school unless God calls one to do so. (p16) The biblical mindset need to begin a Christian

Critical evaluation of major ideas Baker supports his claims with a multifaceted approach varying between testimonies, data, and personal discovery. More data would have given more validity to his claims. When supporting his claim of the importance of keeping standards high he gave an example of visiting a school that wanted the outcome that high standards bring but did not want to follow through with the tough decisions that were needed to get those results. (p57) Data from schools keeping high standards in comparison to those who do not would have been very insightful and more convincing in supporting this claim. In another claim about leadership, Mr. Baker uses Dr. Horton as a model of a good leader. Baker uses the testimony of employees to give credence to what a good leader ought to be. (p152-153) While these are excellent references as the character and heart of Dr. Horton, outside sources would have been more impactful as to the far reaching aspects of what a leader with the right heart and mindset can accomplish by allowing themselves to be used by

(p167) The purpose of a Christian school is to show that a ministry properly set up and biblically guided will reach and mold vessels that can be used for God’s service. (Chapter 17) This book certainly has much to offer a principal or a pastor looking into starting a Christian school both from a business sense and a spiritual sense. The question and answer chapters will be especially helpful as those questions are timeless concerns. In the area of creating a school with a “differential advantage,” the author does his best writing in guiding the reader to the central theme of his book, leading learners to Christ and instructing individuals to be fully equipped to do anything God calls them to do. (Chapter