Christian Education Europe - Weekly Blog #2020

How Much Do We Need Each Other In Christian Education?

Thu, 26 Nov 2020 13:32:57 +0000

Steve Beegoo has recently been appointed as Head of Education for Christian Concern and highlights the importance of mutual encouragement…

I was sitting at my desk when I received the email last week. “I am overwhelmed with your kindness… Thank you!”. Then a little later from someone else, “Thank you for your prayers, I really appreciate that especially as I have had a hospital procedure this week - very timely!”. My own encouragement of others comes back to encourage me!

As a trainee teacher I was overwhelmed, and almost destroyed, by the amount of criticism which was the standard vernacular of the teacher trainers. When in my early days as a teacher, the ‘robust’ criticism of Ofsted set a fear inducing atmosphere for so much of school life. Yet, there were always those who brought Christianencouragement. En- courage-ment. Putting in courage! And the value of this, is incalculable for those of us in education…

When I spoke at the Christian Education (CEE) conference two years ago, the sense of mutual encouragement around was a powerful dynamic. I find this in courageous Christian communities, and schools all around the world. The distinctive flavour of Christian encouragement, which multiplies courage, is not the bland flattery which forever shuns from facing issues, nor is it the ‘please-like-me’ platitudes given to curry favour. No. Christian encouragement is deeply real, and deeply needed. This kind of encouragement has given me courage and sustained me, in very challenging times, because it is divine. And it multiplies itself!

Paul, in Ephesians 4, explains a wide range of gifts and abilities needed in the ventures of the kingdom. In speaking about teaching, he encourages the Ephesians with this: “Speaking the truth, in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by everysupporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Ephesians 4 v 15-16; NIV 1984).

We tend to understand that there are different gifts, and different parts to ‘the body’, and that they all have a part to play in our ventures for Christ. But in this passage there is also a revelation that what we say to each other, ‘speaking the truth, in love,’ as we are equipped by Christ, will have the effect of holding us together through the supporting ligaments of relationship that you and I can cultivate. Deep attachment, formed through divinely inspired encouragement. As each of us do our work in this truth-speaking in love, the body holds together and is built up. How are your supporting ligaments of love? As you bring divinely inspired encouragement to another person, so others in turn bring that to you. Are you being divinely encouraged and equipped through others?

Another equally good translation of the word ‘supporting’ is ‘supplying’. As we are connected to the Head, we supply each other through strong relationships. The gifts of skilful apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, connected to the Head, can equip us and supply us, so that through great teaching and encouragement we can all mature into all that God has for us. And as we actively seek to be encouragers, suppliers to others, so this comes back to us and we all benefit.

But even without these events, there is something we can all respond to today. Can you choose to see, what God sees, in a child, a colleague, a friend or a family member? Bring divine encouragement by simply naming it in them, thanking them and thereby honouring God for who they are, as much as for what they have done.

May your supplying ligaments strengthen you in these months ahead! May you not only ‘hold together’, but grow and be built up in love. May you receive from the great people God is giving you opportunity to connect with, so that joy-filled courage may sustain you.

The link to the ‘Further Up Further In’ conference can be found here.

LET'S GET TOGETHER

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 13:31:51 +0000

How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity! - Psalm 113:1

There's something energising about being in the company of people who are passionate about the same things as you are.

In fact, when like-minded individuals get together, powerful things can happen.

For ACE students much encouragement can come from opportunities that bring them together. Using an alternative curriculum has many wonderful benefits, but let's be honest, it can be isolating. By attending events students can see that they are not alone, strong friendships can be made, and they can inspire one another.

In many ways it is the same for parents and educators. Discouragement is an easy thing to fall into when you try and make it by yourselves. You can question your abilities, motives, and resources. Coming together with others who are in a similar situation to you can massively build up your confidence and reignite your vision. The support and the advice of others who are on the same path as you is a priceless thing.

In order to create opportunities for students AND educators to meet one another, Christian Education runs special events throughout the year.

Of course, there are many reasons to attend these events, but one of the big ones is to MAKE CONNECTIONS.

TEACH Camp

If you are an ACE home educator, TEACH Camp is the event for you.

It goes something like this -

Who, where, and when?

Five days in the beautiful Welsh countryside with your family.

TEACH Camp 2020 is happening from the 25th-29th of May.

Refresh and add to your knowledge

Each morning there are informative sessions and workshops designed to equip you on your homeschool journey. At the same time, the children and youth attend their own groups, in which they will take part in fun activities and presentations. These sessions are designed not only to encourage you in your home educating, but also in your Christian walk as well.

Relax in the Afternoon

Afternoon activities will be available for participation in the afternoon, and the coffee bar will be open for those who want to sit and chat.

You can either join in, take some time to chill or explore the local area with your family!

Rallying Together

Each day is topped off with an evening worship and rally that everyone can attend! Special guest speakers are present, family interviews happen, a student concert takes place, AND there is a celebration for graduates, plus much more!

After Rally Fun

There's time for tea and chats after the rally, as well as a youth club where the teens can take part in some fun challenges with the 24-7 team.

Click Here to Connect at TEACH Camp

European Student Convention

European Student Convention is specifically designed with ACE Students in mind -

Who, where, and when?

Five days in the English Cotswolds with other ACE Students! (plus sponsors)

ESC 2020 is happening from the 6th-10th July.

What's it about?

ESC is an event where ACE students come together and participate in different events under the categories - Academics, Art, Drama, Music, and Sports. Each category get's judged by experts, and in the evenings there is an awards ceremony to present the students with medals for their achievements. By participating, students have the opportunity to practice, explore, and display their skills and talents, and get constructive feedback from people who are experienced in those areas.

Group events

There are many group events that students can enter together. From 1600 meter relay, to PACE Bowl, to vocal ensemble. Students learn to work in unison in order to gain a medal! School teams come together, but if you are a home educator, TEACH holds events before ESC to get teams together and get some practice. These practices are also great opportunities to get together and meet other home educators.

Evening Rally

Each day has a big finish with the evening rally. After all the competition of the day, students congregate together to worship the Lord, celebrate each others' achievements, watch exciting command performances, and hear an uplifting and relevant message.

16+

For students who are 16 and over there are after rally events run by the 24-7 Team that give them space to chat, get to know one another, and have a laugh.

Christian Educators' Conference

Christian Educators' Conference, a place for Christian educators! -

Who, when, and where?

Two days of networking and workshops with other people who work and serve in the world of Christian education.

CEC 2020 is happening on the 4th and 5th of December at King's House Conference Centre in Northampton.

Information and Inclusion

CEC is designed to inform and update educators. Sessions cover current affairs, CPD, practical advice and more. In addition to these refreshing sessions, CEC is also a great place to connect with like-minded people who share the vision of Christian education.

Break-away

As well as attending the main sessions, you can choose a topical track that is most interesting to you. This way, you can attend workshops that are the most relevant to your need. This option also enables you meet others with similar interests, questions, and ideas.

Hot Drinks and plenty of Biscuits

There are plenty of breaks in between sessions allowing time to chat. You also have the chance to mingle during mealtimes.

Nothing brings people together like food does!

Quiz time

Last year we introduced the CEC Quiz which was great success. After the sessions of the day, you can join a team and take part in the fun, or pick a team to support and be entertained as a spectator! It's a great way to wind down and get to know people.

L O V I N G

Thu, 06 Feb 2020 13:00:00 +0000

There are as many forms of love as there are moments of time - Jane Austen

Loving is our character trait for this month, and it just so happens that February is known particularly for it's 14th day when people take the opportunity to express how much they love each other. Valentine's Day can be considered tacky and commercialised and we may not agree with everything it represents, but it's arguably a pretty good idea to take some time to focus on love.

Of course, V-Day concentrates on romantic love, but how about we change the rules a little bit?

NEW RULES

Valentine's Day is now every day.
Once a day you have to let someone know you love them.
Recipients of love include: Parents, children, siblings (including the annoying ones), friends, teachers, strangers, the dog (deservedly so), people on the internet, people you don't agree with, people who mock you and hate you (oooo, it's getting serious now).
Expressions of love can come in the form of: Washing the dishes for mum, hugging a sibling, liking someones photo, telling a spouse (or anyone for that matter) how much you appreciate them, praying for the world and its residents, being available to help those in need, smiling at a stranger, sacrificing your time for the benefit of another, not snapping at someone when they are being frustrating...

In summary, the new rules make being loving into a way of life, rather than limiting it to one day of the year.

Jesus, our PRIME example says:

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.

If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love,

just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

John 15: 9-17

This February, start the trend of putting love into action every day. Yes, sometimes it is PAINFUL to choose love over anger or hurt, but fill your mind with the words of the Lord. Abide in His love, and He will give you the strength to share it with others.

To love is the greatest goal you can set for yourself in this life, and by doing so you will absolutely make a difference in this world.

Comment below any ideas you have on how to be loving in day to day life, or how someone changed your life by showing you some love.

D E T E R M I N E D

Thu, 09 Jan 2020 13:00:00 +0000

adj. having made a firm decision and being resolved not to change it

This time of year people are all about starting fresh. They make plans for their lives. Resolutions. Goals.

They rehash old dreams, conjure up new ones.

Hope for the future seems to appear out of nowhere.

All the mantra's get posted and paraded:

This year we will live a healthy lifestyle, this year we will achieve the grades we want,

this year we will travel, we will meet that creative goal.

Everything lost in the old year has been born again in the new.

Then real life happens.

The adrenaline-like effect of New Year wears off, and motivation becomes that mysterious character who lingers in the back of your mind as a nice idea. The school work you planned to crack on with with a new vigour has become a mountain of boredom that you don't want to think about. Money is tight in January, so you can't afford to buy those healthy meals, or pay for gym membership, and then it just doesn't happen. And so on, and so forth....

There is this saying: Without doubt, there is no faith.

Well, without determination, you don't have a realistic goal.

What is a goal or resolution? It's a challenge to reach further, to aim higher, to go beyond what you have achieved before.

And to follow through with that, what do you need?

Answer: Determination

Determination is KEY in being successful in reaching your goals. It is an attitude that you have to nurture, until it becomes part of you. It is the characteristic that will take you from being a goal setter to a goal achiever. In fact, goal setting and determination should go hand in hand, paired from the beginning, the perfect combo.

So, how do you nurture determination in your life?

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Be thankful for what you already have.

Setting goals should not come from a place of greed, but rather, from a place of hope.

Step back, look at what you have already received and achieved, what you have already been able to do.

Take some joy in what you have accomplished in the past.

Be assured by remembering what God has already enabled in your life.

2. Trust God to guide you.

Having support is invaluable when you are aiming to achieve something.

If you have people who are there for you and in your corner, you are #blessed.

Unfortunately, there are times when people let you down -- it's inevitable.

That's why before you go to people, go to God.

God will give you vision and fuel your determination in a way that nobody else can.

His limitless love for you will settle your spirit and always remind you how valuable and precious you are.

In every situation, whether you are at full steam ahead or on a downer (which happens), He will be there.

With every dream and aspiration, go to Him. Sometimes, what we want and what He wants for us are two different things.

One thing is for sure, what He wants for us is what we were created to do, and when we agree to do what we are created

to do, determination is never far away.

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him. - Psalm 28:7

3. Find someone to be accountable to.

Once you've got things sorted with God, find someone who you trust to share your goal with.

This could be a relative, teacher, mentor, or friend.

Being accountable to someone will help you to meet your goals.

Why?

Because you are human. There are times when you will want to give up.

Having someone there who is invested in your life and wants to see you develop will not only encourage you,

it will also give you a person who will motivate you when you don't have the motivation within yourself.

Remember, it is a privilege to have someone to be accountable to. Don't take this lightly.

Listen to them, accept their encouragement -- and their criticism -- and be thankful for the time they give to you.

4. Give yourself a break

If you are on the verge of giving up, take heart: Rome wasn't built in a day.

In any project you have, remind yourself that it takes time to become a master of something.

If you're tired or frustrated, don't give up on your goals; just have a break.

Spend some time seeking God, go for a walk, take a nap. Being burned out never helped anyone.

You are ALLOWED to rest. In fact, God encourages it.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. - Psalm 23: 1-3

In conclusion:

Nurture your determination by being thankful, trusting in God's guidance, having accountability, and giving yourself a break when you need it.

Then, with that determination, OWN those 2020 goals and resolutions!

Comment below on what you do to grow determination in your own life.