For Christians in today’s highlight competitive, challenging and often confrontational educational environment, to live out one’s faith in these unique times can be quite counter-cultural. One must not be naive to the difficulties one will face as a Christian educator today. As a starting point, one must be personally transformed in their faith, actively reflect who they are as Christians, find scripture as inspiration and establish a strong foundation of belief leading to action. Engaging a wise mentor, who will support and sustain one’s faith dimension within the context of their unique work, is vital. As Christians, we have a higher purpose in our work, in our obligations to society and in our future “reward system.” We operate as part of the kingdom of God and it governs the ideals we commit our lives. As the article states, “Christian faith has and will continue to bring purpose and coherence to leadership.” One must not leave their faith “at home” but rather what we know as theory we can live out in practice by bringing living hope to individuals (child by child, parent by parent, person by person) and communities (schools, universities, seminars). One can live out these Christian principles through the framework outlined by Schluter and Lee in a relational proximity frame work–“directness of communication, continuity of story, multiplexity of information, parity of power and commonality of purpose” (Schuluter and Lee 2009). Our faith and belief system gives us the drive and purpose in living these out.

Having boundaries is a key tool for Christians to navigate their educational leadership roles and keep their sanity! As Christian leaders, we can model healthy boundaries and give guidance to protecting children, responding to risk and ethically resolving complicated issues. Living out one’s Christian beliefs is counter-cultural in our very divisive world by giving priority to coalition building, partnership working and reconciliation and displaying the character of Jesus. Having the ability to masterfully and skillfully provide “translation and negotiation” in the midst of very contentious and personally antagonizing issues can align with “blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Having a focus of continuous learning and adapting, listening to the leading of God’s Spirit can display the character of God (being salt and light) in an often harsh environment of engaging truth with power. The ability to speak the truth, in love, to power can provide an amazing opportunity for Christians to display and model the kingdom of God to a very dark world. Advocating and modeling Christian principles is transformational. It can bring action and advocacy to changing lives and communities for the better. “Christian leaders in education should be ready to live and speak the truth with boldness, love and integrity but recognize the risks” (Cracknell, 237). We are always growing and never staying the same. Our Christian faith provides us a core belief system to shape our world view, boundaries to know where our role is, a depth of integrity to provide light to decisions and a calling as part of the kingdom of God to display grace, mercy and forgiveness when we are mistreated.