The board of trust and I have been studying the Little Rock Christian DNA for the past year in order to gain a better understanding of our school culture. A clearer understanding of unique identity will keep us from mission drift. Along the way, we’ve referred to our DNA as the “Warrior Way.” This blog series is high altitude in order to capture a better visual of our school’s topography. To that end, the best place to start is the core of our being – what we believe about God.
I worship the Lord at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, an evangelical, Jesus-proclaiming community of believers affirming the authority of the Scriptures and the work of the Holy Spirit. I rejoice in the fact that the description of my church mirrors the description of our school.
I mention my church because our pastor, Sam Murrell, has been preaching from the letters of John. In the very first sermon of an extended series, Sam asserted confidently and loudly – “Doctrine matters.” It mattered to the early Church and it should matter to the 21st century Church.
We believe the same at Little Rock Christian Academy.
We are a mission-driven school. Our mission is clear. We are a learning community in pursuit of truth grounded in a biblical worldview.
Since 2007, we have defined a biblical worldview in two ways.
- Fundamentally, we claim an eight-point doctrinal statement that brings unity into the learning community. http://www.littlerockchristian.com/ourstory/foundations.aspx
- Within the tent of this common core of biblical definition, we work to honor the freedom of the believer and the local church. Our “three-tier” policy comes in very handy at this point.
- Tier one – our eight-point doctrinal statement of non-negotiable truths. Doctrinal alignment between the school and the home is a major component of our mission-based admission criteria. Key definitions of our school’s faith foundation include the inerrancy and completeness of the Old and New Testaments and the Trinitarian nature of God.
- Tier two – denominational and theological differences within the boundaries of historic, orthodox Christianity. Diversity of thinking and practice in these things are respected and good. Examples of this are: election, free will, baptism, eternal security, Lordship salvation, etc. etc. The Church has experienced robust dialogue on these elements of faith from the beginning. Different points of view abound. Critical thinking is an important life skill and this is a good place to put it to work.
- Tier three – local church practices that are a matter of preference, taste, tradition and conviction. Diversity of practice in this area is honored and good. Examples of this are: vestments, the Lord’s Supper, music, gifts of the Holy Spirit and leadership. Local church differences add color to the Body of Christ and allow the gospel to relate to people in diverse ways.
The bottom line to all this theological drumming is actually quite liberating. Our school motto is crisp: “Christian, Independent, Collegiate.” The word “Christian” may mean different things to different people. To clarify what our school means by the word “Christian” reduces confusion. When we speak of a “Christian worldview,” it is helpful to explain how our school stands firm on the basics and encourages critical thinking on the auxiliary issues.
We delight in the non-denominational nature of our school community. With over one hundred (100) churches represented in our student body, there is a freedom to wrestle with different points of view and to accommodate different church traditions, recognizing the value of a diverse weave of orthodox faith in the crucible of lifelong learning.
So, when your son or daughter wonders if its predestination or free will, we are eager to ask: “What do you think Scripture teaches? What do your parents think? What does your church say?” Then, we invite the student to prayerfully come to their own conclusion.
The same is true for creation days, baptism, spiritual gifts, the Sabbath and more. In each issue within tiers two and three, the freedom of the believer is held in the highest regard. The result is a mature, seasoned, personal faith that will rise up and stand the test of time.
Gary B. Arnold
Head of School