One of the main purposes of Christian education is to call people into relationships with one another so that they might experience the diversity of God's family.

That was part of the message Dr. Jim Drexler, Ph.D., M.Ed., M.Div., delivered to the Palmetto Christian Academy of Greenwood school board, faculty and parents during a special visit in January.

Drexler, who is Dean of Social Sciences and Master of Education

Program at Covenant College in Georgia, has written numerous

publications and books about the importance of a Christian education.

For a biography, list of publications or to listen to Drexler’s podcasts,

visit this link.

Drexler told PCAG that a Christian school should operate with meekness and

humility, demonstrate love through devotion to people, and be rooted in
God's grace. Drexler says Christians often find themselves swimming against
the current, and that God calls us into relationships - not individualism -- so
that we might work together for His glory.

While becoming a Christian is an individual decision, once a person does, Drexler says he or she needs to find a community where they can grow in Christ and be justified through faith.

Drexler challenged educators to make sure they send the right message about faith to students. He said good works alone do not bring God's grace.

This has a practical purpose in discipline, Drexler says. He said teachers should focus more on what kids do right than what they do wrong. They should practice ways to demonstrate compassion; and, that in a Christian community, there is plenty of diversity.

Christians should understand that the community we live in provides various gifts and abilities, and it's our job to tap into those. Teachers should spend less time punishing students who do wrong and find ways to bring them back into God's Grace, Drexler said.

Teachers also should recognize the different ways students learn and not expect them all to fit into a standardized learning formula. Drexler suggests that the aim of Christian education is to enable students to learn about Jesus and be equipped to be effective disciples to take the Gospel into the world.

Palmetto Christian Academy's mission is to provide an environment of academic excellence and Christian nurture to prepare students for godly living.

The school’s vision is to join with parents to prepare its students spiritually, academically, socially, and physically so they may make a positive impact for Christ wherever God calls them.

Drexler said educators must focus on "drawing out" learning from students by drawing them into discovery of truth, knowledge and skills, while also integrating Scriptural truths.

He said parents should not just drop their kids off at a Christian school for the purpose of sheltering them from what they perceive to be a scary world. Sin is sin, and it can happen in any school -- public, private or Christian private. He said it is naïve to think of a Christian school as a shelter from the evils of the world; however, a Christian school can provide a supportive network that can help a student grow in their walk with Christ and see the world through a biblical viewpoint.

Drexler said that Christian schools should examine their structure and make sure they are consistent with biblical teaching. He said the word of God should be the foundation of all learning.