Are Christian Schools Really Christian? February 18, 2025

If you work or lead at a Christian school, it might feel like a given that Christ is at the center of every conversation—whether between faculty and students, in classrooms, or even in online courses. After all, the mission is clear, right? We're a faith-based institution, and that should naturally flow into everything we do. But here’s the thing: even with the best intentions, the demands of academics and administration can sometimes push faith integration to the side. 

The truth is, integrating faith into education doesn’t happen automatically just because we work in a Christian environment. It takes intentionality, practical strategies, and sometimes even training. Not every educator arrives equipped to naturally weave biblical perspectives into their lectures, discussions, and problem-solving activities. And without guidance, it can easily become an afterthought, leading to an inconsistent faith experience across campus. Just because the university is Christian doesn't mean every classroom feels that way to students. 

This is why I’ve made it a priority to focus on our school’s mission as the foundation for true faith integration. But it goes beyond just setting goals—it means offering our faculty the resources, support, and training they need to bring biblical principles to life in the classroom. The Christian university experience should feel distinctly different from a secular one. Students need to see faith in action, and faculty are key players in that mission. In fact, I often think of our faculty as frontline spiritual leaders, given the amount of time they spend with students each week. 

So how do we, as leaders, actively foster faith integration? It starts with intentionality. From administrators to faculty, we need to create deliberate opportunities to discuss and apply biblical principles in the classroom, in meetings, and in everyday decision-making. Here’s how we’ve been working on it: 

1. Communicate the Mission—Constantly 

At every faculty and program director meeting, we begin by reviewing our school’s mission. I love to use a simple Venn Diagram to show how the mission isn’t just something we say—it’s something that guides my decision-making in every area. And that mission isn’t just about our students; it’s for faculty too. I encourage faculty to think about how they can lead and serve students with Christ-like leadership, and we regularly discuss how they are integrating faith into their teaching. 

2. Align Assessments with the Mission 

We challenge our faculty to integrate the school’s mission into their course assessments. For example, our Educational Leadership faculty uses the mission as a benchmark in their evaluation rubrics to see how well students are grasping and internalizing a biblical worldview. Preparing future school principals means teaching them how to think critically, lead with integrity, and apply their faith to real-world challenges. 

3. Set Clear Expectations for Faculty-Student Relationships 

One of our core values is that faculty should model Christ-like behavior in all interactions with students. This means showing dignity, speaking truth in love, and supporting both academic and spiritual growth. I address these expectations with students as well, particularly in my Dean’s Meetings, where we discuss how they can live out the mission in their own lives and interactions with each other. 

4. Build Accountability into Faculty Reviews 

Our mission is front and center during faculty performance reviews. We evaluate not just academic achievements, but also how well faculty are integrating the mission into their teaching and relationships with students. Faculty set yearly goals aligned with our mission, and these are revisited during their evaluations. Self-assessments, peer feedback, and student evaluations all contribute to this process. 

5. Foster a Culture of Prayer and Growth 

We’ve established a few practices that help keep our community spiritually connected. Every Monday morning, our faculty gathers for “Connections,” a brief 15-minute prayer session where we share requests and pray together. Additionally, we host a monthly “Gathering” centered around a university-wide common read. Faculty take turns leading discussions and sharing their insights, helping us grow together as a community of believers. 

By focusing on these areas, we’re ensuring that our faculty aren’t just teaching course content—they’re modeling Christian leadership. And through that, we’re equipping our students to go into the world and lead with the values of faith, wisdom, and service. It’s a powerful reminder that faith integration doesn’t just happen on its own—it takes intentional, consistent effort. But when done well, it transforms the way we educate and the way our students live out their faith. 

Faith is meant to be lived, not just spoken about—and at a Christian university, it’s our job to model that daily. With the right mindset, training, and accountability, we can keep Christ at the center of everything we do, shaping both minds and hearts for God’s kingdom. 

If you work or lead at a Christian school, it might feel like a given that Christ is at the center of every conversation—whether between faculty and students, in classrooms, or even in online courses. After all, the mission is clear, right? We're a faith-based institution, and that should naturally flow into everything we do. But here’s the thing: even with the best intentions, the demands of academics and administration can sometimes push faith integration to the side. 

The truth is, integrating faith into education doesn’t happen automatically just because we work in a Christian environment. It takes intentionality, practical strategies, and sometimes even training. Not every educator arrives equipped to naturally weave biblical perspectives into their lectures, discussions, and problem-solving activities. And without guidance, it can easily become an afterthought, leading to an inconsistent faith experience across campus. Just because the university is Christian doesn't mean every classroom feels that way to students. 

This is why I’ve made it a priority to focus on our school’s mission as the foundation for true faith integration. But it goes beyond just setting goals—it means offering our faculty the resources, support, and training they need to bring biblical principles to life in the classroom. The Christian university experience should feel distinctly different from a secular one. Students need to see faith in action, and faculty are key players in that mission. In fact, I often think of our faculty as frontline spiritual leaders, given the amount of time they spend with students each week. 

So how do we, as leaders, actively foster faith integration? It starts with intentionality. From administrators to faculty, we need to create deliberate opportunities to discuss and apply biblical principles in the classroom, in meetings, and in everyday decision-making. Here’s how we’ve been working on it: 

1. Communicate the Mission—Constantly 

At every faculty and program director meeting, we begin by reviewing our school’s mission. I love to use a simple Venn Diagram to show how the mission isn’t just something we say—it’s something that guides my decision-making in every area. And that mission isn’t just about our students; it’s for faculty too. I encourage faculty to think about how they can lead and serve students with Christ-like leadership, and we regularly discuss how they are integrating faith into their teaching. 

2. Align Assessments with the Mission 

We challenge our faculty to integrate the school’s mission into their course assessments. For example, our Educational Leadership faculty uses the mission as a benchmark in their evaluation rubrics to see how well students are grasping and internalizing a biblical worldview. Preparing future school principals means teaching them how to think critically, lead with integrity, and apply their faith to real-world challenges. 

3. Set Clear Expectations for Faculty-Student Relationships 

One of our core values is that faculty should model Christ-like behavior in all interactions with students. This means showing dignity, speaking truth in love, and supporting both academic and spiritual growth. I address these expectations with students as well, particularly in my Dean’s Meetings, where we discuss how they can live out the mission in their own lives and interactions with each other. 

4. Build Accountability into Faculty Reviews 

Our mission is front and center during faculty performance reviews. We evaluate not just academic achievements, but also how well faculty are integrating the mission into their teaching and relationships with students. Faculty set yearly goals aligned with our mission, and these are revisited during their evaluations. Self-assessments, peer feedback, and student evaluations all contribute to this process. 

5. Foster a Culture of Prayer and Growth 

We’ve established a few practices that help keep our community spiritually connected. Every Monday morning, our faculty gathers for “Connections,” a brief 15-minute prayer session where we share requests and pray together. Additionally, we host a monthly “Gathering” centered around a university-wide common read. Faculty take turns leading discussions and sharing their insights, helping us grow together as a community of believers. 

By focusing on these areas, we’re ensuring that our faculty aren’t just teaching course content—they’re modeling Christian leadership. And through that, we’re equipping our students to go into the world and lead with the values of faith, wisdom, and service. It’s a powerful reminder that faith integration doesn’t just happen on its own—it takes intentional, consistent effort. But when done well, it transforms the way we educate and the way our students live out their faith. 

Faith is meant to be lived, not just spoken about—and at a Christian university, it’s our job to model that daily. With the right mindset, training, and accountability, we can keep Christ at the center of everything we do, shaping both minds and hearts for God’s kingdom.