Thyra Cameron and James Swezey, of Liberty University, followed up their previous article with their latest entry, Educating in the Spirit: An Examination of the Person and Role of the Holy Spirit in Christian School Education (Part 2). In this continued examination, they interact with the vision statement and staff of two individual schools. Their observations spanned the spectrum of dependence upon, and leadership by, the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, they reach the conclusion that "The main thing for Christian schools is that they transform all they teach to cause truth to become meaningful and experientially real." (p. 15). However, the most worthwhile contribution was that of their recommendations for those desiring to expand their dependence upon the Holy Spirit and demonstrate a greater faithfulness to the third person of the Triune Godhead.
First, the authors provide a few items that may allow an institution to know where, if any, shortcomings exist in dependence upon God’s Spirit. Their observed shortcomings include the following:
- Basic ignorance over the role that the Holy Spirit wishes to play
- A theological perspective that downplays the presence/work of the Holy Spirit
- Relegated to praxis alone (while the theory is present, its application is not)
In lieu of these overlooked areas, Cameron and Swezey suggest an examination of “the school’s vision and mission statement, curricula, management of school life, approach to discipline and counseling, staff management, and development” (p. 15). This allows the educator to note areas that may demonstrate either a strength or weakness in the presence of God’s special leadership. The authors also include that "deliberate attention needs to be given to developing the relationship between each member of staff with the Holy Spirit" (p. 16). This is a key element that cannot be manufactured but comes only out of a life that is spent in continual fellowship with God.
No matter where we fall on the spectrum of theological perspective or praxis, we know that God will entirely fill those places where He is permitted. Let’s ask Him to interrupt our daily routines for the sake of building His kingdom in the lives of those with whom we interact!