The Desire to Serve
HEADLINE STORY
Monday, October 27, 2003
GREENVILLE, SC - Since 1968, it has not been
the desire to lead, but the desire to serve that has
led men and women to the Board of Directors of Shannon
Forest Christian School (SFCS). That same desire has
led ten men and women to fill the seats of the 2003-2004
Board.
When asked why they chose, or felt led to serve, the
responses varied, but were one in the spirit and intent.
For the Chairman of the Board Scott Adams, it was the
desire to play an active role in equipping and challenging
our students to go out into the world to influence the
culture and society for Jesus Christ.
From Lt. to rt., back
row: Kip Miller, Chairman, Scott Adams,
Fred Grant, Martin Carter, Dr. James Langston, Doug
McLaughlin, Headmaster
Front row: Sheryl Farquhar, Cole
Holman, Caryn Berry
Not pictured: Steve Murphy, Lance
Owens |
Board member Sheryl Farquhar is determined to give
back to the source that nurtured her children as they
grew. Farquhar says, “Our youngest child graduated
from SFCS in 2000, but my passion for Christian education
didn’t stop. I know that SFCS was there for my
children out of the sacrifice and service of many people.”
She is also convinced that, “Christians must be
educated about their need for Christian education for
their children.” Farquhar knows first-hand in
that three of her children have experienced the blessings
of a consistent education from their home, school and
church environment.
Fred Grant initially chose to serve on the Board to
be involved in his children’s education. Grant
then realized, “I came to understand that a true
Christian education – as practiced at SFCS –
can be a life-long benefit to students.” He goes
on to say that, “The mission statement of SFCS
includes both academic excellence and spiritual development.
What a great combination!”
Martin Carter not only has three children enrolled
at SFCS, he is also a graduate of the school! “I
have a particular interest in ensuring that the character,
quality, direction and reputation of SFCS remain paramount,”
says Carter.
All of the Board members at SFCS are either members
of Shannon Forest Presbyterian Church (SFPC) or members
of one of the other 130 churches representing 20 denominations
of our school population. In addition, Board members
have demonstrated leadership and service to SFCS and
have a desire to champion Christian education. All members
serve a three-year term and may not serve more than
two consecutive terms.
Many may not know the exact role the Board serves in
the life of our school. The SFCS Board is involved in
the hiring and administrative oversight of the Headmaster,
Doug McLaughlin. They also establish the budget, tuition
and rules and regulations of the school. In addition,
the Board works to ensure the mission and vision of
SFCS is being upheld. The Board is also ultimately responsible
for the oversight of school organizations such as the
PTF and Booster Club, and they set qualifications for
and approve the hiring of faculty and administration.
They also oversee any necessary appeals process needed
for a breach of the school’s policies and procedures.
While the school is a ministry of SFPC, the school and
the church are separate legal organizations and the
Board is responsible for the administration of the affairs
of SFCS.
How do you blend ten different people with ten different
opinions to establish a future for our school? This
kind of guidance is simply made available to us through
the Grace of God. “SFCS has been gifted by God
with all the tools to take the ministry to new heights,
both academically and spiritually,” says Adams.
Farquhar strives for “a school that fully integrates
the Truth of God’s Word into every academic and
social venture.” She goes on to state that her
vision for SFCS is to be well respected, supported by
our community and to be a school that “challenges
the children of Greenville to examine all of life through
the grid of a Christian world view.”
Grant has visualized the school’s mission and
wants to see it fulfilled. “If we can provide
an atmosphere that promotes excellence in all things,
SFCS will grow beyond our expectations and be a wonderful,
spiritual, supportive oasis in a tumultuous world,”
says Grant.
Carter understands the importance of Christian education
from personal experience. “If the proper Biblical
groundwork is not laid early in a child’s life,
it will be more difficult to change later,” says
Carter. “My vision is to see SFCS be an institution
with a reputation for academic excellence and uncompromising
Biblical beliefs.” Carter also envisions a growth
in the areas of gifted and advanced classes and an increase
in the emphasis on math and science at all grade levels.
Expanding on this vision, Adams also noted that SFCS
is also committed to expanding the Discovery programs
and to providing specialized learning opportunities
across the entire spectrum of our school population.
Most importantly, the desire to serve SFCS is also
a commitment to serve Christian education around the
world. “As our culture becomes more and more hostile
to God’s Truth, more families will see their need
for Christian education,” says Farquhar. “It
can be as simple as prayer before class or as complicated
as contrasting Christian principles to judicial or legislative
actions,” says Grant. Carter adds that “Christian
Education will continue to provide a safe haven for
learning in a Christ centered atmosphere.” Adams
is certain that, “Christian education will flourish
in the future, and is indeed flourishing as a result
of a renewed commitment to a God-centered education
from Christians everywhere.”
SFCS plays a critical role in this commitment in that
the Christian school can provide “uncompromising
Christian education based on the dictates of scripture
and infallible Biblical Truths, rather than in a manner
prescribed by a government or other secular body,”
states Adams. “By totally disregarding fundamental
truth and the infallible Word of God set forth in the
Bible, our public schools have, as evidenced by such
incidents as Columbine, unfortunately led the march
down the road to social decay,” continues Adams.
Grant concludes that “SFCS just provides a consistent
message to all our students in a constructive manner.
We can only provide the message. God is there to touch
the hearts.”
And touch them He does. Each and every day on a campus
so full of energy, so full of life, so full of a vision
for the future…it’s no wonder those who
pass through the halls of SFCS enter the world equipped
and ready for the challenge to influence our world for
Jesus Christ.
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