If we assume that a Biblical Christian school operates as a learning community, then we conclude that students are not just the recipients of what the community has to offer; this would make them beneficiaries as opposed to members. Students need to understand that they are contributing participants.
It is always a good idea to have these discussions with families applying to be part of our school communities. We are able to outline why our school exists, articulate our desire to for a purpose that glorifies God and how that purpose leads to supporting family life which in turn helps families become engaged with the community.
It is also a good idea to have discussions with students, especially those who are entering middle school or above. My questions would frequently be:
“Why do you want to be part of the school community?”
“How do you think you will benefit from being part of the community?”
“What will you contribute to the community? In what ways will our community be enhanced by your presence within it?”
If we see Leadership as “taking the initiative to serve” – then every student has a leadership role in the community.
How can we develop this even further by assisting our students to be involved in leading in significant ways? How can we help them to see that some are given the gift of leadership and that when God gives gifts to people there is an expectation that they be used for His glory? How can we help them to develop healthy ideas about leadership? How can we help them to see that there are “good works that God has prepared in advance for them to do?”
The simple answer is through mentoring in addition to guided opportunities that are aiming for greater expectations in initiative.