A Community of Creators
If it wasn't already clear, last week's Harvest of Talents craft and bake sale revealed what a wide-ranging artistic community we have. Thank you all for sharing your creative gifts! Handmade berets, pillows, jewelry, wall-art, cosmetics, snacks, baked goods, wreaths, and even homemade Christmas trees -- a remarkable set of skills. And not surprisingly, most of the inventory was snatched up within a quick two hours, raising a total of $1,600 toward our Augustine Campaign.
God continues to grow our school in meaningful ways like this -- through both relationships and generous giving -- and as we approach Christmas and the end of our semester, let's pray for continued provision. To match our $30,000 grant, we must raise $12,750 in the next two weeks before December 17. Thank you for your generous gifts so far! Would you continue to consider who else might be interested in ACA's rich, biblical vision for education? Our vision-film is an excellent way to bless others outside our community, and to let them know what a great work we are doing for our children.
May we never forget God's power. He is loving, he is personally involved in each of our lives, and he will always bless us if we are faithful.
To Be Happy at Home
Thanksgiving is here at last. While few things compare to the glory of Christmas, Thanksgiving is a close second as far as I'm concerned, and I believe that's no mistake. Done right, giving thanks can't help but be potently meaningful down to our roots, or "in the deep heart's core," as Yeats said. I become more thoughtful at the beginning of the holiday season, as only seems natural, and given life's difficult obligations that we all share, I am glad to be forced into good solid rest. (Consuming a bird with soporific properties helps.) This reminds me of something C. S. Lewis said in his essay, "The Weight of Glory":
To be happy at home . . . is the end of all human endeavour. [We] must say that the sun looks down on nothing half so good as a household laughing together over a meal, or two friends talking over a pint of beer, or a man alone reading a book that interests him.
If we follow the argument all the way down to the end of the road, giving thanks is the whole point of life. Why are we educated? Why do we take degrees at the Ivies and nail down fast-paced jobs? Why do we bolster our LinkedIn connections and strategically restructure our financial portfolios? So that we can laugh together over a meal, take joy in our children, read a fat book, and drink in the gifts of life. So that we can give thanks, which is glorifying to God.
We breathe in, and so we must breathe out. We earn, and so we must spend. We gather up, and so we must scatter abroad. These are the God-given rhythms of life, and we are wise to follow them. As we celebrate Thanksgiving, may we set aside our work (and our homework) with peace and confidence. God is good, he holds out open hands of blessing to us, and asks us to eat.
Not Blind Lovers
"Love your enemies," Oscar Wilde once said. "Nothing annoys them so much."
Funny. But take a step back, outside the joke. If the motive is to annoy, it's not so much love at all, is it? Love takes on a cynical, underhanded role. Edgy and brooding. Like the oh-so-irresistible vampire Edward in Twilight.
Of course, this isn't love at all. God is Love (noun), and God loves perfectly (verb), but there are plenty of human perversions of love here on earth -- and this distinction is key for our students to get into their bones as they grow older and are exposed to more of the world.
On a human level, "to love" is not a universal good. "To hate" is not a universal evil. They are verbs, and their value depends on whatever direct objects they're attached to.
Experiment #1:
"I love my wife -- which is why I'm going to do the dishes for her, help with the kids, and buy her King Soopers flowers every other Tuesday."
"I love Fifty Shades of Grey, because I'm attracted to mysterious men whose passion for me makes them want to hurt me so bad."
Both people are loving something. And one of them has a problem that Jesus needs to fix.
Experiment #2:
"I hate her, you have no idea. Omg, she thinks she's so cute."
"I hate lies, I hate consuming lusts, and I pray that God would deliver me from their bondage."
Both people are hating something. And one of them is being godly about it.
As we teach our students at ACA, we want to show them how to make these kinds of basic distinctions. We want to show them how to love like God loves and hate what God hates. Every school subject is packed with controversy, and our children are constantly drawing conclusions about what to love and what to hate. We want them to be lovers -- because God is love -- but not blind lovers. Unless we are making constant, Scriptural distinctions both in the classroom and at home, our children will make no Scriptural decisions when they leave the home.
This, not that. Good, not evil. Sacrifice, not self-interest. Truth, not being cool. Joy, not sorrow.
And God will be faithful.
The Verse about Good Grades
One of the great comforts of Scripture are the verses that aren't in Scripture. For instance, I consider it a blessing that the Holy Ghost did not see fit to inspire the verse about getting good grades.
"Woe unto that child which getteth a C+, for it would be better that a millstone were tied around his neck . . . ."
Thankfully, we are called to excellence generally, and not to A-plusses in Social Studies specifically. God has made us all with different minds and different interests, and the simple fact of a C-grade, or even of an F (gasp), does not necessarily mean anything is wrong. (Often it does, as in the case of chronic Looking-Out-the-Window Syndrome -- a separate issue.) Human minds are different. House-rules are different. Our standards of excellence and hard work should be rooted in biblical truth -- but those standards have quite a lot of valid, reasonable, and varied out-workings.
Aim for the Ivies -- but remember that community college, or no college at all, is no crime. Encourage fast-lane jobs -- but remember that trade-work, home-making, and community service are equally noble, often far more so.
"The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof" (Ps. 24:1). Join me in being mighty thankful that, despite God's high and beautiful standards for us, he has little interest in the content of our report cards.
Matching Gift Challenge
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We’re excited to announce our first matching-grant initiative of The Augustine Campaign! A generous donor has offered $30,000 if we can raise $30,000 by the last day of this semester, December 17!
If your family or someone you know has been considering a one-time donation to the school, now is the perfect time to make that gift. Double your donation and support Denver’s only classical, Christian school serving preschool through high-school students!
Gifts can be made online or by check, delivered to the front office or mailed to:
The Augustine Campaign: Matching Gift Challenge Attn: Nate Ahern 480 S. Kipling St. Lakewood, CO 80226
Monthly donations made between now and December 17 count toward the matching gift challenge. The monies raised go toward The Augustine Campaign initiatives: general fund, tuition assistance, and classroom supplies.
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” – 1 Peter 4:10
Grace and peace, The ACA Board & Administration
P. S.: Does your employer match your donations to non-profits? Now’s a great time to find out!
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The Augustine Campaign
Augustine Classical Academy launched The Augustine Campaign on October 15, a focused effort to raise $600,000 over the next three years. In its first year, the campaign’s goal is to raise $175,000 to support the general fund, establish a robust tuition assistance program, and drive enrollment.
Why now? We’re at an exciting time in ACA’s life: With geographic stability, an exceptional staff, high-quality curriculum, and a clear vision for excellence, ACA is ready for the next step—which includes raising funds to catalyze growth. (Read more about why we fundraise.)
The Augustine Campaign comprises three important parts, each of which serves an important role:
Character Builders support the work of the school through recurring, monthly gifts. After a one-time set-up online, gifts—in an amount you designate—are charged to your credit card of choice once a month until you make a change. The benefits of this program are significant: Regular gifts enable us to budget wisely and save us from costly mailings and other fundraising expenses.
While we encourage all families to consider a monthly gift, we ask that you also share this opportunity to support your children’s school with your family and friends. (Don't forget to include the link to our Giving Page!)
Legacy Builders bless the school with major gifts in excess of $1,000 annually. Do you know someone who might consider supporting the distinctive, high-quality education available at ACA in this way? If so, please contact the Board of Directors at board@augustineclassical.org to discuss ways we can connect with these individuals.
Community Builders help extend ACA’s reach in the Denver area. We would love the opportunity to share our mission with your church’s leadership or family ministry team, your neighborhood or professional association, or any other group interested in helping families raising up a generation of bright, gracious leaders. Email board@augustineclassical.org to start the conversation!
As we launch this campaign—which is, of course, an act of faith—we remember that we serve a God of abundance, who gave nothing less than Himself for our good. Please join us in praying that God will do great things for His glory with all the gifts ACA receives.
Grace and peace
The ACA Board & Administration
Recitation Harvest
Our first Recitation is coming up on Thursday morning, October 15th, and I'd like to share with you briefly why I'm eager for this special event.
Recitation is fruit. It's a time of harvest. Our children have been serving hard time in the classroom working information into their minds, and now they get to work it out. They've been planting, watering, and growing seeds, and now they get to pick the fruit and hand it to you. And what gardener hasn't felt supreme satisfaction at harvest time? During Recitation, our children are rewarding us, but they are also rewarding themselves.
Of course, this is not their only harvest, not by a long shot. There are many more rows to hoe, much more knowledge and wisdom to gather. But this is still a time of celebration, and one that should not be minimized.
With this in mind, I encourage you all to come and see your children shine. And I encourage you to spread the joy and invite extended family and friends. This outpouring is so important for our kids. Recently in our Twitter feed, you may have read Brian Douglas' article about how "we ought not treat education like a simple input-output situation . . . [because] focusing on order becomes hazardous when it overtakes the joy of experiencing God’s grace." This is spot-on, and it's one of the reasons we want to spread the love and affirmation thick at times like this. Let's show our children that cold hard work is not the end of the story, and that we are mighty proud of their accomplishments and of the young men and women they are growing up to be. This is grace, this is the gospel, and our children need it desperately.
On Getting Fat (the right way)
One of the best ways for us to fail at anything is to treat it as a savior. We well-evolved Homo sapiens like to invest ourselves, body and soul, in the latest fad diets; every four years, we think that if the American people would just vote right, for that guy, we'd fix our nation's problems; and perhaps most often, we look for the perfect school for our kids. Insert child into building, dust off hands, and wait for a morally-upright Ivy-leaguer to pop out 12 years later. He'll probably be President some day. Perfect school, perfect kid. Nothing else I need to do.
Except not. Or put another way, nothing Homo sapient about it.
Classical Christian education did not die on the cross for our sins, and we shouldn't act like it has. Make no mistake, of course -- classical Christian education, of all the current educational models, is among the most brilliant, rich, time-tested, and culturally relevant. But a vending machine it ain't.
So what is the key to a successful school? A successful student? An interested, independent self-learner? As I mentioned at our recent Parent Info Night, the keys are twofold. First, there must be a reliance on Christ in all things, at school and in the home; and second, learning and excellence must be modeled in the home.
I'd like to briefly touch on what this second part looks like. In other words, how do we show our kids how? By jumping in, getting our hands dirty, and just doing it. Like this:
Develop copiousness. This is an overflow of knowledge (like a Thanksgiving cornucopia, which spills out gourds, squash, and fruit). Over a lifetime, you feed your mind just as regularly as you feed your body -- and soon, that knowledge (now wisdom) can't help but brim over. In other words, it's getting fat -- the right way.
Read good books. Usually, good books are the ones we don't want to read, because they're hard to get into. But stick with it. Peruse book lists you trust, or use the book lists on Augustine's website, and work your way through them.
Read lots of books. David Noebel, founder of Summit Ministries in Manitou Springs, has said that it's important to read a book a week. Of course, that's not even close to possible for many of us, but it's still worth pursuing. And just like muscular exercise, the more you read, the faster you get.
Read the Bible. Being steeped in Scripture is important for our sanctification, but also because Scripture is the most influential set of writings in history -- for literature, poetry, history, philosophy, culture, and theology.
Read aloud. Despite what it might seem, your kids will love this. They also need this. Many of the ancients would have been perplexed by our modern practice of reading silently. Words are inherently meant to be spoken -- and stories are brought into full richness and personality for children when they hear Mom and Pop tell them.
Listen to good music. Immerse yourselves, and your children, in the classical-music tradition. Pour on the folk songs, blues, jazz, and other genres you like. There's no lack of variety and richness. But there are standards to be set. What is God like? What is his world like? Mindless boom-box drivel, or Top-40 hits glorifying sex, greed, and death? Our kids are listening.
Sing. (Yikes.) Let me rephrase that: Sing out of tune. It may take some getting used to, and some pride-swallowing, but what better way to build family culture than to sing as a family? Everybody loves it when someone else is singing -- so why not be that someone-else for your kids? Hymns, folk-songs, and praise -- just let 'er rip.
Write. While "of the making of books there is no end" (Eccl. 12:12), the world could use a lot more of the right kinds of reading material. So keep a journal. Start a blog. Write little stories for your kids. Send letters to the editor. It isn't dumb -- but of course it isn't glamorous. We are people of the Book, and like the Holy Spirit, we should also write about what is good and true.
Memorize things. Scripture, poetry, and good quotes are the best choices. This habit, over a lifetime, will become a joy and consolation to you, in both the difficult and beautiful moments of life. It is never a waste of time; exactly the opposite. Plus, we make our kids do it.
Plod. You've just read a seemingly impractical set of to-do's. "Nice -- but yeah right." No problem, this is life. Plod. Take your time. Nobody is judging, nobody is watching. Go nice and slow, a few minutes a day snatched here and there. Get comfy with feeling inadequate and not understanding books and ideas. Our children feel the same way in school. But over time, when we look back, we're a fair piece down the road from where we started. We are growing, and we are thankful.
Grace and Peace, Nate Ahern
How to Show Our Kids How
One of the best ways for us to fail at anything is to treat it as a savior. We well-evolved Homo sapiens like to invest ourselves, body and soul, in the latest fad diets; every four years, we think that if the American people would just vote right, for that guy, we'd fix our nation's problems; and perhaps most often, we look for the perfect school for our kids. Insert child into building, dust off hands, and wait for a morally-upright Ivy-leaguer to pop out 12 years later. He'll probably be President some day. Perfect school, perfect kid. Nothing else I need to do. Except not. Or put another way, nothing Homo sapient about it.
Classical Christian education did not die on the cross for our sins, and we shouldn't act like it has. Make no mistake, of course -- classical Christian education, of all the current educational models, is among the most brilliant, rich, time-tested, and culturally relevant. But a vending machine it ain't.
So what is the key to a successful school? A successful student? An interested, independent self-learner? As I mentioned at our recent Parent Info Night, the keys are twofold. First, there must be a reliance on Christ in all things, at school and in the home; and second, learning and excellence must be modeled in the home.
I'd like to briefly touch on what this second part looks like. In other words, how do we show our kids how? By jumping in, getting our hands dirty, and just doing it. Like this:
Develop copiousness. This is an overflow of knowledge (like a Thanksgiving cornucopia, which spills out gourds, squash, and fruit). Over a lifetime, you feed your mind just as regularly as you feed your body -- and soon, that knowledge (now wisdom) can't help but brim over.
Read good books. Usually, good books are the ones we don't want to read, because they're hard to get into. But stick with it. Peruse book lists you trust, or use the book lists on Augustine's website, and work your way through them.
Read lots of books. David Noebel, founder of Summit Ministries in Manitou Springs, has said that it's important to read a book a week. Of course, that's not even close to possible for many of us, but it's still worth pursuing. And just like muscular exercise, the more you read, the faster you get.
Read the Bible. Being steeped in Scripture is important for our sanctification, but also because Scripture is the most influential set of writings in history -- for literature, poetry, history, philosophy, culture, and theology.
Read aloud. Despite what it might seem, your kids will love this. They also need this. Many of the ancients would have been perplexed by our modern practice of reading silently. Words are inherently meant to be spoken -- and stories are brought into full richness and personality for children when they hear Mom and Pop tell them.
Listen to good music. Immerse yourselves, and your children, in the classical-music tradition. Pour on the folk songs, blues, jazz, and other genres you like. There's no lack of variety and richness. But there are standards to be set. What is God like? What is his world like? Mindless boom-box drivel, or Top-40 hits glorifying sex, greed, and death? Our kids are listening.
Sing. (Yikes.) Let me rephrase that: Sing out of tune. It may take some getting used to, and some pride-swallowing, but what better way to build family culture than to sing as a family? Everybody loves it when someone else is singing -- so why not be that someone-else for your kids? Hymns, folk-songs, and praise -- just let 'er rip.
Write. While "of the making of books there is no end" (Eccl. 12:12), the world could use a lot more of the right kinds of reading material. So keep a journal. Start a blog. Write little stories for your kids. Send letters to the editor. It isn't dumb -- but of course it isn't glamorous. We are people of the Book, and like the Holy Spirit, we should also write about what is good and true.
Memorize things. Scripture, poetry, and good quotes are the best choices. This habit, over a lifetime, will become a joy and consolation to you, in both the difficult and beautiful moments of life. It is never a waste of time; exactly the opposite. Plus, we make our kids do it.
Plod. You've just read a seemingly impractical set of to-do's. "Nice -- but yeah right." No problem, this is life. Plod. Take your time. Nobody is judging, nobody is watching. Go nice and slow, a few minutes a day snatched here and there. Get comfy with feeling inadequate and not understanding books and ideas. Our children feel the same way in school. But over time, when we look back, we're a fair piece down the road from where we started. We are growing, and we are thankful.
Grace and Peace, Nate Ahern
Gorgons and Shining Shields
"All the men in history who have really done anything with the future," said Chesterton, "have had their eyes fixed upon the past."
An odd image. And Chesterton knew it: "Man is a misshapen monster, with his feet set forward and his face turned back. Tomorrow is the Gorgon; a man must only see it mirrored in the shining shield of yesterday. If he sees it directly he is turned to stone."
Now that I've confused everyone nicely, I'd like to point out what a beautiful truth this actually is, and how applicable to us. Chesterton compares the Future -- "Tomorrow" -- to the Gorgon, a foul and terrible monster from ancient Greece. As the story went, whoever looked at it would be immediately turned to stone. And as for killing it? Impossible.
That's until the hero Perseus came along, who carried a sword and a bright shield. As he approached the Gorgon, he held this shield over his shoulder, looking straight into it as he moved forward (thus averting his gaze from the monster), and killed it by looking at its reflection in the shield.
Here's Chesterton's point: Tomorrow turns us to stone, just like the Gorgon. The Future, stared at with fear and worry, disconnected from the Past and its stories of triumph, overcomes us completely. To build, to accomplish, and to grow, we need eyes ravenous for the truths and wisdom of the Past. We live in the Present and for the Future -- but our tools of trade are already at hand, and they are old and strong. Alone, the Future tempts us to fear. The Past is full of comfort, wise old men, and happily-ever-afters.
Let's go back to the top, to those who "do something with the future." Augustine Classical Academy is small and strong, but it must grow. The future is bright for our school, but there are many rows to hoe, many jobs to fill, and much money to be raised. ACA is uniquely poised for the future, and this necessarily means we are entering an important and sobering time of growth. Our gifts, like the proverbial talents, must be cared for and multiplied.
Now more than ever, we have an excellent facility, high-quality teachers, a growing staff, and a ripening set of programs and curricula. Our administrative systems and business structure continue to improve. We have made Lakewood our home and are well-positioned to put down influential roots in the community. And most important, we boast an academic program that aims to change hearts and minds for God's glory, and for our culture.
As members in this wonderful opportunity, I'd like to encourage us all to consider how we can tangibly promote the growth of Augustine Classical Academy for the sake of our children, and for future students.
Pray for ACA daily. Pray specifically that God would bless us financially, and that all gifts would be used for his glory.
Consider how you can uniquely give to ACA, whether through personal service or other donations.
Reflect on who you might share ACA's classical Christian vision with. We love our friends, and our friends will want to listen to what we love.
Pray that God will transform our school culture, the city of Lakewood, and the world at large through robust, Christ-centered education.
Thank you for loving your children, and for loving ACA. As ever, I am thankful to partner with you as we confidently apply God's faithfulness in the past to our plans for the future. The Lord is building this house, and we will not labor in vain.
Grace and Peace, Nate Ahern