LEADING the JOURNEY An E-newsletter on EXCELLENCE in Leadership A PUBLICATION OF THE NORTH AMERICAN DIVISION August 2017 Vol. 6 No. 1 THE JOYS OF THE PRINCIPALSHIP Steven Baughman, Principal,

“There are no posts of honor but only of SERVICE.” – W.A. Spicer, GC President 1922-1930 Being a Seventh-day Adventist school importance of the role a principal plays principal is an awesome opportunity as the leader of a school cannot be and responsibility to serve God, overstated or underestimated. It is a Newsletter Coordinator change lives, and further the mission of position that must be approached Steven Baughman the world church. Although there are prayerfully, purposefully, and with Principal Indiana Academy many things that are asked of school continually renewed commitment to principals that can seem overwhelming excellence. at times, ultimately, it is a position that Much is asked of Seventh-day can strengthen an individual’s personal Newsletter Editors Adventist principals. To some extent walk with Christ while being incredibly Berit von Pohle they are expected to be a school’s professionally rewarding. Those who Pacific Union Conference curricular expert, facilities manager, assume this role and responsibility are Director of Education mental health therapist, chief financial Editor to be affirmed for their commitment and officer, records keeper, community dedication to such a worthy cause. Ed Boyatt liaison, spiritual leader, and educational Editorial Advisor There are few other positions in the visionary. The Principals’ Handbook is Seventh-day Adventist Church that intended to be a helpful resource for allow an individual to have such a wide those who have answered the call to -ranging impact as that of school mission as a Seventh-day Adventist principal. From the influence a principal principal. It offers suggestive guidance has on the individual students, faculty, and support on some of the critical and staff of a given school to the issues that a principal will eventually “A knowledge broader impact a vibrant school can encounter in the position. of God is the have on the greater community, the [email protected] foundation of all true JOYS OF take a phone call from a yelling parent. education and It is completely understandable that ADMINISTRATION there is a shortage of administrators of all true and that so few stay in any position for James Davis, Principal, Battle Creek Academy very long. Yet, despite these negative SERVICE.” If you are like me, it is very difficult to aspects, there can be great joy in – EG White, plan your day. My average day seems administration. It is vital that we take to be a series of interruptions. It is not time to reflect on and to cherish the Ministry of uncommon to be needed in two joys of administration. different parts of the building at the Healing p. 409. There is joy in seeing others succeed. same time. To have someone stop by It is a great feeling to see a difficult and need to talk while trying to finish student make great strides and last minute reports for the Union or become a leader on campus. To steer NAD Principals’ Handbook Conference. To open an irate email or Continued on page 2

MISSION: STRENGTHENING ADVENTIST EDUCATION ONE LEADER AT A TIME a new teacher and watch as are being used by God to they gain confidence, develop further His work. There are a MY CALLING their classroom management lot of things that we could do Joel Bennett, Principal skills, and become quality that would be less stressful and Cicero Adventist Elementary School teachers. pay more. But, if God has called you to administration, I was never going to be an It is very rewarding to facilitate the greatest joy is following His administrator; however, it is interesting healing in broken situations. call and letting Him use you to to reflect on the invitation of God to that There is joy to be had in taking impact those we are called to leadership role. the phone call from a yelling lead. As John the Baptist said, parent, hearing them out, I saw God for myself as a freshman in “He must increase, but I must resolving the situation, and academy. As a 16-year-old, I was decrease.” (John 3:30 KJV) ending the call with prayer. blown away by the reality that God Putting self aside and letting There is great fulfillment in was in direct contact with me! This Christ use us to grow His mediating disagreements amazing God was no longer the God of kingdom is very humbling between staff members, my parents, pastor, pathfinder leaders, and extremely rewarding. teachers and students, and or my teachers. He made His presence This is the joy of helping them to find resolution. known in group prayer times. He administration. revealed His presence during At the end of the day, the [email protected] studies that I was trained to lead. He greatest joy is to know that you showed up in my heart when I had believed, yet, before I had tasted that the Lord was good. How sweet that me of the real reason we experience continues to be! How NOT JUST A TASK serve. Burney Culpepper, Principal amazing that the Sustainer of the Mount Pisgah Academy He reminds me of the teenage Universe would make His home in me! student who connects with a He made it possible to follow Him! During a trip from Colorado, I local child on the school Six years later, I noticed the deep, was driving through Missouri mission trip. I remember the powerful, transformative calling of thinking about the task of being tears shed between the two as a principal. I have often asked Seventh-day Adventist Christian they said goodbye. Life myself what is it that ever Education. While wrestling with the changing impact. There are the convinced me that being a question, “How do we increase the days of high stress when I walk probability our students will be rooted in principal was smart or even into my office and find pertinent to my future the transformative power of direct handmade cards taking up happiness. Often, I focus on contact with Jesus Christ?” I was aware every space on my desk. Or that He was again transforming lives. the trials, and there are plenty the times that students crowd Trevor, Zoe, Maya, Gavin, Elise, to go around, that seem to around me vying for the Lauren, Greg, Mitchel, and many more plague the life of a principal. I opportunity to tell the stories of affirm my belief that Jesus has called could write about the irate their day. Life changing me to school leadership to pursue His parents who sit in my office interactions. I am shown the presence. What a blessing to focus and vent their frustrations at plans that were implemented discussions with colleagues, parents, any number of issues they through cooperation of the staff and students around the high goal of deem important. We could and parents. There are tears in reflecting the Creator through discuss the students who do the eyes of the parent as we transformation. What a gift to not seem to understand the talk about the impact to their reevaluate our hearts through staff and importance of education to child. Life changing school board prayer! As a building their future success. We could relationships. talk about the heartbreak that leader I find the greatest joy building staff feel at the choices our A task? No, I have been gently a team that strives toward making students invariably make. The reminded of our calling to build the reality of the transformative broken homes, sickness, and relationships that will power of direct contact with Jesus a pain that dictate how our ultimately end in changing regular, sustained opportunity for all students relate to the church the lives of those to whom of the students we minister to. Thank and the school. This is when we minister. You, Jesus, for Your resurrection power our loving God takes time to [email protected] and the amazing gift to partner with come and patiently remind You! [email protected]

JOIN THE JOURNEY EMAIL: [email protected] VISIT: WWW.LEADINGTHEJOURNEY.ORG