Discipleship

The relationship between the student and the teacher, coach, or administrator is a critical factor in learning.  They set an example for the student and encourage students to go beyond simply comprehending a religious concept to seeing, thinking, and living in light of God's Word.  Such growth can happen in the process of thinking critically, honing sports and teamwork skills, and performing creatively.

WCS believes that the power of the gospel is transformational through authentic relationships.  Authentic relationships are those that are rooted in what we are in Christ (justified), rather that in what we do (self-righteous).  True religion results from an authentic relationship with God through Jesus Christ and proceeds from the heart.

In essence, the educator is a curriculum, a living curriculum.  All other materials are supplemental.  Textbooks, musical scores, athletic equipment, scripts, and other resources are materials that assist and provide accountability to the learning process.

The school applies loving discipline when necessary.  Fundamental to the proper application of Biblical discipline is the solidarity and support of parents throughout the process.  We do not require a confession of faith from the student, but for the health of the community, we expect all admitted students to indicate a willingness to 1) submit to the authority of school personnel to engage in discipline based on Biblical guidelines, 2) receive Biblical instruction with an open mind, and 3) conduct themselves (both in and out of school) in a manner consistent with school policies regarding appropriate behavior.

Should a student act inappropriately, we view discipline as part of discipleship.  The aim of discipleship is always the transformation of the heart because it is from the heart that our actions flow (Proverbs 4:23).  Through the redemptive work of Christ alone, the children of God have been forgiven freely and unconditionally.  Our confession of sin is therefore an act of freedom as God is faithful to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (Romans 8:1).

Discipline is a relational process where faculty and administration humbly engage the student in the repentance and restoration process.  As God's image bearer, fallen in sin and redeemed in Christ, each student is disciplined on a case by case basis.  Every effort is made to address the heart of the student and the situation.  Faculty and administration pray for discernment that comes only from God (Proverbs 2:6) as we evaluate a variety of factors to determine the degree of foolishness, recalcitrance, confession, and repentance in students requiring discipline.  We also hold to the reality that God has called us into community and our actions are not our own.  Our sin defames the name of Christ, and therefore, adversely influences the community.

The natural consequences of sin are often difficult and painful (Hebrews 12:6) and unique to each situation.  Because it is the heart of the student we are seeking to shape, the consequences of actions may be different even for students involved in the same circumstance.  This process is complicated and imperfect, but its goal is always to teach and to restore the student to a right relationship with God and the community (Galatians 6:1).

Various situations arise in the life of the school that make it necessary and desirable to contact church leadership, since church leadership has the primary responsibility for the spiritual care of its members.  A strong relationship between a family, school, and the local church is integral to a child's spiritual development (I Peter 5:1-3; Hebrews 13:17).