2025 Francophone Christian School Principals and Administrators Seminar

25/08/2025 |  

We are pleased to confirm the next Seminar for Directors and Board Members of French-speaking Christian Schools (in Europe), notably at the Porte Ouverte in Chalon-sur-Saône, from October 17 to 19, 2025.

The keynote speaker will be Wayne Lynch, an expert in the management and financial development of private Christian schools since 1975, both in the United States and internationally. He spent 11 years in the Dominican Republic and Ukraine, and has visited and advised numerous private Christian school administrators on four continents. His expertise and recommendations are equally applicable to French-speaking schools. In these times of financial crisis, his recommendations are welcome. (See the brochure for more details.)

The following topics were addressed by Mr. Lynch and other speakers:

• A look back at the foundations of our schools
• The priority of strategic planning
• Financial planning and strategic fundraising
• Discussions on the landscape of Christian schools and reflection on the spiritual dimension
• Analysis of practices around daily challenges
• How to start the "Wonderfully Made ©" program
• ü An evening of information, sharing, and prayer, and fellowship worship.

Presentation of the theme

"Let’s revisit the foundations of our schools and consolidate the pillars of their sustainability"

Many schools have reached or passed the 20, 30, or 40-year mark. But it's clear that despite decades of operation, the majority of them face tight budgets, and schools regularly close suddenly, often due to a lack of sufficient funding. However, there are principles and policies that allow for a sustainable future and development. Our expert will invite us to examine and apply rules that have proven effective here and elsewhere. On the other hand, given the evolution of society and new generations of students, some schools are tempted to dilute their Christian specificity and adapt to a predominantly non-Christian audience. Should we change our strategy from our beginnings?

The objectives of this meeting are to revisit several fundamentals and question some current practices in our schools, but also to learn how to have balanced and healthy budgets and finances, in order to plan for greater sustainability.

Principals, both old and new, need to come together for meetings of fellowship, training, information, and sharing. Everyone is welcome!

General Assembly: Every three years, ACSI-Francophonie organizes a General Assembly open to all member schools and visitors. Sunday, October 19, 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.

Practical Information

• Dates: from Friday 17 (6 p.m.) to Sunday 19 October 2025 (1 p.m. or 4 p.m. with the G.A.)
• Registration deadline: September 30, 2025
• Location: La Porte Ouverte - 5, rue de la Saône 71100 Lux - Chalon-sur-Saône
• Conference Center Info: www.la-porte-ouverte.net

Registration closes on September 30!

Notre dépliant à télécharger

Our downloadable leaflet will allow you to know everything about the seminar,
and also to register by email or by post.

Accommodation options

• Member school: Room with 2-4 beds: €195 / Couple: €300 / Single: €221 (very limited)
• Non-member: Room with 2-4 beds: €235 / Couple: €330 / Single: €261 (very limited)
• Team discounts:  €20 (2 people) / €40 (3 people)

Please note: Participation in this seminar allows for the realization of certain indicators linked to the Christian School Improvement Platform, the CSIP. The indicators concerned are as follows: