IV Christ-Centered Education Forum:
Strong Roots and Wings to Fly
(Toward a Network of Educational Collaboration)
The IV Christ-Centered Education Forum, held in Madrid under the theme “Strong Roots and Wings to Fly,” brought together educators, Christian leaders, and entrepreneurs focused on integrating faith into education. Organized by the Association of Christian Schools in Spain (CSS), the forum provided a space to reflect on the challenges and opportunities of Christ-centered education in the country, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among institutions.
Over two days, participants explored key topics such as the philosophy of Christ-centered education, the development of a biblical worldview, and the legal challenges in Spain. Speakers, including Scot Musser, Carol Paige, Luc Bussiere and Ruth Álvarez Muñoz Caballero, offered insights and experiences that resonated with attendees, who discussed the role of faith in the educational process and its impact on student formation.
Education and Neutrality Paul Madsen addressed the myth of neutrality in education, arguing that every worldview, including secular perspectives, conveys values and principles that shape young people. He highlighted the importance of an education that supports identity formation rooted in faith.
Biblical Worldview Carol Paige spoke on integrating a biblical worldview in the classroom, promoting an education that not only teaches academic content but also Christian principles, helping students view the world through a biblical lens.
Legal Framework Ruth Álvarez, a lawyer and expert in education, provided an overview of Spain’s legal framework and the challenges facing Christian schools. She emphasized the need to understand rights and obligations to maintain an education that remains true to its principles.
Challenges and Next Steps The forum underscored the importance of developing committed professionals, cultivating educational leaders, and establishing prayer meetings among institutions. ACSI certification was recognized as an international endorsement that promotes standards of quality and Christian commitment.
Networking and Collaboration Laci Demeter, president of ACSI Europe, highlighted the value of networking, and the forum concluded with the creation of a WhatsApp community to maintain collaboration and communication among institutions. This forum represents a step toward strengthening Christ-centered education in Spain, creating a network that fosters unity and embodies a vision of “strong roots and wings to fly.”
Read the complete report in PDF (in Spanish), written by Óscar Mesanza Jaldo.
Strengthening Critical Thinking
Christian schools are often intentional about teaching worldview and preparing students to engage with competing ideas. Yet the way we structure this engagement can either nurture deep critical thinking or unintentionally foster shallow habits of argument. Here are some practical tools to support critial thinking in the classroom.
Education as a Restoration of Hope
Today we turn to the good news: God’s plan of restoration through Christ. This is not only a personal hope but also a framework for how we think about education, leadership, and the shaping of society. How can we build meaningful outcomes into the process of teaching and learning which truly reflect the hope we have in Christ?
Recognizing the Problem of Sin
The foundational, yet often overlooked, reality is the way sin impacts both teaching and learning. As school leaders, we cannot view education merely as the transfer of knowledge or the development of skills. Education is always moral and spiritual, shaped either by truth that comes from God or by distortions introduced by sin.
ACSI Europe Online Prayer
Join Christian school leaders from across the Europe region for a time of prayer, fellowship and encouragement. This group meets on Zoom the 2nd Thursday each month at 13:00 CET to focus our attention on God's presence and provision for His work through global Christian education.
