Inspiration for the Second Half of the School Year
It should not be lost on us that soon after the pageantry, heavenly light show, and angelic appearances at Jesus’ birth, he and his parents were running for their lives. The reality of the Christmas story is that although the majesty of Heaven broke through the mundane in Bethlehem, the first century, socio-political evildoings did not go away. King Herod and his minions were quick to try to snuff out this so-called threat to his kingdom. Consequently, Joseph and Mary were forced to flee to Egypt and start their family as refugees.
Now, before you say: “c’mon Konjoyan, let me bask in the glow of the holidays, just a bit longer”. Despite its ominous beginning, this message is meant to help you lead with renewal and hope in the new year. You see, I think that the early January restart to school can be a tough one. Some of us got used to sleeping in or at least taking an afternoon-long winter’s nap during our two weeks of bliss. Others of us were just healing from that difficult parent interaction or that nasty employee meeting. All of us know that the school year is only at halftime, and more challenges are sure to come.
So, how do we buckle up the chinstrap, reset the early morning alarm clock, and put on our perma-grin for the first week of school? Let’s go back to the Christmas story for inspiration.
In Matthew 2:13, an angel comes to Joseph in a dream, warning him to flee to Egypt. This life-saving warning, travel itinerary, and intimate promise to “stay there until I tell you” was surely a surprise to Joseph and Mary, but Matthew doesn’t record any skepticism in their reply. Instead, he and Mary got up and went. Perhaps you are unaware of the challenges coming your way this month. Can we trust that our all-knowing God will send His angels to us in subtle ways to give us the information we need to make the right decision or act on the right strategy? And, can we commit to follow His still-small voice and receive the promise that we will continue to walk with us until “I tell you”?
Haven’t you ever wondered why the Magi brought expensive, but seemingly impractical gifts to Mary and Joseph? I mean, wouldn’t a nice, shiny, new donkey have been a more useful gift than some perfume and spices? However, if we consider the above warning from the angel, and the need to escape to another country without any of the belongings they had left in their home in Nazareth, then we can come to appreciate these very tradeable and easy to transport treasures. Did God place a star in the sky and send the Magi from the east with exactly the resources the young couple would need to flee to Egypt? We don’t know for sure, but it sure sounds like something our all-loving God would do for His son and for us. So, what are the treasures you received recently that will bless you in your journey? If we look closely enough, might we find that God gave us a surprising gift that can be turned into exactly what we need to lead our schools well this semester?
Finally, and this may be the most difficult to digest morsel of the Christmas banquet. In Chapter 1 of Matthew’s account, Joseph has just learned that his young fiancée is pregnant, and more importantly, not by him. Verse 19 states: “Joseph was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace; he had in mind to divorce her quietly.” Sounds like a strategy of a respectable Head of a Christian school, doesn’t it? But, an angel came and changed Joseph’s mind. Ironically telling Joseph that this baby, conceived in a hard-to-believe fashion, was coming “to save the people from their sins”. Moreover, the angel explained that he would be the fulfillment of a long-awaited prophecy. Verse 23 proclaims: “They will call him Immanuel- which means God with us.” In asking Joseph to demonstrate grace to Mary and the baby, God is showing us the amazing grace that He is about to bring to all of humanity.
As Heads of Christian schools, I often find that we are faced with situations where righteousness and grace may seem at odds with one another. As the person who has to make the ultimate call on issues of student discipline, parental financial penalty, or employee reprimand; we are often tempted to balance the scales of justice, make the least controversial decision, or stick with the strictest interpretation of the handbook. Like Joseph, can we be open to other plans that God might have for that student, family or employee? Maybe, just maybe, He is asking us to go along with an act of grace that will transform that person, like the baby Jesus transformed our world.
Tom Konjoyan serves as Head of School at Village Christian Schools, a K-12 private Blue Ribbon School in Los Angeles, where he has led the institution since 2010. Beyond his role in school leadership, Konjoyan is a Founding Partner with NextEd, an educational services company, and has contributed his expertise as an executive committee member for the Council of Educational Standards and Accountability.
His career in education and nonprofit leadership spans multiple organizations and roles. He previously served as Founding Associate Head of School at Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village, and earlier held the position of Director of Corporate, Foundation and Major Donors at World Vision, an international relief and development organization.
Konjoyan brings a strong academic foundation to his work in Christian education. He is a Harvard University honors graduate with a degree in sociology and holds an MBA from Pepperdine University’s Presidential and Key Executive Program. He also completed the Van Lunen Fellowship for Christian School leaders at Calvin College in Michigan, and has pursued advanced study at MIT and the University of New South Wales in Australia.
When not engaged in school leadership and educational innovation, Konjoyan enjoys coaching, ocean sports, volleyball, and golf. He and his wife, Kelly, have three children and reside in Shadow Hills, California.