By: Dan Steinfield, Head of School

For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, 
that I may share with them in its blessings.
(I Corinthians 9:19-23)

As we begin 2022, we are excited to continue year two of our strategic plan initiatives of Educational Innovation, Sustainability, and Community Engagement. Community Engagement includes growing internally as a community of grace which is positioned externally as a city on a hill (Matthew 5:14-16). This initiative is the practical application of being rooted in Christ and living as Christ’s ambassadors (2 Cor 5:18-20).

The Apostle Paul had similar hopes for the church in Corinth. A flourishing trade city where many cultures and religions mingled, the Corinthian church had tremendous opportunity for kingdom impact. As God’s own people - the family of God, the body of Christ - the Corinthian church was to be a holy community reflecting God’s character; a people set apart and marked off from their culture. A city on a hill. And yet, the church in Corinth was plagued with divisions within the church. At the center of their disunity was a “superior knowledge” that some members believed they held above and beyond the average community member. These members prioritized their own social advancement over the advancement of the gospel.

Paul called the church at Corinth to love: a love that builds up. How can one be a light, an example of God’s love to the outside community when we are fighting and plagued with disunity inside? He wanted them to drop their divisive one-upmanship, build up one another’s faith, and witness effectively to unbelievers.

Paul then offered himself as an example to the Corinthians. An Apostle, free in Christ, Paul surrendered his rights for the sake of the Gospel. For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. Paul equated this to the discipline and self control of competitive athletes. In exercising self control Paul avoided disqualifying himself and was able to propose the gospel. This is our resolve to Steadfast Confession and Unashamed Compassion.

We live in a culture that is increasingly angry, divisive, and cancelled. The body of Christ has the answer to the deepest challenges, the deepest hurts, the deepest needs that people today are desperate for. The gospel does not impose, the gospel proposes. Those in Christ are freely given the gifts of wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. This is the life of redemptive impact that DC students are prepared for.

As we enter this new year, I am thankful to stand collectively with our DC families as a city on a hill to the world around us. I pray each individual student will grow in their relationship with Christ, equipped for a life of impact - a city on a hill. Thank you for the privilege to partner together in the ministry of Christian education.