Posted on 12/26/2009 1:06:10 PM PST by Colofornian
CHICO
Changes in the curriculum at Crosspoint Academy have some parents, including prominent radio host Delilah Rene Luke, concerned the private Christian school in Chico is straying from its biblical focus.
But school leaders defend the changes, saying the new materials will grow the schools 290 students into the next generation of Christian leaders.
The idea that Crosspoint is still fundamentally rooted in strong Christian values and delivers a curriculum with a Christian perspective in mind has not changed and that has never changed in this process, said Eric Rasmussen, superintendent of schools for Crista, the Christian ministry organization that owns Crosspoint.
The school, formerly known as Kings West, announced this fall that it had a new plan for a curriculum focused on leadership and on five pillars: critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, contemplation and cultural competency. Much of the work has been based on The Leader In Me, a program for students from Stephen Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
The emphasis on Coveys work is what most concerns Delilah. She recently disenrolled three of her children from Crosspoint.
I would like to say that I am merely deeply concerned about a recent addition to the schools teaching philosophy, but instead, I am forced to admit I am actually HORRIFIED by the recent addition of a book by Mormon author Steven (sic) Covey, she wrote in a Nov. 24 open letter to Crosspoint parents.
Further, she wrote that she believes in freedom of religion and does not object to Mormon beliefs or the yoga-type, Eastern religion activities Covey advocates. She said in a recent interview, however, that the materials dont belong in a Christian school.
Its not about being intolerant. Its about being true to my faith, she said. I dont have a problem with Stephen Covey and businesses that use it. I dont have any problem with people who want to sign up for yoga classes or attend the church of Satan if they want to. Thats their right. But I cant imagine someone paying money to send their kids to Brigham Young University so they can get a good basis in Mormon faith and then having their kid come home and saying his new teacher was a Catholic priest teaching the Apocrypha.
After her letter circulated, Delilah held an informational meeting in Port Orchard for Crosspoint parents. About 30 attended. She also received many supportive e-mails. But the parents contacted by e-mail by the Kitsap Sun about the controversy either declined to be interviewed or did not respond.
Covey has denied in recent years that his leadership materials are repackaged Mormonism. But Delilah is concerned that the leadership materials introduce Mormon tenets in a way that is palatable to non-Mormons.
He intends to indoctrinate the world with his theology by wiring it in a way that people can accept, she said.
Delilah questioned whether Crista and Crosspoint leaders were aware of Coveys beliefs before they adopted the materials. But Rasmussen said the bigger question is whether Crista schools only take materials from Christian publishers. The schools draw from a wide variety of materials and we will continue to seek and find the best resources and put them in the hands of outstanding Christian educators, he added.
Additionally, Rasmussen said teaching at Crosspoint goes well beyond The Leader In Me to focus on the five pillars. For example, he said, the core value of contemplation means to be people of reflection.
From a Christian standpoint, that means kids would meditate on their faith and the significance of biblical truth in their life, or they would read and think contemplatively about great literature.
We believe leaders do these core things, that kids should be contemplative in life and think about next step, about what God has in store and in place for them.
Delilah said smaller issues have led her to believe Crosspoint is trying to rebrand itself to attract families familiar and comfortable with Covey, but not perhaps with Christianity. A plaque with the Ten Commandments was recently moved from a prominent spot in the schools main hallway to a not-so-prominent classroom. A Seven Habits poster advocating meditation was put up at Crosspoint, with a Bible verse taped to it as if to make Eastern religion acceptable to the Christian, Delilah wrote in her Nov. 24 letter.
They even changed the schools name to take the Lords name out, she said.
Further, school leaders did not properly inform parents of the changes until the beginning of this school year, giving them little time to understand or react, she said.
But Rasmussen said the schools changes are not about rebranding, rather its trying to improve on past success in academics and extracurriculars.
Were thrilled in terms of where were going and moving forward to make this great school better to be really intentionally focused, he said. We see the need in terms of this world for good intentional Christian leaders who will lead in their churches and their communities and their homes.
There is NO way for us to know which lies you believe.
We can, however, shown some LIES of your Leaders: would THAT help any?
"When our leaders speak, the thinking has been done. When they propose a plan--it is God's Plan. When they point the way, there is no other which is safe. When they give directions, it should mark the end of controversy, God works in no other way. To think otherwise, without immediate repentance, may cost one his faith, may destroy his testimony, and leave him a stranger to the kingdom of God."
Ward Teachers Message, Deseret News, Church Section p. 5, May 26, 1945
Also included in the Improvement Era, June 1945 (which was the official church magazine before the Ensign)
"Always keep your eye on the President of the church, and if he ever tells you to do anything, even if it is wrong, and you do it, the lord will bless you for it but you don't need to worry. The lord will never let his mouthpiece lead the people astray."
LDS President Marion G. Romney (of the first presidency), quoting LDS President (and prophet) Heber J. Grant "Conference Report" Oct. 1960 p. 78
"The Lord Almighty leads this Church, and he will never suffer you to be led astray if you are found doing your duty. You may go home and sleep as sweetly as a babe in its mother's arms, as to any danger of your leaders leading you astray, for if they should try to do so the Lord would quickly sweep them from the earth."
Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, Vol. 9, p. 289, 1862.
"When the Prophet speaks the debate is over".
N. Eldon Tanner, August Ensign 1979, pages 2-3
"I sat in this tabernacle some years ago as President Joseph Fielding Smith stood at this pulpit. It was the general priesthood meeting of April 1972, the last general conference before President Smith passed away. He said: 'There is one thing which we should have exceedingly clear in our minds. Neither the President of the Church, nor the First Presidency, or the united voice of the First Presidency and the Twelve will ever lead the Saints astray or send forth counsel to the world that is contrary to the mind and will of the lord'."
L. Aldin Porter of the Presidency of the First Quorum of Seventies (Ensign, Nov. 1994, p. 63)
"Follow your leaders who have been duly ordained and have been publicly sustained, and you will not be led astray."
Boyd K. Packer (General Conference, Oct. 1992; Ensign, Nov. 1992)
"The Lord will never permit me or any other man who stands as President of this Church to lead you astray."
President Wilford Woodruff (considered scripture as it is canonized at the end of the D&C)
Everybody is telling me where not to go, but nobody is telling me where to go...well, other than to Hell.
I think I'm seeing a repeating pattern here:
I ask for truth here and it seems that people avoid it like a plague. Is this how Christians are suppose to treat others?
“I ask for truth here and it seems that people avoid it like a plague. Is this how Christians are suppose to treat others?” You’re a liar at heart. You came on this thread spoiling for a tussle, plain as day, and when someone shows you the simple truth of salvation you try to twist the message into something complex and convoluted. You’re just a liar now, playing at victim. Typical really ...
No, you are playing a little game and believing you are getting away with it.
In fact, you have given us countless opportunities to post mormonism facts and quotes from mormon leaders that can be seen by lurkers as false and un-Christian doctrine.
None of the Inmans fell off a turnip truck.
A kind way of putting it but an understatement to be sure.
Was it a dead family?
I ask for bread and I get a stone to eat before getting pelted with more stones by those who are perfect.
I ask questions and people avoid them.
I hold my hand out and my face gets slapped.
Is this what Christ has taught you?
You accuse me of having an agenda, yet you all also have an agenda.
Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
I have yet to see any beautiful feet around here. I only see feet that attempt to stomp on me and kick me out.
Ah yes, the victim card. So mormonism esque don’tchaknow. And the poster even use Satan’s pleas without realizing he’s directing the posts. We’ve seen this behavior from Delphi User, Restornu, Tantiboh, and others, so often it no longer has effect. The evil one uses that pleading to justify abortion, too, as an act of avoiding negative consequences ‘to give the murdering feamle another chance to be good’ don’tchaknow. Your morg really ought to try something new. But then the father of lies has been using the same proven methodology for thousands of generations he’s led astray, ever since he duped Eve.
Oh come on. Is it possible for one person to be more of a whinny victim?
You left out Subroutine 9a:
SUB9a:
Delete MORMONism from MEMORY
RETURN
You need to jar the turntable: your record keeps skipping...
keeps skipping...
keeps skipping...
keeps skipping...
keeps skipping...
keeps skipping...
keeps skipping...
keeps skipping...
keeps skipping...
keeps skipping...
keeps skipping...
keeps skipping...
keeps skipping...
keeps skipping...
keeps skipping...
keeps skipping...
keeps skipping...
I fell off the graden tractor while pulling the Halloween train around the farm...
I fell off the garen tractor while pulling the Halloween train around the farm...
I fell off the garden tractor while pulling the Halloween train around the farm...
(Are you seeing TRIPLE yet?)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.