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The world is getting crazy. How do we raise a generation that refuses to compromise in matters of faith, especially in a world that rejects, even scorns, anyone who believes in absolute truth?  Like walking a roofline, how do we balance being in the world but not of it?  On one side, a person can easily compromise and blindly adopt the latest “correct thinking” and fall into the ditch of becoming a chameleon changing with their environment. On the other side of the roof, it is easy for a person to slide into isolation in a holy huddle, overly cautious and afraid of the world.  A person is only surrounded by those who think and act like them.  Dick Keyes has spent five decades as part of Francis Schaeffer’s L’Abri Fellowship, helping people navigate this balance. Ultimately, he urges them to live confidently and boldly as followers of Christ using what Schaeffer called “True Truth,” which he describes as “the mark of the Christian a love lived out, despite the wild world around us." It’s for sure something we should strive for each day as classical Christian educators and parents but for sure not easy… join us for this conversation!BIOGRAPHYDick Keyes is director emeritus of L’Abri Fellowship in Southborough, Massachusetts, where he has worked with his wife and family since 1979. He holds a B.A. in History from Harvard University and an M.Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia.Dick has worked for L’Abri Fellowship in Switzerland and England, where he also served as a pastor in the International Presbyterian Church in London for eight years. He has been an adjunct professor at Gordon Conwell Seminary and Westminster Theological Seminary.Dick Keyes (B.A. Harvard University, M. Div. Westminster Seminary) is the director of L’Abri Fellowship in Southborough, MA. He is the author of Beyond Identity, True Heroism, and Chameleon Christianity and several book chapters in anthologies such as Finding God at Harvard and The New Dictionary of Christian Apologetics. He has lectured widely on the Christian faith and modern culture in the United States, Europe, and Korea.You can always download the English L'Abri Podcast. Check it out today!

What does it mean to be human, to be civil, to have a confident purpose in life? Raising up a generation that will genuinely truly is the goal of any loving parent and teacher. How do we do it? Our guest today has written a new book that illuminates the power of a liberal arts education, which for centuries has formed Christ-followers who have gone into the broken world and made significant positive cultural changes. People who know who they are and whose they are, ready to endure whatever challenges unfold before them. Isn't that what the world needs right now? Listen in...BIOGRAPHYR. Keith Loftin is Associate Professor of Philosophy and Humanities, as well as the Associate Dean at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Scarborough College in Fort Worth, TX. In addition to the PhD, he holds an M.A. in Philosophy and an M.A. in Humanities. He is the editor of God & Morality: Four Views, co-author of Stand Firm: Defending the Beauty and Brilliance of the Gospel, and the author of numerous articles and reviews addressing topics both philosophical and theological.Follow R. Keith Loftin on TwitterContact R. Keith Loftin via EmailADVERTISEMENTSSCL Cohort InfoSCL Winter Symposium Info  

What could be more important than excellent reading, writing, and arithmetic skills? More than ever, we need a generation of students who are cultivated to love what God loves, to think deeply, and to be real world ready. All of that sounds amazing and makes for good open house talks but is there longterm evidence that it actually works? Our guest today, Head of School Jared Squires, has completed a doctoral dissertation that specifically researches the longterm outcomes and impact of classical Christian education on graduates. More than ever, civilization depends on parents and teachers who recognize the power of paideia in our schools. Listen in and get equipped!_____BiographyJared Squires has been blessed to be a part of the classical, Christian, University-Model school movement for the past 20 years as a co-founder of Kingdom Prep, trustee, and headmaster. He and his wife, Dana, first learned of the classical, Christian, University-Model school movement in the fall of 1999 when his daughter, who is now 27, was in the first grade. At that moment in his life, the Lord began prompting him in a number of areas regarding what His plans were for his children’s education, as well as His plans for a career. After working “part-time” (evenings & weekends) in education for eight years, he left his career as a healthcare executive in August 2008 to pursue his life’s calling full-time as a school administrator. His educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in finance, a master’s degree in business, and a doctorate degree in education. He has been impacted dramatically by the formation and continued development of Kingdom Prep. He is extremely thankful for the opportunity to serve on a daily basis in the many varied capacities at a classical Christian school. _____SponsorsFind out more about the CLT Exam30 Poems To Memorize (Before It's Too Late) from The CiRCE InstituteMake sure to follow Basecamp Live on Spotify!

How does reading Homer benefit students in a world gone amok? Shouldn’t we focus less on doing the hard thing and more on the practical needs that stem from living through a pandemic? Chris Schlect, Fellow of History at New Saint Andrews College, reminds us that classical classical Christian education is needed now more than ever. Like the early Christians, parents and teachers must look beyond the practical and press in during these difficult times. According to Schlect, reading Homer is how we build the world and teaching kids to face adversity is how the kingdom of God advances. Turns out that aiming for the “timeless” will get you to the practical every time. Tune in today to hear how!

Which age groups are having the toughest time as school reopens this side of the pandemic? Keith McCurdy is back to address what all students are most worried about and how should parents and teachers respond. In this timely episode, Keith suggests strategies to help kids lean in, understand their new environments, and roll with the changes as they return to school. Listen in to help students of all ages navigate this new world.

What anchors a school? This is the million-dollar question author Kathleen Kitchin asks of existing classical Christian Schools. Her new book, First Things First: Keeping Your Classical Christian School On Track, reveals the principles and patterns of success she discovered in her research. In this podcast, teachers, staff, and parents will learn how a school can become the educational "alma mater" - that’s Latin for “nourishing mother” - that our graduates will look back on with gratitude and fondness. Learn how to shore up those practices to help your classical Christian school stay on track...or get your school back on track!

Culture often pressures us to believe that results and outcomes matter more than everything else. This attitude can bleed into the classical Christian school realm and affect our parenting. Josh Dyson, Head of the Classical School of Wichita, urges us to consider Augustine who did not receive the gospel during his formative years. Only years later did his conversion come together with his classically trained mind…and the results were explosive! Listen in to hear how can parents can better manage their expectations and wait on God's prefect timing.

Do you have an abundance of Amazon boxes lately? Laurie Detweiler, the Executive Vice President of Veritas Press, offers some creative ideas for you and the special kids in your life. With just a little bit of time and some imagination, parents and grandparents can reinforce skills and history lessons at home. Invite kids to connect anytime via Zoom! Read online together in a different way! Every generation can enrich children of all ages no matter how busy or how much distance is between them. Listen in for some fabulous ideas from an educator who is living this out.

The Pandemic has challenged our idea that we have only two choices: homeschool or brick and mortar. The blurring of the lines means more choices. But what is the parent’s responsibility and what is the school’s, especially when every family is different with varying needs? Marlin Detweiler, Executive Director of Veritas Press, encourages parents to figure out where they are on the new continuum...and yet keep their authority whether or not there is a crisis. Listen in to hear his predictions for what the future holds for classical Christian education after the Pandemic.

How do we build virtue? Our guests today, Dr. Timothy Dernlan and two special students, share practical applications for teaching virtue that sticks and works. They discuss the methods they’ve used to foster virtue and guard against vice. Dernlan’s new book is Classical Christian Virtues: Contemplating the Good Life.

Someone once said, “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” But Keith McCurdy believes it’s the marriage, not mama, that we need to be concerned about. In fact, McCurdy shows how a family’s greatest tool to navigate the Pandemic is marriage. But what if your relationship isn’t as strong as it could be? And this shutdown has added extra burdens? McCurdy’s positive and practical steps can help. This last episode of our Going the Distance series will encourage you if you are already feeling supported...or help you reset and come out of this Pandemic stronger than ever. Listen in!

High school seniors’ graduation plans have been highjacked and many college kids are back home due to the Pandemic. So how do we maximize this gift of being together 24/7 while respecting each other’s significant differences? Counselor Keith McCurdy addresses these specific age groups in Part 3 of our Going the Distance Series. Learn how parents can help these little birdies who want to fly the nest…but are temporarily "there and back again.”

Teachers are having to turn their teaching methods upside down by going online during this Covid-19 Pandemic. But how do teachers save the day for students without losing their own minds? Many are frustrated with the new platform, feeling self-doubt and missing their students. And what is appropriate and inappropriate when connecting online? Speaking directly to classical Christian teachers, counselor Keith McCurdy points teachers away from unhealthy mechanisms and toward a freedom to engage in something that’s a little more clunky right now. Listen in!

Are you losing your mind or loving these extended days at home? Either way, you don’t want to miss this episode! Our four part series, Going the Distance, begins today. In light of the quarantine we are currently experiencing due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, our resident counselor Keith McCurdy offers practical advice to parents of grammar school-aged kids. Learn how to better avoid chaos, partner with your child’s school, entertain grammar school kids (or not!), and reclaim this unique time. Touching on stories he’s seen in the lives of his own clients who are struggling in these areas, McCurdy helps us redeem these days in quarantine with little ones.

As schools lock their doors and families stay home together, parents are asking urgent questions: How do we survive in this world turned upside down due to Covid-19? How do we make the most of it? And how do we help our children not fear what is going on? Counselor Keith McCurdy shares his top five tips for thriving - not just just surviving - during our new reality of being together 24/7. Redeem the time! Find out how on today’s episode! Your family will be stronger for it!

Politicians and advocates appeal to hearts and minds, but are their ideas and ethics worth following? Students in Classical Christian Schools learn that Rhetoric is more than a tool to get your way…and that speech must emanate from the heart. In this episode, Chris Maiocca shares practical tips to teach students this worthy “life skill". As the Instructor of Scripture, Classical Rhetoric, and Senior Thesis at The Ambrose School in Boise, ID, he explains how Rhetoric is so much more than just "public speaking”. Teachers and parents, listen in to learn how to bolster your Rhetoric program in your Classical Christian school...or even at home. In fact, you can create an engaging little Athens for children wherever you go. Get ready to be persuaded!

Parents, have you ever bemoaned, “I should…”, “I would...” or “I could have...”? Did you fall for trendy parenting advice that was proven invalid? Ever lost your temper? Mix in the high standards of the classical Christian model and we can set ourselves up for disappointment. Most parents - and teachers, too - wish they could could go back in time and change some of their decisions. But don't beat yourself up. In today’s episode, Keith McCurdy helps us replace regret and guilt with grace and confidence. Thankfully, it is never too late to influence your children…even when they’re grown.

You have to see it - and hear it - to believe it! David Goodwin, our special guest and President of the Association of Classical Christian Schools, shares the newly published results of the highly regarded Cardus Educational study. Cardus, a top research firm commissioned by the ACCS, measured the influence of Classical Christian Schools on graduates up to twenty-five years later. Cardus worked with Notre Dame’s Sociology Department to conduct a highly scientific, unbiased, and first of its kind study. Released this month for the first time ever, this 89-page comparative study evaluates a broad spectrum of behaviors, attitudes, beliefs and life outcomes of alumni ages 24-42. Compared with five other types of schools (public, private, Catholic, evangelical Christian, and homeschool), Classical Christian (ACCS) schools produce alumni who stand out as having an influence in the real world. Listen in to hear some of the fascinating results!

In today's episode, two adult siblings, Erin Meyers and Brett Jones, reflect on their experience with classical Christian education and its impact on their lives today. While Erin attended public school and Brett attended Faith Christian School in Roanoke,Va. they both see the value that CCE has for real world living. They discuss everything from diversity and freedom of thought to how to read statistics and building a framework of faith. Parents, teachers, and administrators, here are two real world examples of how classical Christian is making a significant difference in the lives of alumni.

NYC is not an easy place to run a school. With 900+ private K-12 schools in a city of 8.6 million, the competition is fierce. Yet for the last 24 years, The Geneva School of Manhattan has been serving in the heart of the city as a classical Christian school. Rim Hinckley shares how her vision became a reality and how God provided. She also looks to the future and shares why adding a high school at The Geneva School is so important for NYC. Parents, teachers, and administrators, listen in to learn how anything is possible despite the challenges around you and how children educated classically in a Christian environment stand out...even in NYC!