My Collaborative Relationship with my Pastor—or Not? NAD Teacher’s Convention Janet Ledesma, Ph.D. Monday, August 6, 2012 (9:45 – 11:00 am) Session ID: 196 Location: Delta Island F

Principal/Pastor relationships as they relate to mentoring, collaboration, communication, and support will be defined and discussed. If you are the principal or constituent church pastor of a school, then this session is for you. Come and discuss how you can enhance your working relationship through researched and proven collaborative practices.

NARRATIVES OF LONGEVITY FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS IN NORTH AMERICA: A MULTIPLE CASE STUDY

Pastoral support always there Deeply committed Engaged in the school Firm supporters of Adventist education Strong Advocates of SDA education Conduct Chapels and Bible studies Pray with school team Enroll their children in SDA school Unions do not hire pastors who are not supportive or do not send their children

“While there are some that are supportive, resourceful, helpful and willing to join me in ministry, there are others who simply could not care less. There appears to be a stereotype in terms of pastoral support. I believe I have experienced both kinds of pastors: supportive and non-supportive ones. Therefore, I believe and have experienced that the stereotypes are accurate and true.”

Uncaring and indifferent Not engaged in the school Too busy to be involved Do not visit the school Principals experience mixed support Isolation at church Lack of accountability: – Budget v. Subsidy – Visitation v. Bible Study – Non visible

A MULTIPLE-CASE STUDY DESCRIBING COLLABORATIVE RELATIONS BETWEEN ADVENTIST PASTORS AND TEACHERS IN THE EASTERN UNITED STATES

Four broad themes emerged: 1.A Sense of Togetherness 2.Necessary Ingredients 3.Connections 4.Benefits of Success/Results of Failure

Sharing of a Unified Mission and Vision  Mission of church and school was the same Team, Unity, Us  No “I” and “Me” Sense of Community  Entire church and school family all had same goals and objectives for the young people Anyone can Make a Difference  There was no one person who had to initiate the collaborative experience. Anyone had the capacity to move the group towards positive relational building.

Kids First Attitude  All decisions made have young people in forefront Embrace Strengths and Accept Weaknesses  Do not expect perfection  Maximize strengths in each other for ministry Trust  Referred to as the “Anchor”  Confidence that partner “has back” Note: For complete reference information refer to Guiding References at the end of this slide presentation.

Respect and Value the Roles and Boundaries  Role was clear Be flexible and Welcoming  Flex as ministry needs dictate Communicate the Good and the Bad  Share successes and challenges

Interpersonal Relationship Outside of Work  Friends  Intentional opportunities are made for social activities away from church and school Pastor Connects the Church to the School  Pulpit  Educational Sabbaths  Visible and active on school campus Teacher Connects the School to the Church  Visible and active in church  Connects school family to church through documents such as school newsletter Note: For complete reference information refer to Guiding References at the end of this slide presentation.

Benefits of Success  Increased likelihood that students will make a decision for Jesus Christ  Positive role model for students  Improved health  Confidence in sustainability Results of Failure  Demise of both church and school  Ultimately, some may not be in heaven. Note: For complete reference information refer to Guiding References at the end of this slide presentation.

Panel Discussion

He who co-operates with the divine purpose in imparting to the youth a knowledge of God, and molding the character into harmony with His, does a high and noble work. As he awakens a desire to reach God's ideal, he presents an education that is as high as heaven and as broad as the universe; an education that cannot be completed in this life, but that will be continued in the life to come; an education that secures to the successful student his passport from the preparatory school of earth to the higher grade, the school above (Education, pg.19).