Christian Education + Leadership

🎙 Hosted by Jared Mlynczyk, founder of ChristianEdLeadership.com, Christian educator, and school leader. Does your school culture feel heavy? In this episode, Jared explores how Christ-formed leaders approach conflict, criticism, and difficult decisions without defensiveness, blame, or the need to protect their image. What would change if our first response to organizational problems was shaped by...

🎙 Hosted by Jared Mlynczyk — founder of ChristianEdLeadership.com, Christian educator, and school leader. In this episode, Jared reflects on a simple statement from a parent that changed the way he thinks about the cost and value of Christian education: “Why would we wait to invest for college? These are the investment years.” Her child was six. While families often save, sacrifice, and plan for t...

🎙 Hosted by Jared Mlynczyk — founder of ChristianEdLeadership.com, Christian educator, and school leader. In this episode, Jared reflects on the slower pace of summer and what it can teach school leaders about hurry, attentiveness, and life in the Kingdom of God. While many educators spend the summer preparing schedules, refining strategic plans, hiring staff, and preparing for the year ahead, the...

🎙 Hosted by Jared Mlynczyk — founder of ChristianEdLeadership.com, Christian educator, and school leader. In this episode, Jared reflects on 13 years in school leadership and the emotional weight many educators quietly carry. From replaying difficult conversations to navigating constant organizational pressure, leadership can often feel like a series of “mental gymnastics” that never fully turns o...

God Is With You in the Middle of It In this episode of Willard’s Wisdom for Leaders , I play a short clip from John Ortberg sharing a story about Dallas Willard arriving late to speak at a conference, yet fully present, rested, and full of joy. Leadership often brings circumstances we cannot control. Schedules shift. Problems arise. People bring unexpected challenges. But Willard’s example reminds...

Episode 6 — Placed Here for a Purpose Stewarding Where God Has You Right Now In this episode of Willard’s Wisdom for Leaders , I play a short clip from Dallas Willard and reflect on a foundational truth for leaders. You have been placed in a specific time and place for a purpose. Jesus says in John 8:12 that He is the light of the world. Through Christ, that light now lives in us. As leaders, that...

In this episode of Willard’s Wisdom for Leaders , I play a short clip from Dallas Willard and reflect on a simple but foundational question: What if we obeyed Jesus? Leadership often focuses on strategy, systems, and outcomes. But what would our schools, churches, and organizations look like if obedience to Jesus became natural and routine? Grounded in John 14:15, this brief reflection explores ho...

n this episode of Willard’s Wisdom for Leaders , I play a short clip from Dallas Willard and reflect on what it truly means to say, “The Lord is my Shepherd.” Leadership in this season is full. There are decisions to make, conversations to have, and responsibilities that continue to grow. It is easy for our minds to become consumed with everything in front of us. Grounded in Colossians 3:1–2, this...

In this episode of Willard’s Wisdom for Leaders , I play a short clip from Dallas Willard and reflect on a foundational truth for followers of Christ. We have nothing to fear. As we move through Holy Week and approach Easter, Jesus’ words in John 11:25–26 remind us that He is the resurrection and the life. Because of this, even death is not something to dread. This brief reflection explores how fr...

Episode 2 — Shut Up and Listen The First Act of Love Is Attention In episode 2 of Willard’s Wisdom for Leaders , I play a short clip from Dallas Willard and reflect on one of the most overlooked practices in leadership: listening. Many people go through life—students, parents, teachers—without ever feeling fully heard. In leadership, it is easy to default to fixing problems, giving direction, and...

In this first episode of Willard’s Wisdom for Leaders , I play a short clip from Dallas Willard and reflect on the pressure leaders often feel to constantly fix problems, improve systems, and make things happen. Leadership in schools and ministries can bring expectations from boards, parents, students, and the broader community. Yet Scripture reminds us in Isaiah 40:31 that those who trust in the...

In Part VI of the Rethinking Academics in Christian Schools series, Jared Mlynczyk examines one of the most overlooked systems in education: grading and assessment. What are grades really measuring? Academic mastery, or a mixture of behavior, compliance, homework, and points? This episode challenges traditional grading assumptions and invites Christian school leaders to rethink assessment through...

🎙 Hosted by Jared Mlynczyk — Christian educator and school leader, and founder of ChristianEdLeadership.com. In Part V of the Rethinking Academics in Christian Schools series, we press pause on methods and models to address an essential question: How do we meaningfully integrate a biblical worldview into the actual academic work happening in our classrooms? Instead of relying on devotions or spiri...

🎙 Hosted by Jared Mlynczyk — founder of ChristianEdLeadership.com, Christian educator, and school leader. In this episode, we explore Part IV of the Rethinking Academics in Christian Schools series and get practical about designing reading and math classrooms that actually work for today’s learners. Jared breaks down: Why “teach to the middle” no longer fits modern Christian classrooms How to desi...

🎙 Hosted by Jared Mlynczyk — founder of ChristianEdLeadership.com, Christian educator, and school leader. In this episode, Jared walks through the next step in rethinking academics in Christian schools: identifying what truly matters for students to learn. Once we move beyond “covering the curriculum,” we can begin the real work of naming priority standards, understanding student readiness, mappin...

🎙 Hosted by Jared Mlynczyk — founder of ChristianEdLeadership.com, Christian educator, and school leader. In Part II of Rethinking Academics in Christian Schools , Jared goes deeper — not into methods yet, but into mindsets. Before we redesign schedules, grading systems, or instructional strategies, we must confront the assumptions that have shaped classrooms for decades: ✅ Points ≠ learning ✅ C...

🎙 Hosted by Jared Mlynczyk — founder of ChristianEdLeadership.com, Christian educator, and school leader. Are the academic models we’ve relied on for decades still serving today’s Christian school students? In this episode, Jared launches a new series: Rethinking Academics in Christian Schools — exploring how Christian educators can remain deeply committed to biblical formation while re-imagining...

🎙 Hosted by Jared Mlynczyk — founder of ChristianEdLeadership.com, Christian educator, and school leader. In this episode of Case Studies in Christian Education , Jared explores how Chattanooga Christian School is reimagining what it means to serve every learner. The Learning Center at CCS offers a deeply individualized model for students with significant learning and developmental needs—combining...

🎙 Hosted by Jared Mlynczyk — founder of ChristianEdLeadership.com, Christian educator, and school leader. In this episode of Case Studies in Christian Education , we explore how Northwest Christian Schools in Spokane has turned a thrift store into a ministry of stewardship, community, and potential student leadership. The NWC Thrift Store generates over $1.5 million in annual revenue (before expen...

🎙 Hosted by Jared Mlynczyk — founder of ChristianEdLeadership.com, Christian educator, and school leader. In this episode of Case Studies in Christian Education , we explore how Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy integrates faith, innovation, and entrepreneurship into a powerful model for student formation. CHCA’s Entrepreneurship and Sustainability program places students at the center of real-wo...

🎙 Hosted by Jared Mlynczyk — founder of ChristianEdLeadership.com, Christian educator, and school leader. In this episode of Case Studies in Christian Education , we examine the recent situation at Lipscomb Academy, where a student gesture honoring Charlie Kirk led to public debate and administrative change. What happens when school policy meets a cultural moment? How can leaders engage passionate...

🎙 Hosted by Jared Mlynczyk — founder of ChristianEdLeadership.com, Christian educator, and school leader. In Part 3 of the Beyond the Application – Hiring Christian Educators series, we ask an important question: What Happens After They’re Hired? Hiring is never the finish line for Christian schools—it’s just the beginning. Once a new teacher or staff member signs on, the real work begins: onboard...

🎙 Hosted by Jared Mlynczyk — founder of ChristianEdLeadership.com, Christian educator, and school leader. In Part 2 of the Beyond the Application – Hiring Christian Educators series, we dig into a crucial question: How should we interview? The hiring process in Christian schools is not just about filling positions—it’s about discerning calling, character, and conviction. In this episode, Jared unp...

🎙 Hosted by Jared Mlynczyk — Christian educator and school leader, and founder of ChristianEdLeadership.com . In this episode, Jared unpacks his article “The Real Battle: Worldview, Not Politics.” With cultural pressures rising, it’s easy for Christian schools to get distracted by numbers, politics, or trending issues. But the true calling of Christian education is much deeper: forming disciples w...

🎙 Hosted by Jared Mlynczyk — founder of ChristianEdLeadership.com, Christian educator, and school leader. In Part 1 of the Beyond the Application – Hiring Christian Educators series, we ask the critical question: Who are we looking for? Hiring in Christian schools is not simply about filling positions. It’s about shaping the lives of students and stewarding the mission God has given us. In this ep...