'Twas the night before two-thousand and twelve

The Christmas season is a time filled with great joy and celebration of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ: the greatest gift of all. Over the last few weeks, amid time with family and loved ones, I have spent time dwelling on the scriptures found in Isaiah 9:

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given. And the government shall be upon his shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this."

Our God is truly an awesome God! 

And now, as the New Year approaches, and the last of the Christmas decorations are shed, I find myself praising God for His many blessings, and in doing so, am reminded of my grandmother. As many of you may know, I am a bit of a "book junky". To put it simply: I love to read! My grandmother was a librarian and much of my love for books was passed down to me from her. I can still remember the day, when on my fifth birthday, she took me to get my very own library card which I used to check out five books. It was love at first page and I was hooked. My grandmother also encouraged me to keep a note card on every book I read, a practice I still maintain today. So, in honor of my grandmother, and in preparation for 2012, I thought it would be appropriate to share with you my top reads from the past year (in no particular order). I hope that you enjoy them as much as I did! 

Bob's Top Reads of 2011:

TITLE: The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science 

AUTHOR: Norman Doidge, M.D.

INFO: The implications on education from the studies covered in this book are monumental. The short answer is that educational practice lags cognitive understanding by at least 20 years. 

TITLE: Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer: A Man Who Would Cure the World

AUTHOR: Tracy Kidder

INFO: Dr. Farmer, a Harvard trained physician, has dedicated his life to providing medical care for the poor, particularly in Haiti. This book is well written and deeply convicting. 

TITLE: Unbroken: A WWII Story of Survival, Redemption, and Resilience

AUTHOR: Laura Hillenbrand

INFO: The title sums it up best.

TITLE: The Omnivore's Dilemma: a Natural History of Four Meals

AUTHOR: Michael Pollan

INFO: One of the highlights of our administrative team here at Shannon Forest is that we all love to read. I would never have selected this to read but it was a recommendation from a colleague. I would probably consider it my favorite read of the year. This is a book that will certainly change the way you view the food you eat. 

TITLE: Studies in the Sermon on the Mount

AUTHOR: D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

INFO: It is by far the most challenging exposition of scripture that I have ever read. 

TITLE: Breaking the Missional Code: Your Church Can Become a Missionary in Your Community

AUTHOR: David Putman and Ed Stetzer

INFO: A thoughtful analysis of why the Gospel is not transforming American Culture and how to change this trend. 

Bob's 2011 Honorable Mentions:

Only Time Will Tell by Jeffrey Archer

61 Hours, Bad Luck and Trouble, and Killing Floor by Lee Child

Angels Flight by Michael Connelly 

Daniels Running Formula by Jack Daniels, Ph. D.

Generation iY by Tim Elmore

Pursuit of Honor by Vince Flynn 
Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard by Dan and Chip Heath
Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church by Michael Horton
War by Sebastian Junger
Hidden Harmonies: The Lives and Times of the Pythagorean Theorem by Robert Kaplan

Brother Odd by Dean Koontz

Our Iceberg is Melting by John Kotter 

Running with the Buffaloes by Chris Lear

Return Flight: Community Development Through Reneighboring Our Cities by Robert Lupton

Running to the Top by Arthur Lydiard

Six Silent Men by Reyenel Martinez

Lore of Running by Tim Noakes

Saving Leonardo: A Call to Resist the Secular Assault on Mind, Morals and Meaning by Nancy Pearcy

With Justice For All: A Strategy for Community Development by John Perkins

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do and What it Says About Us by Tom Vanderbilt

Desiring the Kingrom: Worship, Worldview and Cultural Formation by James Smith

Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain by David Eagleman

I offer continued wishes of a Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year to you and your family and look forward to seeing all of you next year! God bless.

My Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time when friends and family gather together in fellowship to give thanks, share some food, and maybe even watch some football together. This year, Thanksgiving marked the return of my daughter Lyndsay from Bolivia. After travel complications arose, first with her visa, then with the retrieval of her passport, we weren’t sure if we were going to have her home for the holidays or not. But the Lord is good and Lyndsay’s passport came into her possession only hours before her flight was to depart for the states. She will be returning to the mission field in Bolivia (sans dreadlocks) after the Christmas holiday is over. Over Thanksgiving I was also afforded the opportunity to spend time with two of the people who most influenced my life: Ralph and Mr. Gilpin. Both men are educators and have both been recognized as Teachers of the Year in Florida. A large part of the draw I have to education is to pay back their investment in me.

 

 Family reunion at the train station in Tampa, FL.

Lyndsay's last photo with the dreads.

Losing the dreadlocks. Hallelujah! 

  My beautiful daughter WITHOUT dreadlocks.

Ralph, six years my senior, was my neighbor and mentored me from the time of my dad’s passing until the day I left for college. The impact he had on my life is incalculable and I am very thankful for him. Because of our age difference, Ralph and I never attended school together, but he was always there for me none the less. I had a lot of energy as a kid and could be rather rambunctious and even rebellious at times.  Ralph saw those qualities in me and helped me to channel and apply them in positive ways. He saw me for me, and not just the me that I was, but the potential me that was present inside. Everything I know about loving young people, I learned from Ralph. 

 

Me and Ralph at Thanksgiving. 

Mr. Gilpin taught Comparative Religion at my high school, and was the only teacher I had who challenged me to expand my expectations and to apply myself to achieve them. Mr. Gilpin was a former priest who had renounced the priesthood to become an evangelical. Before Mr. Giplin, I was a bit of an under-achiever, something that my other teachers would identify and label as a negative, ultimately furthering my rebellious nature. Mr. Gilpin instead saw my rebellious, energetic ways and drew them out of me in a positive way, in a productive way. He was the first person in my life that had really challenged me to make life goals; it was the first time in my life that I had really thought about what I wanted from my future. Most importantly, Mr. Gilpin taught me to love the Church as the bride of Christ; he challenged me to visit churches and view their presentation of the sacraments, to experience worship with them. He taught me that God’s church isn’t in a building: it’s the people.

 Me with Mr. and Mrs. Gilpin over Thanksgiving.

The thing I thank them most for is that they never tried to change me or conform me. Instead, they each helped me to discover my gifts and talents, and most especially they taught me how to channel them. They each cared about me beyond the classroom, and I knew that.

These men are responsible for my draw to education, my desire to be a teacher, to work with teachers, to challenge teachers to genuinely care about their students, and to provide students with a personalized education. More important than any subject is the knowledge that the one teaching is someone who truly sees you and encourages you to be more than you are. My draw to education is recognizing the opportunity that we have to shape young people, and that’s exactly what we are doing at Shannon Forest every single day. If we were to look around one day and discover that the only thing our students take away from their time here is content, then we will have failed them. These are my educational aspirations.

Are you ready for some football?

I'm sure that by now you have all heard the buzz about the introduction of a brand new football program at our school beginning in 2012. Amid the excitement and opportunity that a program like this will mean for our school, you may be wondering 'why football?' Football is important for our school because in the South there is no other sport which attracts so much community. This in no way means that football trumps all other sports, but I do believe that the community culture fostered by football can be a unifying and exciting element of the school experience. So as a school approaching its 43rd year, why are we adding football now? It's simple really: Levon Kirkland. When the Lord provides opportunity, He doesn't mess around. Levon's vision for football at Shannon Forest aligns well with our philosophies here at the school; Levon wants to build more than a program--he wants to build young men. Yes, there are challenges; that's how opportunity works. And this is a great opportunity for us to show the very qualities we want to teach all of our students: diligence, teamwork, and perseverance to accomplish one's goals.

 In order to create this great culture of football, it's going to require passion, love, 

commitment and hard work from the entire Shannon Forest Nation!

Levon Kirkland

SFCS Football Headlines:

Fox Carolina 

WYFF 4 

 News Channel 7

Greenville News
 

To Equip and Challenge

I recently visited Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia where I had the chance to catch up with several of our alumni. One evening in the dining hall, a group of students that were at my table began discussing Christ and Culture, a required seminar at Covenant. I was encouraged to hear these young men and women talk about this topic, and during the course of the conversation it became clear that some of these young people had been trained to actively engage in the world as salt and light. On the other hand, it was also evident that some at the table had been trained to avoid the world. 

Covenant College atop Lookout Mountain, GA

This dichotomy made me ask myself 'what are we trying to do at Shannon Forest?' Our mission statement calls us to "equip and challenge our students to influence culture and society for Jesus Christ." Thus given our mission, it seems to me that we must train our students to engage the world, not hide from it. Let me offer some ideas on what this means:

1. Transform not Conform. I have always told my daughter Lyndsay that in life you are either a thermostat or a thermometer: you either set the temperature or you merely measure it. Romans 12:1-2 states this plainly:

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this if your true and perfect worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will."

 2. Filter. One of the primary values of Christian education is that it allows students to be exposed to Truth, primarily the Truth as presented in Scripture. Rather than simply give students a list of dos and don'ts, we must teach them to filter all of life through a filter of Truth. Paul tells us to "take every thought captive." In the conversation at Covenant, and in many other conversations with students, I find an underdeveloped discernment regarding the contrast between a Biblical worldview and the message of the world. 

3. Love. Jesus came to save the world, not condemn it. All too frequently Christians are simply known for what they are against. Our interaction with the world is to be part of the mission of God: to save that which was lost. 

I believe that if we can equip our students in these ways, we will indeed influence culture and society for Jesus.

Salt and Light

What about Windy Gap?

As most of the Shannon Forest community knows, October 5-7 marked our 15th annual spiritual emphasis retreat to Windy Gap in Weaverville, NC.  What a great experience it was to be with 24 parent volunteers, 31 staff and faculty members, 141 students, 4 band members, 2 volunteer nurses and 1 very energetic speaker all worshiping together for 2 and a half days in God's glorious creation.  I say "worship" because the natural beauty of the place, the music, the food, the fun, and the time spent together applying the Truth found in Romans all produced a spirit of worship for the God who made all this possible. 

 

Teachers Amanda Tinklepaugh and Stephanie Lewis enjoy taking in the sights of the zipline and 

blob from the snack shop with student Ian Mendelsohn. One of the many times that WG provided

opportunities for faculty and students to connect outside of the classroom.

Yes, that's me, Bob Collins. 

Teacher Pam Erwin played senior Emily Pyhala in the Senior Skit this year. The skit has become 

an annual tradition during Skit Night at Windy Gap.

Whereas I know that the excitement of the camp experience often has a short shelf life and can fade away as the holidays and semester exams approach, I do believe that Windy Gap leaves a lasting impact on our students. One reason this is true is because what happens at WG is really just a condensed version of what we try to do daily at SFCS. The parent/ teacher partnership, the fun, the fellowship, and the opportunity to let the Truth found in scripture shape our hearts and minds are as much a part of the Shannon experience on campus as they are at WG. The other reason I believe this to be true is because here at school we spend large chunks of time examining scripture and applying it to our lives, and helping our students apply it personally to their lives as well. 

 Students Neil Conover and Maddie Allen engage with this year's speaker 

Chris Armfield on the WG volleyball court. Chris spoke on Romans throughout the week, 

encouraging and connecting with the students on God's Truth. 

Teacher Elizabeth Tate captures student Katherine Roach from behind her camera lens. 

The sights and memories at Windy Gap always make for amazing shots for our 

annual yearbook and yearbook students like Miss Roach and Samuel Glenn can often 

be seen around camp toting their camera bags and sharpening their photography skills. 

Students Samantha Steele and Katelyn Pittman scream their hearts out on the Windy Gap swing.

The promise that God’s Word will not fail to accomplish its purpose gives me every confidence that our students will be forever affected by what happens at Windy Gap, and so will we. 

What about Bob?

My biography (also available on the Shannon Forest website):

Robert “Bob” Patrick Collins, Jr. has served as President of Shannon Forest Christian School since spring 2010. A graduate of Mars Hill College, Bob earned his undergraduate degree in Biblical Studies, Biblical Languages while attending on an academics-based athletics scholarship for soccer. The first male Collins to graduate from both high school and college since the family’s migration from Ireland to America in the 1890s, Bob went on to earn a master’s degree from Clemson University in History, with an emphasis in U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East.

During his senior year at Mars Hill, Bob served as an ordained student pastor and added “husband” to his schedule, marrying his college sweetheart, Millie. Two years later the couple was blessed with the birth of their daughter, Lyndsay. 

 Me and Millie enjoying an Atlanta Braves baseball game.

The son of a naval man, Bob enlisted in the armed services upon graduation from college, joining the Army in 1985. He attended Clemson at the Army’s behest, and during his six years on active duty, served in Intelligence, working with both the FBI and CIA. At age 27, Bob served on Army Staff at the Pentagon during the first Gulf War, becoming the youngest officer to hold such a position.  

Bob resigned from active duty in order to spend more time with his wife and growing daughter, and followed God’s call into education. Deeply passionate about young people, he spent six years teaching AP History and Government and Economics to Upstate high school students, and also taught as an adjunct faculty member at both Clemson and Southern Wesleyan Universities. Bob left education in 1996 to join the corporate world and went on to work for Resurgent Capital Services, an international company with offices located in Greenville. While working with Resurgent, Bob had great success serving as Vice President of Operations, and established five additional business lines for the company.

In 2004, Bob left Resurgent and began serving full-time with Serving in Mission (SIM) as a missionary in Ecuador with his family. While there, he operated a coffee house as part of his university ministry, using coffee as a means to connect with and love on young students in the area. 

Lyndsay, Millie and me in front of one of Ecuador's many volcanoes.

After completing his time in Ecuador, Bob and family relocated to Mexico City, Mexico, where he worked as Chief Operating Officer for Sherman Financial, parent company to Resurgent. In October 2009, while conversing with God during a run in the city, Bob felt the Lord drawing him back to education. Hesitant at first, he responded much like Moses, thinking ‘I can’t; surely there is someone else.’ But even when we can’t, the Lord can, and at the start of 2010, the Collins clan moved back to the states, settling in Greenville, SC to be near Millie’s mother and father.

While attending Shannon Forest Presbyterian Church, Bob was approached about heading SFCS. Realizing that God had used every step of his journey to direct him to this moment, he accepted the position, and continues to be an invaluable addition to the school. 

You may already know that Bob loves to run and work out (he can often be seen working with our Crusader Cross Country team), and that he loves soccer and is fluent in Spanish. But there are many things you may not know just yet. For example, Bob is actually tri-lingual, speaking Arabic in addition to English and Spanish. He owns an adorable black Labrador, named Baxter, who was adopted during his time in Ecuador. He loves fishing (his largest catch is a 42 lb. redfish), has fly-fished in six countries, and even dreams about sushi. He loves photography and is an avid outdoor enthusiast. 

 Enjoying some fly-fishing in Ecuador.

He has participated in four marathons and a triathlon.  He loves to bird-watch and even has a favorite bird (the kingfisher). A testament to his mother, he loves reading and has even kept a record of every single book he’s read since high school (the total currently stands at 916, and counting). He is a devoted father to his only daughter, who is currently serving on a two-year mission in Bolivia, working in university ministries. He is a founding member of “Water of Life”, a water-based ministry serving Guatemala, Honduras, Africa, and more. He finds great inspiration from Psalm 54:4, “Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the sustainer of my soul.” 

 Me and Baxter.

This fall, Bob will be adding “faculty member” to his resume once more, teaching economics to our seniors, in addition to his administrative duties.

What's the point?

I am sure that you have asked yourself at some point, "does all this effort to send my child to a private, Christian school really pay off?" Or perhaps at some point you have tried to explain your decision to friends, family or neighbors who ask, "so, why do you send your child to a private, Christian school?" We ask these same questions here at SFCS: why do parents choose to send their children to Shannon Forest? More importantly, why should parents choose to send their children to Shannon Forest? It is these types of questions which allow us to continually evaluate and better our school, and ultimately our students.

Obviously, we talk about standardized test and SAT scores. Clearly, we examine college acceptance rates and trends. But even as important as these indicators are, they are not the most important measurements of true student success. Our mission at SFCS states that we will "equip and challenge students to influence culture and society for Jesus Christ." Ultimately, we are concerned about more than academic preparation; we are concerned with the type of person we graduate. Can we, in partnership with parents and the local church, equip and challenge young students to influence culture and society for Jesus Christ?

Recently, I have come across local and national articles discussing the efforts that both public and private secular schools are taking to prepare their students to graduate as "nice", "good", or even "moral" people. This may sound like the same vision as SFCS upon first glance, but upon closer examination, one realizes that is not the same at all. The recurring theme in the efforts of these other schools is a belief that the key to success is the production of moral, virtuous students. Again, this idea looks an awful lot like the mission of our school, but in truth, it is merely a cheap counterfeit. The essential difference between our mission and theirs is that they are attempting to produce virtuous young adults through a worldview that says ‘there is no God’, ‘there is no absolute truth’, and subsequently, no real right or wrong. They have no authority on which to base their efforts and in the end it is merely secular humanism.

Further investigation shows that by and large this approach fails. Check any longitudinal study, any Gallup Poll, any Barna Group Study and you will find a continual degradation of values. Of course, this makes sense when you take into account the fact that no one ever seems to be able to agree upon their values. Best case scenario, this approach will produce a "moralistic, therapeutic deist", as introduced in Soul Searching:"The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers" by Christian Smith and Melinda Lundquist Denton. So, what makes SFCS any different? Godly men and women, skilled in their craft, who daily have the opportunity to speak unique Biblical truth into the lives of our students. Does it make a difference? I believe so, and so do the majority of our graduates. In fact, over 90% of our recent graduates have said that SFCS not only prepared them for college, but also prepared them spiritually for life. 

If you really want to answer the question, 'why do you send your child to a private, Christian School?' then I recommend two actions: firstly, get involved with our school and see firsthand the reasons why we do what we do. Secondly, check out this informative study conducted by a Canadian research group on American schools, private secular versus private Christian. 

 

This study, the largest of its kind, clearly shows the differences between the stated goals and actual results of the various types of schools available in the United States. I am convinced that if you take the time to complete both steps one and two, you will know without a doubt why you choose to send your child to SFCS.

What about blog?

Well, I have decided to do something that I said I would never do: blog. That whole "never say never" thing sure shows up a lot. So, why a blog? The compelling reason is because we really desire to have a school by design, and we talk a lot about how to accomplish this goal. This blog will hopefully provide insight into the thoughts and motivations behind this design. I will not attempt to cover everything that happens at Shannon Forest. Instead, topics will range from the vision for the school, trends in education and society, any and everything about impacting our students, the latest read, and maybe even some lessons on running. So, stay tuned. There's plenty more to come.