Christian schools exist not simply to provide an academic alternative but to shape young lives in the likeness of Christ. While students are the most visible focus, the health of any Christian school depends deeply on the spiritual vitality of its faculty. Ephesians 6 tells us that Christians must put on the whole armor of God, because we are involved in spiritual warfare. Administrators, therefore, are called not only to manage and lead but also to shepherd. Discipling faculty is not optional—it is essential. The question is not if administrators should disciple their teachers, but how they should do so in a way that honors Christ, strengthens the school, and equips staff to pass on the faith to the next generation.

Why Discipling Faculty Matters

1. Teachers Set the Tone for Students
   Students often imitate what they see in their teachers more than what they hear in chapel messages. A faculty member whose walk with Christ is vibrant will naturally model faithfulness, joy, and integrity. Conversely, a teacher who is spiritually stagnant cannot pour into students what they do not possess themselves. Administrators who invest in discipling faculty indirectly disciple every student in the school.

2. Spiritual Care Prevents Burnout
   Teaching in a Christian school carries unique burdens: long hours, high expectations, and the tension of balancing academic rigor with spiritual mission. Without regular encouragement and accountability, faculty can easily grow weary. Discipleship provides a structure for spiritual nourishment, helping teachers remain rooted in Christ and resilient in ministry.

3. Alignment with Mission
   A Christian school’s mission is only as strong as the people carrying it out. Discipling faculty ensures that the daily classroom environment reflects the school’s biblical convictions. This alignment protects the integrity of the school and builds trust with parents and churches who depend on it to nurture children in the faith.

Practical Ways Administrators Can Disciple Faculty

1. Model a Shepherd’s Heart
   Discipleship begins with example. Administrators who humbly walk with Christ, openly acknowledge their dependence on God, and treat staff with gentleness establish a culture of discipleship without saying a word. Teachers need to see that their leader is not merely a manager of tasks but a shepherd of souls.

2. Create Rhythms of Scripture and Prayer
   Faculty meetings should be more than calendar updates. Begin with time in God’s Word and meaningful prayer, not as a perfunctory ritual but as the heartbeat of the gathering. Consider working through a book of the Bible together as a faculty or assigning Scripture memorization that can be recited as a team. These rhythms help remind teachers that their ultimate work is spiritual.

3. Provide Intentional One-on-One Encouragement
   Administrators should carve out time to meet individually with faculty members—not only to review performance but also to ask spiritual questions: How are you doing in your walk with the Lord? What is God teaching you? How can I pray for you and your family? Such questions communicate care and provide accountability. Even brief, regular check-ins can create opportunities for deeper discipleship conversations.

4. Organize Faculty Discipleship Groups
   Teachers benefit from learning and growing together. Small discipleship groups—perhaps by grade level or subject area—can study Scripture, share burdens, and pray together weekly. Administrators can participate directly or raise up spiritually mature teachers to lead these groups. This shared journey builds community and ensures no one is walking alone.

5. Invest in Professional and Spiritual Development
   Discipleship is not only about spiritual encouragement but also about equipping teachers to serve faithfully in their calling. Provide resources that integrate biblical worldview with pedagogy. Send teachers to conferences where they can be sharpened both in skill and in soul. Celebrate growth not just in classroom outcomes but in evidence of Christlikeness.

6. Celebrate Faithfulness, Not Just Performance
   In the pressure of school operations, administrators can easily focus only on test scores, discipline statistics, or enrollment numbers. Yet discipleship requires celebrating fruit that cannot always be measured on a spreadsheet—faithful endurance, sacrificial love, answered prayers, or evidence of a teacher ministering to a struggling student. Recognition of spiritual victories encourages teachers to persevere.

7. Cultivate a Culture of Confession and Grace
   Teachers, like students, will stumble. Discipleship means creating an atmosphere where repentance is welcomed and grace abounds. Administrators who respond to failure with restoration rather than condemnation reflect Christ’s heart and keep the community gospel-centered. This culture teaches staff—and by extension, students—that the Christian life is not about perfection but about ongoing transformation.

The Ripple Effect of Faithful Discipleship

When administrators disciple their faculty, the impact extends far beyond the school walls. Teachers carry renewed strength and joy into their classrooms, shaping students who then influence their homes, churches, and communities. Parents notice when teachers radiate Christlikeness, and they gain confidence in the school’s mission. Churches see the fruit of members who were discipled not only in Sunday services but also in daily vocational contexts. Ultimately, discipling faculty strengthens the entire Christian ecosystem.

Conclusion

The role of a Christian school administrator is demanding, but at its heart, it is pastoral. Administrators are not simply CEOs of an educational enterprise; they are shepherds of a teaching staff entrusted with eternal souls. By discipling faculty through modeling, Scripture, prayer, encouragement, training, and grace, administrators help ensure that the mission of Christian education remains vibrant and faithful. The call is clear: invest in your teachers spiritually, and the impact will multiply into the lives of countless students for generations to come.