The Pledge

The years of early adolescence are tough. I do not know many that would like to relive those times. Most of us have lasting memories as we faced the challenge of discovering our God-given strengths when others were quick to point out our weaknesses. It is a difficult time!

Encouraging leadership development is foundational to mission of Penn Christian Academy. One of the great joys of participating in this process is having a front-row seat as students choose to step up to lead their peers. From the beginning of the process to select student government representatives (see Cultivating Leaders and Selecting Representatives), the young people expressed a clear desire to address the broken relationships that occur in the early adolescent years. Yet unlike what we will observe in our current national political season, these same young people acted on their pledge. In a recent chapel, the student government presented a challenge to their peers that culminated in each student signing the following pledge:

P	Patient – “Comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.”
L	Loving – “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
E	Encouraging Others – “Encourage one another and build each other up.”
D	Do for Others – “Serve one another humbly in love.”
G	Generous – “Whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
E	Excellent Attitude – “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”

While the signing a pledge does not change a heart, it does encourage a culture where positive peer pressure takes center stage. Much of the conflict among middle school students occurs outside the direct supervision of adults. The culture encouraged by the pledge provides a framework for students to hold each other accountable and make a positive difference with their classmates. Pray for these young people as they live this pledge in the troubled early teen years and commit to the pledge yourself to make a difference in your world.

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” Colossians 3:12-13