17 Aug A Word From Dr. Satterly—August 17, 2023
Dear WA Community,
With more than 50 years of Christian education to call upon, Westminster Academy is a school rich in tradition. Among them are special events that reflect the values of our school. The two most significant events are bookends of the school year. Our year begins with Convocation—a school community chapel and ends with Commencement—a community celebration of our graduates.
While every school experiences a first day of the year, Westminster Academy uniquely marks the beginning of each new school year with an opening chapel highlighting what makes our school unique. We experience community. We worship. We fellowship. We are reminded of our school’s mission. We dedicate the school year to God and seek His blessing. Convocation also allows us to introduce our theme for the year—Flourish. This year’s theme completes our progression from Firm Foundation, Rooted, and Cultivate.
At this point, perhaps I should define flourish. It can either be a noun or a verb. As a noun, it means a bold gesture to attract attention. But this use isn’t helpful in our context. As our theme, we want the verb use of flourish. This definition is to grow or develop (can you see the connection to rooted and cultivate?) in a healthy or vigorous way, especially as the result of a particularly favorable environment. In other words, to flourish means to function according to design.
Our theme is based on Ephesians 3:17–21. The biblical term reflected in these verses is shalom. This word points to the way things are supposed to be—to how God created the world. It is more than peace. More like cosmic harmony or, in Paul’s words in verse 19, “the fullness of God.” It is to this end that Christian schooling aims and ultimately contributes to the restoration of shalom.
We must recognize that to be human is to desire to flourish. This is so because we are made in the image of God. The desire to flourish fuels what theologians call the Dominion Mandate—God’s mission for us—to fill the earth and subdue it. Flourish is also the spark of creation—let us, God said, make man in our image. But because of the fall, our tendency and desire to flourish is defined according to our own whims, notions, and ideas, which are often contrary to God’s. The Bible’s big storyline follows this path. We call it creation, fall, and redemption. As we look back at the scripture, it is clear what Paul is saying—redemption comes from the love of Christ—first His love for us and then our response to that.
Westminster Academy’s mission is within the context of school, with all that such a Christian institution’s program includes—academics, arts, and athletics—to press students toward that chief end of man. Using the 16,000 hours afforded us, in the form of a Christ-centered, biblically-based college preparatory school, teach students about the chief end of man—to know God and enjoy Him forever. In the face of advancing humanist culture that urges children and families to embrace a chief end of man that looks to glorify man instead of God, we stand firm on the foundation of what Christ has done because we can stand nowhere else. We reject the emptiness the world offers and instead embrace the fullness of God.
To God be the Glory!
Dr. Joel Satterly
Headmaster