Culture Making, Pancakes, and a New Principal

Five years ago I borrowed a copy of Andy Crouch's Culture Making from a friend. The book explores the ways people of faith have impacted culture throughout history. Its pages survey art, architecture, history, and religion. I enjoyed reading the book and discussing its ideas with my wife and friends. Five years later, after completing my first year as a principal, I can't help but reflect on the ways the book influenced my view of leadership.

Here are four takeaways from the book that are worth considering.

1.) We should all be engaged in the act of making, not criticizing, culture.
2.) Real culture making occurs at the level of individual relationships.
3.) The most valuable culture making is motivated by concern for, and a desire to elevate, the most vulnerable.
4.) Food is important. Crouch's love of omelettes and lentils serve as personal illustrations of his micro level culture making.

I'm often guilty of stretching intellectual arguments for activities that are mostly for fun, but I think Culture Making justifies one of my favorite practices, making chocolate chip pancakes to celebrate the achievements, large and small, of students.  Favorite breakfasts include new students and the students who made special efforts to make them feel welcome. My vision of an effective school is one that functions much like a family. I'm not sure how effective I am at steering culture school wide, but I hope the pancake breakfasts help point the rudder in the right direction.

Many voices offer advice to school leaders on shaping culture. Culture Making places the need for culture makers in a broader historical context, making the work even more essential. Crouch, who holds a Master of Divinity from Boston University, makes the case in a way that is intellectually and spiritually stimulating.