School of Excellence

SOE+

A spirit of Excellence separates the best from the commonly acceptable, and resolutely resists the temptation to take the easier path to mediocrity. It recognizes the indisputable fact that the race for excellence has no finish line, but presents a continuous challenge that expands progressively before those who pursue it. The Spirit of Excellence propelled Daniel of Old Testament history to the position of Highest Honor and supreme influence in the greatest kingdom that has ever held world dominance in the earth.

The spirit of excellence motivated Solomon to build a ‘house for the Lord’ that awed the Queen of Sheba with its exquisite beauty and unparalleled splendor. The spirit of Excellence inspired a little know Italian craftsman to adopt for his motto: "Other men may make Violins, but no man shall make one better!…" and by that creed Antonio Stradivari, with his sons Francesco and Omobono, came to be renowned as the undisputed master of all violin makers.

Warner von Braun, head engineer of NASA’s space research and development for the Apollo 4 project, realized the absolute necessity of a spirit of excellence in the safe and successful advancement of space exploration. He explains it this way: "The Saturn 5 has 5,600,000 parts. Even if we had a 99.9 percent reliability, there would still be 5,600 defective parts. Yet the Apollo 4 mission flew a text-book flight with only two anomalies occurring, demonstrating a reliability of 99.9999 percent." If an average automobile with 13,000 parts were to have the same reliability, it would have its first defective part in about 100 years.

By comparison, U.S. auto manufactures have recurring re-calls of new cars that have been found to be defective in one way or another. What’s the bottom-line difference? NASA holds itself to a different standard of excellence. Their R&D teams simply work until the margin for error is virtually eliminated. Sure they have some of our countries best in that they are willing to go the extra mile, do it over again…. better…and keep stretching for that possible improvement, however slight the gain!

Am I advocating a zealous perfectionism that forfeits great gains for trivial enhancements? NOT AT ALL! What I am asking is that each of us determine to push ourselves toward the excellence that God’s work deserves in our respective areas of responsibility. After all, the spirit of God is the spirit of excellence! Every glimpse we have of God emanates His excellence. It’s inconceivable that God would initiate something shabby or mediocre. It contradicts the excellence of His character and being.

It stands to reason, then, that it is possible for us who represent Him to contradict the excellence of His character by allowing carelessness, apathy, or mediocrity in our individual endeavors. We’ve got to remember that we represent the God of excellence; and because we do, we are responsible to care more than others think is necessary, expect more than others think is reasonable, risk more than others think is comfortable, dream more than others think is practical, invest more than others think is appropriate, and hold ourselves to a higher standard than others think is essential!

Let’s live by the rule that, if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well! All that we do should be a reflection of the excellence of God, and such excellence will never be accidental, but is always the result of high intention, diligent effort, skillful execution, and relentless determination! So let’s ask the Spirit of Excellence to inspire us to be our very best in all we do!!!

Vision+

School of Excellence is a ministry of Family Life Church in Nampa, Idaho. The School is a two year program (3rd year invitation only) that is designed for you to encounter God and let Him into the practical areas of your life. To pursue excellence in your life and be authentic in your relationship with God and with others in your life. That pursuit and desire for true authenticity has to come from deep within you. It's not something we can access for you. We will facilitate, encourage, pastor and teach you but the fruit this year comes from how much you want to see God encounter you and cultivate the same spirit of excellence in your life that Daniel had. This school is for those who want to be authentic in their relationship with Jesus. God intends for you to live a life that is excellent in all areas.

Our vision is to equip students to walk in excellence in whatever arena God places them in. We absolutely believe in a new testament local church that effects all areas of society. Jesus called us to be the light of the world and to let our light shine before all men. Our heart is to see young adults rise to the challenge and live their life by biblical excellence rather than the culture's status quo.

"Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm."  

Daniel 6:3 (NKJV)

Calendar+

2009-2010 Calendar

School Ends:
May 14th, 2010

Graduation:
June 6th, 2010

Guest Teachers:  
Frank Damazio
Rachel Hixon
Jack Louman
Mark Estes
Poncho Lowder
Dick Iverson
Adam McCain 

2010-2011 Calendar

2nd Year: September 5, 2010 (Sunday Morning 8am Pre-service prayer)

1st Year: September 12, 2010 (Sunday Morning 8am Pre-service prayer)