Over the years people have asked many questions concerning giving to the Center's mission.

Here are a few Q and A:

Why should I support a private school? Parents who go there should pay their own way!

Remember the Center is much more than just a school! Even if you don't believe in Christian education, your dollars go to support so many other programs, such as the counseling ministry, pregnancy resource center support, work with seniors, adult education, and the investments the Center makes in the community. However, the real answer needs to flow from what the mission of the school is. It is to provide a distinctly Christian education. Everyone talks worldview. CCS facilitates it every day in the life of students. We cannot hope to experience Christianity by thinking about it but we must live it. Investment in CCS is a way for the Christian community and others to say, "We believe (and therefore invest) in a school that promotes a Christian world view."

What about everyone paying their own way?

Even if every student at CCS paid $7000 a year, that would not even begin to cover all of the costs of education. Tuition high enough to cover buildings, athletic fields, full teacher's salaries, as well as other things would be so high that many people in our area would not consider it, let alone pay for it. There is a reason that the average cost of tuition per public school student is a little over $14,000 a year. However, we do require people to pay what portion of the cost that they can afford to pay. There is no such thing as tuition that is not a sacrifice at CCS. It just literally isn't enough, even with reduced staff salaries, and other expenses. Over 50% of our families are eligible for the Federal free and reduced lunch program.

Why doesn't the Center just cut back on staff or salaries?

I have heard the Center described as a great investment of donations. That is a good description! ALL of our staff are pressed to accomplish and utilize every resource they have. We simply cannot offer services in the Name of Christ that are not high quality. We leverage everything that we can to accomplish what we do. As far as reducing pay, you can go to our employment page online to see what people make at the Center. I think that page speaks for itself. All of our staff make significantly less than their peers in the public arena. However, that is not our goal. Our goal is to pay our workmen as they are worthy of their wages. 

The Center seems like it just drains funds from our community, always asking for resources.

The Center is a significant employer and provider of services in the area. We are one of the largest organizations in terms of full and part time employees as a small business in our area. There are many heads of households that work here. Many families have moved to the area to be employed here and bring their families to use our services. The Center regularly supports local events, organizations, churches, and businesses as a part of its outreach and service to the communities we serve. Think about the local tax dollars, service dollars, etc. that are impacted because of the Center being here. Our symbiotic relationship with the community is a vital resource to not only be supported, but to support our local area.

I just can't give, I really am not wealthy.

The Bible is very clear about responsibility being proportional to resources. To whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48). The Lord has blessed us as a nation and personally. We believe that we are His stewards of those blessings and should give to His ministries as He leads. We often talk about this in our annual campaigns to give what God has enabled you to give (which usually seems to be a little bit of a stretch for all of us.) We endeavor to be good stewards of His resources here at the Center. We believe that if we give of ourselves, and step out in faith to help others, that God will bless the Center.