Let me remind us why I am writing these entries. Back in January I challenged our church that as we look around the globe and especially our own nation, the foundations are crumbling morally, ethically, spiritually, intellectually, politically, financially and personally. We could just sit and complain OR we can determine what is the problem and attempt to make some positive steps to see change occur in our lifetime. As I worked on my list of failures both nationally and in the evangelical world – I wrote today’s issue and felt a strange burning in my heart. Absolutely we must admit that one of the failures in the last 30 years as Christians has been our absence in the public school. As both teachers…parents….students…coaches…supporter…school board members…PTA supporters!!! Our influence being absence has been felt for a long time and will continue IF we do nothing!
Let me explain….about 30 years ago, to be specific, the early 1970’s Christians leaders saw the power of humanism in the educators of public school and decided to provide an alternative. Consider history….prayer and the Bible removed; drugs on the rise; sexual revolution and sex education being taught….oh yeah let’s not forget – BUSSING. Shamefully I have to tell the truth one of the main reasons Christian schools began was the intergration of the school through bussing. Heartbreaking!!!!
I can understand the thinking behind the Christian school movement, but to be honest I think it is an attempt to keep young people away from bad influences was a mistake. But it also caused parents to relinquish their spiritual responsibilities of being parents and lead to many students being less involvement in the local church. All that to be said that Christians pulled out of the public school and left the schools in the hands of humanistic, liberal teachers (for the most part --- and worst in some regions more then others). Where we should have stayed and fought the fight, still influencing our kids and raising them in the fear and admonish of the Lord. Instead we reacted, pulled the kids out and isolated from the public school thus losing our influence.
I think there was a even more heinous sin….the discouraging of committed Christians to go into the public school teaching professions. I remember hearing well intentioned Christians speak poorly of young people who wanted to teach in the PS. We de-motivated a legion of devoted Christians from going into public school teaching and having a righteous influence with students. Look they can not teach Biblical principles, but they can teach with integrity the whole of our nation’s heritage and discuss the positive influence that Christianity had on the nation. Look our nation is founded on “Judeo-Christian values” – how about having a teacher who extols those values in positive tones then having a teacher despise them and makes their distain known through illustration, tonal inflection and facial expression. More is caught then taught, this is how our public education has negative influenced out children. Thomas Jefferson said one of the things he feared about the separation of church and state was that religious sects/churches would go off and isolate themselves from the rest of society, forming their own schools etc. He understood that what made America great was having a righteous influence woven into our fabric. Not dictating the direction – thus being a theocracy – but influencing.
I suggest that if possible (meaning if the school is not so bad that it is more like a war zone0 Christians should SERIOUSLY and prayerfully consider public school for their kids. They should be involved – class mom/dad….go on field trips, join PTO, start a “Mom’s in Touch” Group…. We should be running for school board (I tried…check out my other blog on that) – nevertheless – we should be apart of the leadership of the school. And most definitely – we need committed Christians as public school teachers. A matter of fact, I believe we should have a “Public School Teachers Fellowship” at our churches. Where we can encourage, instruct, support and pray for their unique and powerful ministry.