My school years were far from “Happy Days.” I grew up with a simmering prejudice against public schools that preoccupied my early life until that day in June 1974 when I received my high-school diploma and got on with my life.
This prejudice reared its head recently when I walked into our local high school for a meeting with administrators, teachers and counselors. The sights, sounds and smells of the school stirred up unpleasant memories from 35 years ago.
Such personal prejudices often are inflamed by arrogant us-versus-them attitudes that some youth workers hold. After all, God is on our side. Educators can’t hold a candle to our depth and level of skill and understanding. Yes, I was being arrogant, ignorant and stupid.
Christians of my generation can recite the culture war battles at schools, including Supreme Court decisions on prayer and Bible reading, as well as struggles over “Holiday Programs.”
By the 1980s, some in youth ministry sought to bypass such prohibitions by hosting anti-drug assemblies, motivational speakers and multi-media shows at schools. However, was it ethical to offer non-sectarian presentations during school hours only to invite students to gospel presentations at night? Some of us felt justified because of our “higher calling,” but some of us were really liars and opportunists.
Lessons Learned
Thankfully, my erroneous assumptions have been shattered as I’ve taken time to listen to the hearts and concerns of teachers and administrators. Now I see that youth workers and educators can and must work together rather than against one another. We must reach out and make connections in a spirit of love and service, not contention and competition.
Today I’m spending more time in schools training and talking to teachers, administrators, counselors and students. While the stimuli trigger a flood of memories that still makes me nervous, I’m shedding my outmoded biases. Through it all I’ve gained six time-tested nuggets of wisdom I would ask you to consider as you seek to honor and glorify God through your relationships with educators.
First, the whole world is really messed up (
Second, we all care about kids. I have yet to meet a youth worker who got into youth ministry for the money. Most of us do it because God called us to love and serve kids. Likewise, I’ve yet to meet a teacher or administrator who’s in it for the money. Most educators are like us, answering a calling to contribute to the betterment of society.
While many school districts have taken heat from Christians who think addressing issues such as sexuality, violence, character formation and abuse should be left to parents, it’s because families have dropped the ball that they have stepped into the gap rather than let kids fall by the wayside. Otherwise, schools would be able to spend more time teaching and less time handling what other institutions should be doing.
Third, there are unique challenges to God’s order and design reflected in our schools but within individual school culture there are good and godly teachers and administrators who model and promote what is true, right and honorable. There are those who do not claim Christianity, yet they reflect the faith better than some Christ-followers!
To think otherwise is to deny the fact God is at work in society through common grace and general revelation. He restrains evil and promotes good through the institutions and people He has established in positions of authority, including those in schools. If you pay attention, you’ll be surprised at how much common ground exists.
Fourth, there’s a lot we can learn from those who serve our kids in public schools. I’ve learned to tap into the experience and education of faculty who are spending six or more hours a day with kids. By respecting their expertise and asking questions, I have learned more from them as an adult than as a child. They have taught me about how kids learn, adolescent development and character formation. Their access to kids gives them insight into how our culture is changing and the unique issues, problems, challenges and choices our kids face daily. While we don’t always agree, I’ve come to appreciate the wisdom and expertise of folks who equip me to be better at my calling.
Fifth, we can do a lot to support school staff, beginning with thanking them. Many are weary from constant criticism and the difficulties of working with students in a rapidly changing culture. Offer to come alongside with no agenda other than to encourage and support. Assume a Christlike posture of grace, humility, integrity, excellence and servanthood. Then volunteer in the classroom, on the playground, in the lunchroom or on the sidelines.
Our local school district eagerly has accepted my willingness to help as a classroom aide, reading helper, fieldtrip chaperone, recess aide, public address announcer, game-filmer, etc. The relationships built during the years have resulted in give-and-take with school officials, who now ask me for advice regarding the changing youth culture and how to respond. As a youth worker, you are uniquely positioned to do the same. Provide in-service education for the staff regarding a unique aspect of today’s youth culture and student experience, but don’t forget to respect the school’s boundaries; don’t abuse the trust you’re given.
Finally, pray for those who work in public schools. This is the greatest way to serve our schools. Intercede rather than criticize.
Being Salt and Light
In today’s world, God calls families to place kids in the school situation that is best for them. Christians never should write off public schools as no place to receive a quality education or for our redemptive presence.
When my son, Nate, was in elementary school, he asked if public schools were evil. “Where did you hear that?” I asked. “Ben told me,” he said. After some investigating, I discovered Ben was parroting what he had learned from his Christian-school family.
Not long after that, a controversy arose as members of that Christian school ran en masse for seats on the public school board, attempting to take control of our district and its policies. While they had a right to seek election, I was concerned about their motivation. Their faith was driving them to take control in order to send a message of condemnation rather than to serve gracefully as a redemptive presence. In the midst of the controversy, the message sent was that Christians believe “public schools are evil.”
Our lives and ministries must send a different message to a watching world: “No, public schools are not evil.” Like the rest of our fallen world, public schools are God’s playground, and He’s calling us to be salt and light there…just as He’s calling us to be everywhere else.
