As a pastor, I am aware of some of the reasons why we stay away
from week-day education. that the children in our ministry love and know God it will
change our view of week-day education.
It is easier to allow the public schools to educate our children. We must understand the power of week-day education. An
This cost us nothing. The facilities are adequate. The extra-
curricular activities are plentiful, and it seemingly allows
us to focus on our local church ministries. Furthermore, it
has become mainstream in the church to be in a committed
relationship with the public school. This relationship with
the public school creates another challenge for us as pastors. average church-going child spends approximately 104 hours
a year at church and 1,400 hours in school. There’s no ques-
tion which of these will have the most influence in our child’s
life. Our children’s week-day education should complement
not contradict our efforts of discipleship on Sunday.
There are many ways to get involved and strengthen the
local efforts in our communities for week-day Christian
education.
Our parishioners are often involved in the public school. Here is
the dilemma. Many of our parishioners are teachers, princi-
pals, superintendents or parents in the local public school.
Although many of these are serious Christians who are
being used by God to hold back the decay and shine the light
of Christ in a dark place, they often feel threatened when
we speak in favor of or try to support Christian education.
Regrettably, the sensitivity of this issue causes many pastors
to stay away from week-day Christian education.
We don’t know where to start. For many it is easy to remain
uninvolved in Christian education simply because we have
no idea how to get involved with it. We don’t have the facili-
ties to start a school. The kids in our church seem happy in
public school and the only Christian school is run by another
church. Sadly, it is not usually the practice of most churches
to support another church’s ministry.
For these reasons and many more, we stay uninvolved. We
keep to ourselves and hope that the hundreds of children for
whom we are spiritually responsible catch God’s view of this
world and develop a personal relationship with him through
a bible story, a sermon, a song or a summer camp.
Statistics tell us we are failing.
I have lived these realities in my personal life and have
dealt with these complex situations in the churches I have
pastored. I am writing today to encourage pastors to once
again court the long lost companion of the Church - week-
day Christian worldview education.
We can provide resources for local Christian schools. Include
it in your education budget. Scholarship a child from your
church. Support and strengthen the homeschoolers in your
church. Encourage your people to serve or volunteer. Speak
of it often and positively from the pulpit. Open your facili-
ties for programs or athletics.
Most of us cannot start a school, but we can help an exist-
ing school become a place where we can send the children
of our church.
Start a school. In some places the need, opportunity, and
call of God is to start a new Christian school. Although an
arduous task, the rewards are eternal and the benefits are
immeasurable.
The benefits for pastors and churches to have a strong
relationship with Christian schools are mutually fulfilling.
It expands our ability to disciple the children and families
of our church, impacting parents as well as children. It
provides opportunities for ministry and service. It helps
create a sense of community amongst believers. It unites
churches and enables us to fulfill the Great Commission.
My advice for this fractured relationship is similar to the
advice I would give to that couple sitting in my office. Sure
you’ve had problems, but God has put you together. He has
the grace to restore this relationship. And before you make
the decision to divorce, consider your children.
You may be thinking, but where do I begin?
It begins when we understand our responsibility to disciple
children. Second only to parents, the local church bears the
responsibility for providing a strong biblical foundation
for children. When we see it as our responsibility to insure
Troy Keaton has been a successful pastor and leader for more
than 20 years. Troy planted EastLake Community Church in
2006 in Moneta, Virginia and now leads a vibrant congrega-
tion of more than 400 people. He lives in Hardy, VA with his
lovely wife, Janel and their two boys. He is a recent father-of-the-
bride and has another daughter in college.
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