“ Therefore what God has joined together , let no one separate .” Mark 10:9
A Broken Relationship
As a pastor , I often have the opportunity to discuss marriage issues with couples . I sit with two wonderful and talented people with a long history who have duplicated themselves in a couple of children . Despite having much in common and many reasons to stay together , the challenges they face lead them to consider divorce — those who have the greatest reason to stay in the relationship too often do not .
I have also been perplexed at another “ marriage made in heaven ” that often faces significant challenges : the local church and Christian school . During their long history together , the local church supported parents who
By Pastor Troy Keaton
would provide Christ-centered education for their children . About 50 years ago , a boom in Christian education took place as local churches began to start Christian schools . The fruit of this effort has been very significant as millions of students were given a biblical worldview through these schools .
However , today it seems that the local church is not nearly as interested in being a part of weekday Christian education . Although we have our weekly Bible story / snack time , which lasts for an hour or so , in many cases , the church has sought and been granted a divorce from the weekday discipleship of children .
As a pastor , I am aware of some reasons we stay away from weekday education .
It is easier to allow public schools to educate our children .
This cost us nothing . The facilities are adequate . The extracurricular 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 .
Our parishioners are often involved in the public school .
Here is the dilemma . Many of our parishioners are teachers , principals , superintendents , or parents in the local public school . Although many of these are serious Christians 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 weekday Christian education .
We don ’ t know where to start .
For many , it is easy to remain uninvolved in Christian education simply because we have yet to learn how to get involved . We don ’ t have the facilities to start a school . The kids in our church seem happy in public school , and another church runs the only Christian school . 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 , sermon , song , or summer camp . Statistics tell us we are failing .
44 THE RENEWANATION REVIEW