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 court once again the long-lost companion of the church : weekday Christian worldview education .
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 solid biblical foundation for children . When we see it as our responsibility to ensure that the children in our ministry love and know God , it will change our view of weekday education .
We must understand the power of weekday education .
An average church-going child spends approximately 104 hours a year at church and 1,400 hours in school . There ’ s no question which of these will influence our child ’ s life most . Our children ’ s weekday education should complement , not contradict , our discipleship efforts on Sunday . There are many ways to get involved and strengthen the local efforts in our communities for weekday Christian 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 facilities for programs or athletics . Most of us cannot start a school , but we can help an existing 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 are 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 . If you are looking for help in launching a school , RenewaNation has the resources to help you launch effectively .
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 . ■
Troy Keaton has been the senior pastor of EastLake Community Church in Moneta , Virginia , since its founding in 2005 . In 2015 , EastLake Community Church assumed leadership of a struggling Christian school and helped it grow from 34 students to more than 500 students in 2022 . Troy and his wife , Janel , have four children and several grandchildren . He is passionate about knowing God and doing something significant in God ’ s kingdom .
Is God calling you to launch a Christian school , but you don ’ t know where to begin ?
We can help you quickly launch a learning center micro-school and reduce operational costs by 50- 75 percent . Through iLumenEd Academy , your school can offer students fully accredited diplomas , have highly qualified Christian teachers , and provide a biblical worldview curriculum .
If you want to launch a traditional brick-and-mortar school and use your own teachers and curriculum , RenewaNation can guide you through the process by helping you understand and implement the key components necessary to start a Christian school successfully .
Contact us today to begin your journey of reaching this generation with a thoroughly biblical worldview education .
Ron Gordon ∙ 540-890-8900 ron @ renewanation . org
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