Do Christian schools train kingdom oriented individuals?
Am I qualified to speak on such a topic? Perhaps, here are my credentials: I went to two small Christian elementary and high schools (3rd-12 grades). Upon graduating from a class size of 33 students I went to Grove City College. Currently I now teach at Trinity Christian School in Pittsburgh, PA. Does Grove City train kingdom agents? Yes, if anyone has any knowledge of that institution the answer is a resounding yes. But what I am specifically referring to are the local Christian high schools.
As a teacher it is my goal to see students develop and mature into passionate individuals not only for Jesus but also his bride and mission. Every lecture, every discussion, quiz, assignment, and test has that as the ultimate goal. I want to answer a resounding yes!! But often Christian schools do not.
A common objection to Christian school of children is the claim that parents want to raise missionaries; the best place they, in their wisdom, see that happening is in the public school. (Sorry to say this- that is not how this works.) So the most “kingdom” oriented families send their kids to the public school system. But for the parents who send their kids to a Christian school they do so because they want to see their child walk with the Lord; their focus is on personal faith and conversion versus his mission. So a simple answer to why Christian schools don’t train kingdom oriented kids is because the students there aren’t taught a kingdom focus. I may try to do so but does the student’s local church and their parents do that?
Another thing: the Christian school can be a missional place. It is not the church. Instead it is a “third space” for where nonbelievers and believers can gather together and study God’s creation and his Word. Studying is done in the context of community and mission (every teacher views Christian schooling as a ministry and opportunity to point people to Jesus and the church).
Can you explain a bit further about your statement:
A common objection to Christian school of children is the claim that parents want to raise missionaries; the best place they, in their wisdom, see that happening is in the public school. (Sorry to say this- that is not how this works.)
I do not have any kids and have been thinking about this issue lately. Why do you think that this doesn’t work?
Thanks for swinging by Evan.
When I was in college most believers there objected to Christian education on the grounds that it did not prepare you to be an effective missionary. My claim is that parents, the local church, and the school must all share the same vision. That is not the case. The same is true for public school: public education directly conflicts with Christianity by presenting, implicitly and explicitly, a worldview antithetical to that of Scripture. For example, public schools these days must present science in such a way conflicts with religion and theism. A major lie. If there are psychology classes, the same is true.
I am not judging individual teachers, instead I am judging public school as a general institution. Even if there are Christian public school teachers, and I know many, they are restricted in gospel proclamation in their vocation.
Does that help?
Yeah that makes sense. But if the parent or other mentor in the kid’s life is counteracting the worldview with a Christian one then that student could discern true and false for him/herself. This might only be possible until adolescence but it could work if a parent or mentor is really involved in the students curriculum and asking the right questions. But I see that this would be incomplete most of the time so giving him a chance to has a solid Christian worldview all throughout school would be ideal. Sorry to get you off subject… I am interested in how Christian schools can produce Kingdom minded students too!
The frustrating reality is that 50% of all born again high schoolers leave their faith once they get to college. As a teacher of primarily churched kids families nor churches focus on the larger questions of life. Most churches focus on morals and putting faith in Jesus- both important things.
However what about the personal issues of life and faith? Counseling is a huge part of being a teacher. A colleague shared with me today that is the reason why we become teachers- to be a mentor. A lot of students get their mentors from school.
Christian education can do what other schools can’t. We can show an integrated worldview lived out: in terms of art, dance, science, math, history, computer and technology, grammar and language, etc. In that setting this model can demonstrate the superiority of the Christian faith- an act that does require the teacher of other belief systems. However, when done honestly, the teacher discerns and evaluates those worldviews.
So where is the gospel oriented counseling or the defense of the faith in the public school setting? It is not there. But that is where students receive their true education. Students have mentors at home, church, neighborhood (and thank God for that) and while they trust and respect their mentors, society does not set up parents to be the authority figures, teachers are- a sad reality.
With all that said Christian education is the better alternative to public schooling to produce kingdom oriented agents. That is possible in other settings, but as a general rule it’s the best.