The subtitle of my book reads: “A New Paradigm for Christians in Education.” I think this is an important distinction that I don’t want to go unnoticed.
This is not simply a book for those in Christian schools.
Lately, the public education system in the US has been getting bashed by Christians left and right. There have been calls from several high-profile Christian leaders for believers to pull their children from institutions of public instruction and either put them in private schools or homeschool them. They argue that the system has been so polluted by evil that no good can come from it. Other Christians respond that we need to have our kids in the system so they can be salt and light… how can there be good in the system if we abandon it. The debate rages on… mostly centered on our kids.
In their own way both sides are correct. There is great need for reform in the public school system. Our kids do need to be protected from some bad things in the world until they are mature enough to have discernment. But, how will the system ever be transformed if Christians leave it.
Reforming education, being salt and light in this darkening place, is not the place for unsupported children. <click to tweet>
I’m not saying Christian children should or should not be in public schools. I am saying that if they are in public schools it is imperative that their parents are very vigilant in supporting them.
Transforming education is the work of mature adults.
Some of the most misunderstood, maligned, unsupported, missionaries in Christendom today are the believers working in public education. They work an incredibly hard job. They must walk an incredibly fine line in sharing their beliefs and showing love to their students, being salt and light. They are more at risk by being believers in their professions than I have been as a believer teaching in communist China. They are not respected enough for the work they do… and they do it anyway because that’s where God has called them to serve.
The teachers I have worked with who were the absolute best at Biblical integration (though they would not know the term) were/are public school teachers. They integrate faith daily without even being able to mention scriptures.
This is what we need to fix “the system”… not fewer Christians in the classrooms but more. We need believers working to transform our schools from the inside. They need to be in classrooms showing the gospel through their grace and love for their students who are thirsting for it. They need to be working with a unified focus and they need (NEED!) to be supported by their local churches
We all need to be working together. I believe we can do this. I wouldn’t have written my book otherwise.
The calling to be a teacher, whether in public or private schools is massive. Teachers hold the keys to the belief system of the future generations. Believers need to be holding those keys. <click to tweet>
There is far more about this unified focus and how we can all work together
in my book available here
or through the other links on the site.
Lind Kardamis
Love this phrase: Transforming education is the work of mature adults. So important & so true. Teaching is such an important profession – whether God calls you to a Christian, private, or public school.
I definitely believe we need to do more to support all Christian teachers, and those in public schools, especially, need help knowing how to be bold & make a difference. Thanks for the work you’re doing. I’m enjoying your book & am excited to finish it.
Eric Reenders
Thanks Linda
I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts when you finish reading.