It's been estimated there are more than 600,000 Christian public school teachers who are educating more than 50 million American students. In most cases, the teachers spending many hours per week with your students could be your best allies in youth ministry. You just need to be aware of how to help them and how they can assist you.
After-school and before-school meetings are permissible on the school grounds. For example, in 2001 the Supreme Court said that a CEF Good News Club (Child Evangelism Fellowship) must be allowed to meet on campus like any other type of group meeting – and on the same basis. Therefore it is legal for a student ministry to meet before or after school, if the school allows other secular organizations to use the school campus. A group might meet as a breakfast club or an after-school pizza club at school.
High school teachers are in a most unique position. They are often the ones teens turn to for advice, for some TLC, or to talk to about life. These high school teachers are often the sponsors for on-campus Bible clubs and other youth activities. Do you know which teachers on your campus are Christians? If not, you may be missing an undisclosed advocate for your ministry.
So, how does one find out which teachers in a school are believers? Ask your teens! Most of them know who is or is not. Another way is to ask a Christian teacher on the campus. Do you know those who are teachers or school personnel in your church? Do you know what schools the teachers in your congregation serve? That would be a place to start.
Does your church see their teachers as missionaries? Why not encourage your church to have a special mission display with a photo of each teacher, administrator, or other school personnel, along with the schools they serve and a brief biographical sketch so your congregation can pray for them? Or, better yet, a church member or small group could adopt a specific educator for prayer, support, encouragement, and volunteerism.
Once you have identified the Christian teachers on campus, arrange a meeting with them to brainstorm how you can work together to impact the lives of students. While it is true, that as an agent of the state, a teacher may not lead in prayer at school during the school day or take an active leadership role in a campus club, there are a myriad of things they legally can do that will enhance your ministry.
I'm sure most of you are aware of the "4-14 Window" and the statistics regarding conversion. When the gospel is presented to a student between the ages of four and 14, thirty-two percent (32%) of them will make a commitment to Christ. After this age span, the percentage drops to a mere 6%. That tells me that we need to really be reaching freshman and middle school students. As you are aware it is tougher to keep an active role in your ministry for juniors and seniors once their cars, after school jobs, sports, and the arts take over their lives. Oh, yes: of course, dating adversely affects participation as well.
The breakfast club just might work, and if it is before or after school hours a teacher can be involved. The administration just has to understand that they don't own the teacher's private life. Will it be tested? Of course! But the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court has already ruled agreeably on this.
The classroom teacher is invaluable in suggesting which Christian kids in her or his class would be good on-campus youth leaders for a Christian club. That teacher will know who at school (students) can be a conduit for information to the campus. Many Christian teachers I know pray regularly, by name, for their students – and they would pray for you, too, if you make them aware of your needs.
I believe many Christian educators see their work as a "calling." They are not teaching for monetary gain. Instead, most likely, a teacher touched their life in some way and they decided to become an educator. Most teachers spend their own money to supplement what a school cannot provide.
Many, if not most Americans, including pastors and church leaders, think that prayer has been ruled out of public schools. The truth is the Supreme Court did not rule prayer out but only ruled that "agents of the state" could not lead in prayer. Kids can and do pray anytime and anywhere on school grounds.
There are numerous things an "agent of the state" can do legally. A teacher may:
- Answer a question about religion or their faith if a student asks.
- Tell students they are free to exercise their personal beliefs at school.
- May act as a school advisor for a Christian club.
- Incorporate religious music in school programs.
- Follow most state guidelines to teach "about" religion.
- Include religious material as long as there is a secular reason to do so.
- Use or reference the Bible in the classroom when appropriate.
There are many more things a teacher may do that are both legal and appropriate, especially in high schools. The older the student, the more leeway the educator has in instruction.
Be encouraged to find the Christian educators in your church and in the school(s) you serve as this new school year begins, and you will have access to the allies God has provided for your ministry.
For additional ideas and information, please feel free to email me at forrest@ceai.org. Please let me know if there are educators who are allies in your ministry….. I'd love to publish your story in our magazine "Teachers of Vision." See our website www.ceai.org for a sample online, or contact TOV@ceai.org.