Equipping

Public schools typically represent a microcosm of the larger society. As in society as a whole, we find diverse interests looking for a voice with constitutional protections that provide them an outlet. A few schools have gone the route of stifling all non-curricular voices on campus, but for those that have not, the voice of Christianity has the same right of acceptance as any other. The youth of our ministries should be encouraged to gather with others at their schools through formal organizations, such as the FCA and other Christian fellowship clubs. Likewise, they should be encouraged to take advantage of events or ministry opportunities, such as See You at the Pole or The Souper Bowl of Caring.

These organizations and events provide structure and opportunities for students to plug in and engage in Christian efforts. For students in schools without such organizations, youth ministers can be great resources for helping students initiate local chapters. Even in schools that deny non-curricular clubs the right to meet, we can still equip students to exercise their right to gather by providing spaces and supervision for these clubs that cannot conduct their business on school grounds.

Many young people across the world have set examples of involvement that can inspire our youth. Sharing these stories of teenagers making a difference in their communities and schools can provide students with the motivation to do kingdom work outside of their churches. In our community, a group of students led a drive to collect for Operation Christmas Child, gathering donated shoe boxes and praying over them at the school flagpole before sending them across the world. Most communities will have similar stories, and in our world today, we find many stories from Zach Hunter to the Harris twins that we can hold up to our youth as models.

Encouraging

We also should encourage our students to live among others with a Christ-like attitude, especially within the walls of their schools. Our ministries should provide community in which loving adults can hear the struggles and difficulties our students face and guide them in the proper way. Students should understand the strength of their witness in their relationships with teachers and peers.

By definition, students are in a subservient position, under the authority of others while at school. In this position, it becomes easy to play the role of rebel or victim. As their mentors we must encourage them to stand up for themselves while still practicing Christian submission. Encouraging students to maintain a proper respect for authority balanced with consistent adherence to the principles of their faith will serve them well in school and beyond.

A typical student probably has more opportunities each day than he or she realizes to practice his or her faith and share it with others. As a teacher, I am troubled by the lack of respect students in school give to our daily moment of silence. In our state, students are given time each day for silent reflection. Quieting students who continue to talk can be a burden, especially when those students are professing Christians. I do not doubt their faith, but schools cannot instruct students on how to use this quiet time; unless instruction comes from parents and ministers, many students never make the connection.

With all the talk of taking God out of the schools, we should remember God is present everywhere. As long as Christian teachers and students reflect a Christ-like attitude, God will be known within the schools, as well.

The task of all education, coming from church or school, is to prepare students to navigate life on their own. By preparing students to live out a life of faith in their school environment, away from the comfort of our ministries, we are beginning the process of life-long Christian formation of our charges.