YWJ: What are some common youth ministry attitudes or practices that actually hinder partnerships with schools?

Paul: Prepackaged ideas, such as motivational speakers, curricula or musicians we present to schools when we think we understand their needs, actually limit us. Also, an isolationist view that says we have to do it all and cannot partner with anyone else—that’s more about conquest than partnership. A lack of understanding of what teachers really need is detrimental, as is the fear of not knowing what to do. If most youth workers were given the opportunity to go inside a school, they wouldn’t know what to do. Traditionally, we train youth pastors how to teach in church—not outside of it. If youth workers feel ill-equipped to minister in schools, they won’t.

Chris: Often we want to do the very thing I tell the churches not to do—start a Bible club or hold an outreach—things that don’t really help the relationship. It becomes adversarial because you’re trying to bring your program into the schools instead of trying to build that relationship with them. Secondly, there are still youth ministries holding the belief their primary place of ministry is inside the church. That’s a bad paradigm because it’s not the way the world works anymore.

YWJ: How would you respond to youth workers who voice concerns about having to tone down the explicitly Christian nature of their work in order to partner with schools? What legal issues do youth workers need to be aware of as they establish partnerships with schools?

Paul: This is a process that takes a long time. We have to lead people on a journey. There were certain restrictions to which Jesus adhered, but He provoked questions. Jesus also turned questions around to get back to the real issue. We don’t have to compromise; we just have to learn to teach in a way that leads to conversations.

Will: Never try to play tough with the administration when it comes to “student rights” and your presence on campus. It’s their responsibility to be gatekeepers. You need to be an asset to them, not a liability. The gospel is more show than tell. If the opportunity to bring up issues of faith presents itself, take it. However, never force discussions about your faith or make it a condition of your service to the school.

John: Realize a variety of strategies are sometimes necessary to introduce students to Jesus. Paul recognized that need on Mars Hill, so we can recognize the validity of subtle approaches at local schools. Once relationships are formed, there will be plenty of opportunities for witnessing, prayer and discipleship. Students typically want authentic relationships and friendship before anything else.

Chris: It’s important to be aware there is an official separation of church and state. It’s equally important to realize churches have been working with schools for a long time. There are ways to do that without violating any laws.

YWJ: What else should we know about this issue?

Paul: The tide is turning. We need to worry less about the politics of getting into schools. If we can do our part well, schools will open to us and we can successfully build bridges between them and our churches.

Will: We need to expand our view from “ministry at the school” to “ministering to the school.” Campus ministry is more than grabbing lunch with kids on or near campus. Making mealtime our main focus of campus ministry can be seen with skepticism by administrators who feel we’re only there to proselytize. Our involvement should be more than just encouraging our teens’ participation in a school Bible club.

Chris: There is tremendous need for partnerships between churches and schools. Churches actually can make a huge difference in their local schools. Successful partnerships between churches and schools also benefit the churches in big ways. The church is healthier because the partnership gives opportunities for everyone to be involved in the work of the church in a meaningful way. It moves people from the pews to serve and engages them in living out the gospel.

Suggested Resources:

2020 Vision:

http://jeremydelrio.com/blog/

Pais Project:

http://www.paisproject.com/

2020 Vision – Chicag

http://visionnehemiah.homestead.com/