Two of the most important institutions in the world are the churches and the Christian schools. As matter of fact, most communities have at least a church and school. Since our right to education and our right to worship are the cornerstone of our experiences, these institutions have greatly shaped a significant amount of our culture. Both churches and schools are, therefore, deeply interested in helping people work towards better character and wholeness.
Principles that should guide the church and the Christian schools
• The Christian school should be part and parcel of the church.
• The Christian school marriage to the church must be cultivated, exemplified, and guarded by the pastor.
• The staff and the pastor must totally be involved in the activities of the school but must also not seek to manage or run it.
• The pastor must lead the church leaders, church staff, and church members to play the role of servants towards the school.
• The pastor must cultivate an edifying relationship with the Christian school community.
• The pastor must pray earnestly, personally and continually for the school staff, students, administrators, school decisions and school families.
How they can work together
Role of the school towards the churches
Community awareness- Christian schools can offer churches an opportunity to understand the challenges affecting the community. By working with the local staff, students, and families, churches can learn more and seek different ways to be more engaged in the development of the community.
Compassion and understanding- Christian schools can give members a good understanding of justice and compassion. Although you may not be able to fully understand poverty knowing children who struggle can help church members understand the issues better thereby grow in their compassion. With compassion, there will be a quest for justice.
Sustained missional engagement- While short term missions are good, there is something that happens when a church makes a long-term commitment towards a school within its community. There are a number of people whose lives have changed because they decided to serve the students daily.
Role of the church towards the school
Volunteers– Churches can offer schools human resources through the work of passionate volunteers. They can serve as classroom assistants, after-school volunteers, mentors among others. They can provide encouragement, support, and learning to pupils in a committed way.
Community support– Churches can also serve as advocates for the schools. Since there is power in the numbers, churches can have real impacts by solving the community’s problems. By working together with schools, churches can demonstrate that communities can have mutually beneficial relationships even in today’s society.
Resources– Churches can offer school materials resources. These may be donations of food, clothing and other durable things. Remember, churches are filled with people who are not only generous but also driven by faith. They can also offer financial help to those with special needs and even fund special programs among others.
Currently, most churches have started to move towards direction and many have partnered with the schools for many years. Relationships between schools and churches are a natural progression towards a meaningful engagement. Yes, churches and Christian schools can work together.