David Fisher commented on my last post about a church near his home that, although they had the finances together to build a Christian School, God had other plans. In David's words, he presents, what I believe, is a prime example of missional faith-in-action. Here it is:
David said... There's a church near here that is extremely missional and they were large enough and had enough money to start a Christian school.
After much debate they decided they would spend the money and resources on investing into the local public school system, not to bully around, but to be missional.
Now they have parents volunteering, working, building relationships, and praying for the school system, the teachers, and the students. They have a respected say in the community and are seen not as antagonists, but partners in working together to educate their children.
They provide positive influence and insight that not only help their kids, but all the kids in the district.
It doesn't always work that way, but isn't it worth a try?
Yes, David, I concur--it is most certainly worth a try. And I might add that I can think of few ministries that would be more fulfilling for an educator with a missional heart than to teach in the public school system. Of course, I believe he or she should have the full spiritual and emotional support and blessing of their missional fellowship, as it would not be easy to go it alone. But, imagine a public school full of teachers who, rather than proselytizing, simply were the hands and feet of Jesus, exuding compassion, unconditional love, grace and wisdom to the school community. I am imagining. :)
4 comments:
Interesting thoughts. It is an ambitious undertaking to invest in a public organization, especially a school. I can't imagine how the ACLU and groups for the separation of religion and state wouldn't object. Further, I wonder about how appropriate it is for the reign of God to finance projects of Caesar.
Adam, I don't see anyone investing in the endorsement of Caesar here. What I see is the very essence of missional Christianity at its best. The ACLU can't find a legitimate argument against caring people who seek to better something. If these folks were going in and proselytizing that would be one thing. But for them to volunteer, seek employment as teachers, aides, and administrators,all the while exhibiting the love, grace and compassion of Jesus, is something altogether different.
Jesus engaged himself continually with drunkards, prostitutes, and sinners of all sorts, and loved them. He never separated himself from them, but rather built loving relationships with them in hopes that some would be compelled to follow him.
In all honesty, I can find a lot inappropriate with Christians not engaging secular culture, but I can find nothing antithetical to the teachings of Jesus in loving those who do not yet believe. We simply have no right, nor do we have any witness or validity to separating ourselves from those who need God's love. In fact, it is every believer's God-ordained mandate to do so.
Although much of Christendom embraces dualism, it is a false dichotomy, and antithetical to the reign of God. I don't see the people in David's example financing projects of Caesar. What I do see is people who have realized that they have no right to complain about the problems of the public school system if they were unwilling to contribute to making it better. These folks have vindicated true Christianity in the eyes of a lot of people who would otherwise be shunned by so much of Christendom. To me, that is remarkable.
Wow. Excellent. Do you have any links to more information or anything like that?
Bryan, I wish I knew where there was more on this topic. Most believers don't like to touch it with a 10 ft. pole, unfortunately. Afraid of stepping on toes, I suppose.
I'm going to do another post on my experiences with both Christian and public schools as a parent as soon as I have the chance. I sent my sons to Christian school for much of their elementary years, then public school through high school and college.
I don't know whether David, who wrote the comment that I posted on has any more info on that church he wrote about or not. I'd love to interview some of those folks.
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