Well?,,,,It may be that there are a very **few** Christian teachers who have a **true** calling to be teaching in the government schools. My question to them would be, "OK!,,Just exactly how are you doing that?" The rest are merely self-deluded while they happily pick up their paychecks.
85% of children of Christian parents no longer practice their faith within 2 years of graduating from high school. Of those who do claim to be Christian their belief system is not gospel based but is a combination of "we should be fair", "feel good", New Agey mish mash. In contrast, 90% or more of homeschoolers remain faithful. Could the difference be due to the example of their **teachers**? ( I have links)
Christian teachers should examine their true role in the government schools. If Christian teachers are not **vigorously** protesting, resisting, and refusing to cooperate with the secular humanist, Marxist, atheistic, anti-Christian, anti-Westertern Civilization agenda of the government schools. Then they should get out!
Why?
If they aren't. If they are silent, if they try to go along, if they don't make waves, if they are not working strenuously to abolish the abominable NEA, reject offensive textbooks, protest offensive school programs and events, then they are setting a very poor example for the all the students ( Christian and non-Christian) as well as for all the non-Christian teachers.
For example, the Amherst, Mass. high school a few years ago had a "Vagina Monologues" week long festival. I don't recall Christian teachers outside the school protesting it.
The Christian teachers that I personally know are trying not to make waves, do not protest, and do everything possible to protect their jobs and paychecks. What they do is try to sneak a little Christian philosophy and thought ( without ever mentioning the words Jesus Christ, of course), into their lessons. They hope that, against all the odds, their their example will stand as a witness for Christ.
What about their example?
These Christian teachers are teaching by example, that Christianity is the religion of the weak, sneaky, timid and lukewarm. They are NOT helping the cause of Christianity. They are impeding it! Christ has said that he would spit these people out of his mouth! I am not surprised that the 85% of Christian kids who leave the religion have done so as well.
If Christian teachers think that they can bring students, and non-Christian teachers to Christ by being silent, weak, agreeable, and conforming,,,then I suggest that they also try putting out a forest fire with a water pistol!
There is another problem with government schools. Government schools and freedom of conscience and the First Amendment will always be in conflict. There is no such thing as a religiously neutral education. If it isn't Christian based then it will be based on some other religious ( non-Christian) philosophy
In the essay by Marilyn Howshall, she states,"A foundation always determines what is to be built. Jesus Christ must be the original foundation in order to continue godly building."
If Christian teachers were to be successful in restoring a Christ based foundation to the government schools, these Christian teachers would be trampling the freedom of conscience of many students who are in the school under police threat and do not want Christianity forced upon them. Many children are in government schools, because if they didn't show up, police action would taken against them and their parents. I don't think you will find anywhere in the gospels where Christ said we should subject people to Christian belief by threat of government police action! Nor does Christ preach that we should take taxes from people ( by threat of force) in order to pay for His message!
The Christian teacher is in a no win situation. If he is quiet and agreeable, he teaches student that Christians are timid, weak, and will sell their principles for a paycheck.
If he protests and aggressively counters the anti-family, pro-Marxist, atheistic agenda of the existing government schools, he just might win that battle. But,,,In winning this battle he would be violating the freedom of conscience of many of his students who do not want to be subjected to a Christ-based education!
The teacher who is able to witness in addition to impacting the lives of children and other teachers with a sense of healthy values and live of learning will earn a reward.
Ok, witness. But, don't be weak, timid, sneaky, or sly about it. Of course, that would get the teacher fired. Which by the way, would probably be the best example to set for non-Christian and all students to see.
I do wonder, however, how many teachers who also have young children of their own would continue to think it their personal mission-ground if they had to conduct their ministry within the context of a different set of values-one that would include personally assuming responsibility for their own young children’s education.
A Christian teacher's MOST urgent and important mission field is that of his or her OWN children!!! The second MOST important mission field is that of the children of his or her congregation!!!
Ministry is not our reason for being someplace. It is our responsibility to know for sure where God wants us to be; which set of responsibilities He wishes us to assume for our life, and which roles we are to play. Healthy and fruitful ministry can only flow out of an obedient life. If this speaks to you, then you might seriously consider that God would have you do.
While it is possible that there are some teachers with a true call to be in the government schools, I believe the rest are merely deluded, and seduced by a paycheck and pension.
Another category of teachers in the system is in regards to the career-minded Mom who is there simply because that is where her own children are-it is their family’s lifestyle-the children go to school and Mom gets a job or pursues a career of her own. If you have simply assumed roles and lifestyles placed upon you by cultural values without seeking God about it then please reconsider and spend a season listening to Him speak to your heart.”
The MOST important mission field of any Christian teacher is his or her OWN children!!
The second most important and urgent mission field of any Christian teacher is that of the children of his OWN congregation! (
MOsby,,Here is your cue for **your** big brown spam.)