Posted on 11/19/2025 4:10:25 PM PST by CondoleezzaProtege
For the record, I’m pro–Christian school…We don’t regret sending our kids to a Christian school, even though my wife has been a public school teacher for the last 28 years. We believe Christian schools can be a powerful force for spiritual transformation.
Sadly, that’s often not the case. After speaking at many Christian schools over the last three decades, talking to countless Christian school students and graduates, and witnessing the struggles of our own kids as they went through Christian school, I’ve concluded that the model we use for Christian schools is largely failing to capture the hearts of our kids for Christ over the long haul.
Many Christian school teenagers have a deep spiritual cynicism baked into their hardened hearts. Far too many of these teens graduate and then publicly evacuate their faith, either through outright denunciation or post–high school hedonism. While I don’t have statistics to prove the fallout, I’ve personally connected with many Christian school attendees/graduates who have forsaken their faith and/or the lifestyle that goes with it.
The good news is: I believe this tragic trajectory can change.
(Excerpt) Read more at gregstier.org ...
His article focuses more on discipleship and spiritual matters, than on academics and other relevant points - but good points and worth a read nonetheless. Kudos to the homeschoolers + teachers & schools (public, private, or otherwise) who are NOT rotting minds and souls.
I guessed this article would be self-flagellation about how Christian schools have many kids who fall away - and that's indeed the tone. Do we not show enough love? Do we teach the Gospel incorrectly? Are we not engaging parents? etc. etc.
I actually have this same debate with secularists, atheists, and people who dislike our school's Catholicism, and Christian education in general. They sneer - look at how many of "your" kids wind-up taking drugs, have premarital sex, curse, etc. etc.
My answer to both would be - there is no perfect method for Christian education, and given that we swim in a secular and toxic culture 24/7, of course many kids will be sucked-away. Christian educators are not superhuman.
What a Christian educator can do, simply, provide a moral example and plant the mustard seed of faith. It will grow in Gods own time.
I've seen middle-aged people return to our school and say that it took them 25 or 30 years, but only after they had gone through some trouble or serious questioning, did they remember the place that provided some Christian grounding and a source of hope, which they could then pursue.
There actually are a diverse array of approaches to and philosophies about education, both secular and religious. And nothing is one size fits all.
I lived in an area with a lot of hippie dippie type schools and had friends who had zero homework at all OR grades through elementary and middle school…literally wearing fairy wings on the playground and doing outdoor exploration as “science” class — yet ended up doing just fine in high school with grades and getting accepted to ivies so…
#1 Christians have bought into “revivalism” hook, line, and sinker. It doesn’t produce disciples of Christ.
Institutionalizing, substituting academic prowess over spiritual anointing, has a history. How long did it take for Harvard to becomes the Vatican of Unitarianism?
It takes the Holy Spirit.
Yes re: Holy Spirit - but are there habits stifling His flow?
Like legalism.
These kids still live in a pagan world which has a powerful draw. Some of them are going to explore that world. It matters though that they have been given a foundation which over time will begin to take hold. Life has a way of forcing you back to the basics.
How many of us have gone through just that journey and found our way home?
Because it’s not their job.
It’s the parent’s job.
Let me guess. You have not done your homework and don’t know what it means.
https://www.amazon.com/Revival-Revivalism-Iain-H-Murray/dp/0851516602
hmmm... what? Revivalism in the sense of sacramental renewal, liturgical participation, and communal spiritual awakening rather than solely emotional or individualistic experiences is heavily there in the Catholic church.
In modern times, the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (since the 1960s) involves outpourings of the Holy Spirit, healing, and prophecy, akin to Pentecostal revivals but integrated with sacraments. Currently, the U.S. National Eucharistic Revival (launched 2022) is a multi-year initiative to rekindle devotion to the Eucharist through pilgrimages, congresses, and parish events, aiming to renew faith amid secularism. This reflects Catholicism’s view of revival as God-initiated restoration
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.