Death of Schools Work - a response
The Death of Schools Work may be a good grabber for a magazine cover, but it hardly does justice to Chris Curtis’ article. The Beginning of the Recovery of Schools Work might be a little more accurate, if less exciting. Ironically, this highlights one of the dangers against which Chris warns that of overselling. Schools ministry has often been oversold to the churches (‘the answer to all your problems’), and sometimes, sadly, to schools (‘we’re an educational programme – don’t worry about the Christian bit’.) The solution is obvious, and starts with transparency and authenticity, fundamental gospel values. Do Christians offer more of the same, another consumerist dream, or a radical alternative?
Like Chris, I’ve been in schools work for a long time, 27 years working with Scripture Union. But my schools ministry didn’t start when Scripture Union began to pay me! My years as a teacher and before that a pupil were just as much a part of schools ministry. If ‘Christian schools work is in crisis’ – and I’m not as sure about that as Chris is – it is at least partly because there is too great a focus on Christian schools workers. Apart from a fleeting reference in the article to ‘the many Christian staff and pupils’ and another to Christian pupils (‘often too few… to make a CU practical’), you could be forgiven for thinking that schools ministry is all down to schools and youth workers! If that’s true, it is yet another example of the misplaced professionalism which cripples churches and Christian mission. The role of leadership (according to Ephesians 4 at least) is to equip all Christians for ministry.
The inescapable question for me is why has God called many thousands of Christian pupils, teachers and other staff to serve him in school every day, and only a few hundred schools workers? Without pretending to be certain about the mind of God on this (although I’ll take a guess if you want me to!), it is clear that my response has to be to help Christians in schools to be as effective as possible in their witness. Scripture Union has been aiming to do this for well over 50 years and continues to see it as a very high priority! Of course schools workers are important, but they are not alone in this ministry. In my experience, the most effective ones aren’t necessarily high profile but they do multiply their ministry through supporting and equipping others, particularly the Christians in schools who are on the front line every day.
Responding to the last section of Emlyn’s letter, I think this is so important…so many in this community are already agreeing that we need to be supporting Christians already in schools, whether they be students, teachers, support staff…...see these two blog entries that relate to this: ‘Supporting Christian Teachers’ and ‘Starting a school Christian Group’ (see related articles).
Just reflecting further on the reference to Ephesians 4, thought I would share out loud a couple thoughts, more to be an encouragement than anything!
Supporting Christians in schools is one focus as a Christian going into school or as a supporter praying from the outside, but it’s not the only one. Ephesians 4 speaks to me about truly living out what it means to be the body of Christ…allowing those gifted in different areas to live out their callings in a way that glorifies God and brings honour to Him. Whether that’s seeking out the Christians to build them up, great!; Whether that’s coming alongside those who are hurting and alone and scared, keep on!; Whether that’s focusing on upfront leading of assemblies and lessons in order to reach all regardless of their beliefs, fantastic!;..Paul begins this chapter by urging us to live a life worthy of the calling we have received. So then let’s endeavour to encourage each other to live out our callings in the individual ways that God has gifted us.
(Sorry in advance about my tendency to play devils advocate)
Isn’t this that the opposite of what Ephesians 4 is saying? God has given gifts (apostle, prophet pastor teacher & evangelist) so that the body of Christ might be built up - not so that individual gifts dominate but so that the people of God together might be built up to maturity. Is not one of the challenges faced by Christians in our individualistic consumer society to be counter cultural people of community serving a world in need together?
The danger seems to be that the individual gifts being exercised becomes the reason for acting in isolation. So schools workers do their thing which they phrase as ‘living out their calling’ without reference to those people whom God has placed in school all the time.
Is our model of ministry that of the lone ranger or the corporate community?
I don’t think we disagree here, just looking at it from different angles.
I do believe we’re all to live out our individual callings (Eph 4:1), knowing that we all play a different part in a much bigger story. Isn’t it by being ourselves in the way God has gifted us that He can truly use us effectively? Sure, we have a big part to play in working together - I’m a big advocate of community and working together/learning together, and we absolutely must work alongside those already in schools.
God has been doing so much in my schools before I even thought about stepping in there to support young people and staff as a Christian, and I must be discerning about what God is already doing there, but I also must bring myself into that role and the things God is showing me and the unique ways He’s able to use me to develop what’s already happening. To be able to do our part well (Eph. 4:16) and to grow and build ourselves as a community up in God, surely we need first to grasp our own part within that?
What do other people think?