When we speak of “our Christian schools,” several reminders are probably in order. First, they are “ours” in the sense that we are associated with them, we are working together with them, and together we are advancing the same interests and goals. They are not “ours” in the sense of ownership, for they do not belong to “us.” Legally, they usually belong to a board of trustees or directors in whom legal title to the school property is vested. I mention this because some brethren get confused, thinking the Christian schools somehow answer to them, or belong to them in some general or spiritual way.
People often speak proudly of “their” school or “my” alma mater. We all know what they mean. They mean the same thing as someone who speaks of “my” football team. It is “theirs” in the sense that they are supportive of its efforts, may have contributed to it, and take a great interest in its schedule and activities. Such a person who speaks of “my” football team is in for a rude awakening if he ever tries to take charge of its direction or internal affairs.
Still, “our” Christian schools have a very special place in our hearts, because we have been praying for them, financially supporting them, and recommending them to our young people down through many years. We feel that we are “on the same page” with them, and that their work complements our own efforts in the kingdom. We are in fellowship with them (i.e. the individuals operating them) because we are jointly participating in furthering the cause of Christ.
They are “Christian” schools in the sense that they are owned and operated by Christians— members of the Lord’s church. They exist for the purpose of instilling Christian ideals into the hearts of our young people, and in all of their activities they are to advance and not hinder Christianity. I have known of well-meaning brethren who objected to referring to the schools as “Christian” schools. In fact, they objected to calling anything a “Christian” which had not been baptized! But the term Christian is popularly used not only as a proper name, but sometimes as an adjective, or even an adverb. We speak of a Christian home or Christian principles. We acknowledge there is such a thing as Christian living or Christian influence, and we pray that such might increase.
But where we get into trouble with these schools is when they are influenced more and more by non-Christians. The percentage of the student body which is non-Christian gradually increases to the point where denominational and unbiblical ideas finally hold sway. The board of directors gradually changes in its composition, so that there is less sympathy or appreciation for pure New Testament Christianity, and there prevails an acceptance of man-made doctrines and ideas. Once this happens, it becomes difficult or impossible for the board to hold the school on a scriptural course. And, faithful Christian supporters of the school are disappointed to learn the hard reality that they really have very little influence in the direction the school will go.
Our Christian schools need our prayers, they need our financial support, and they need our encouragement. Those who are teaching there, especially in the Bible departments, need to know that we are supportive of their efforts to be faithful, to make scriptural decisions and teach God’s word in its purity and simplicity. The president and administration need to hear from us, not only when they make mistakes, but when they are doing a good job of leading the school in a biblical fashion.
Many of “our” schools have been lost to us because they abandoned their original purpose. They got to the point where they discovered they did not really need the financial support of faithful congregations or faithful individuals. And, leaving the purity of primitive Christianity, they desired to be more like the state universities and other institutions of higher learning.
There should be no moral or spiritual competition in our thinking about our Christian schools. We should be supportive of our schools so long as they adhere to Christian principles. But we need to acknowledge that such support is always conditioned upon their faithfulness. And we should be open to hear valid criticism, even of our favorite school, in the hope that we might be able to bring about a positive correction before it is too late.
-by Robert C. Veil, Jr.
