Pastors promoting the Christian school

1 Peter 3:15

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Many of us who promote Christian schooling see the local church and her pastors as critical links to the parent community we are trying to reach. To forge links we have pastors' breakfasts, give them discounts for their own children to attend, and we pepper them with brochures and emails reminding them that we are out here doing Kingdom work alongside them.

I have done this "reaching out" and asked churches to put our school in their missions budget since the local school is an evangelistic effort. My experience with local churches breaks down like this:

- 10% serious about and in favor of Christian school - will educate their own children this way- the church may actually have its own school
- 10% generally in favor and will allow us to speak to a gathering and/or put out literature
- 60% favor public school (the salt and light argument) and because of the breadth of program
- 20% don't have strong feelings either way

Because of these "statistics" we cannot come barging in and expect pastors to be thrilled to see us. They will generally say, "I know all about your school". I always wonder what that means.

God is so good to provide so many wonderful case studies to learn from, and an opportunity to give an answer for my enthusiasm for Christian education.

So, today, I was visiting a headmaster of a church-sponsored school and had the opportunity to meet the pastor. The reason for the visit was to get to know each other and to see how I (we) could assist a sister school in their work.

The pastor was a little taken aback and asked me why would I want to do this and what could I offer to them. Thankfully, I have been asked this many times and I shared ideas in marketing, development, and strengthening the school culture. Like most of us, offering to serve or help is a pretty foreign concept; there must be an angle for me.

We have so much in common with our neighboring schools that it behooves us to find connections (like cooperative marketing on the radio or a Christian school fair). Like the body of Christ that we represent, each of has a something to contribute to the whole and there is always something we can learn.

Always be prepared to give an answer for why we believe in our mission and how the children, our churches, and our communities will be blessed if we produce strong soldiers of the Cross.