Call for Exit Strategy From Public Schools Gaining Momentum

My wife and I have started planning for this already. My son is only 3 right now.

Joseph Botwinick

 

Don't you teach in a public school?

 

Yes I do.

Joseph Botwinick

 

That's why JB wants out for his kid, is my guess.

 

I think you both misunderstood me and the proposal by Mohler and others. I never said I wanted my kid out for sure. I am preparing for the likelihood that I would want my kid out. I might send my kid to public school if I find a good one. That is not going to be my only option, however, because of lack of preperation and money.

Joseph Botwinick

 

Perhaps our schools as a whole might be better if Christians would be at the forefront of involvement and volunteerism to assist the schools.

Also we must begin to remind parents that our schools should only take our children so far in their education, the basics and so forth, and it is a parental responsibility to supervise the spiritual education of their children.

We should have a wave of volunteers from our churches to go out and connect with our schools. Allow them the opportunity to see a faithful commitment from us that is consistent and overwhelming and see if they begin to listen to our concerns more.

 

I know that a passion, and probable pursuit of mine, is to get into the public schools as a teacher. Not with an agenda, but because I am truly passionate about teaching. I think we should be careful before we should condemn the public school systems, and instead of retreating from society, which is already a problem among many Christians, we should strive to make it better. Teaching your kids to leave society because it is worldly does nothing for the Kingdom. Didn't we already know it is worldly? Is it that much of a shocker that PUBLIC, SECULAR schools are worldly? Come on, you may as well condemn non-believers now for acting like....well....NON-BELIEVERS! Don't expect a Christ-like atmosphere in a secular environment. Rather, I think our calling as believers is to live like Christ, and bring that into society. Not retreat because there are some gay kids at school, or the Science teacher thinks evolution is true, etc. Let's be Christ to these people, I don't think He would've retreated.

 

Amen!!

If Christians were to be known for their active involvement in the betterment of public schools and their willingness to give time to assist public school teachers, then we would have a much more positive influence on the spiritual, emotional and academic health of our local schools.

 

All the time I see students who are well respected and are a great witness. One or two godly Christian students in each class can have a profound effect on other students. I have never met any disrespectful students winning others to Christ. Those who are winning others to Christ are excited and are growing.

Years ago, I had gone to a church that changed the high school which started with one sophomore. That sophomore lady started a Bible study at brunch and lunch with some girls at the high school which spawned more and more Bible studies. 35 years later that church still continues to have a large youth group because of that one point in time. I have watched students who may not be all that smart have a positive effect on a school because of their attitude and the respect they show to others. The schools are an incredible place to be for those who seek God.

Christian teachers have a great opportunity to encourage others in the right direction. Christian teachers are a model to the other Christians in class.

Several years ago I was a member at a church which decided to get involved in a tutoring program at the local elementary school. It was a tremendous opportunity. A number of kids came to church from that school as a result.

There are some godly teachers and students trying to make an impact and just wish that some of the stagnant Christians would just be silenced. For those who are anti-schools should read the testimony of how two local school teachers impacted Dawson Trotman the founder of The Navigators. I had an English teacher who cared for me a lot and encouraged me. She brought books to school for students to read. Many of them were Christian books she bought with her own money. God used one of those books to get my attention. I remember the internal struggle I had while reading that book which did not stop until another student when I was in college talked to me about Christ.

Many years ago I heard Rev. Richard Wurmbrand speak at the university I was attending. He mentioned that it was the Christian students who were the best students in those atheistic schools. Those schools were in a communist, anti-God society. That was during a time when Christians were persecuted. The children were forced to go to atheistic schools. Out of that came godly Christians who were strong.

Mormonism is growing at somewhere around 200-250 per week mostly with former Southern Baptists and Roman Catholics. That has nothing to do with local schools.

Life is not about the school. It is not about the church. It is about Christ. People need to know that one with God is a majority.

 

I really think that those that are so supportive in advocating a "pull-out" may be those who are least likely to evangelize. Before I continue, when I say "evangelize" I do not mean present a track, or a "presentation" to someone. I mean truly invest in the life of someone. Showing them love. Being their friend. Spending time, hanging out, and through this introducing them to Jesus. When you know Jesus, people see that. They see less of that when you withdraw from society, only showing up to present the latest Gospel presentation fad. When you don't truly love the lost...I can see how you'd want to get away from them, and keep your children away from them. When you can truly weep because they are living a purposeless life, and care very much for them, and want to show them how to have meaning and true joy, than you'll want to suround yourself with them.

 

I have no intention of leaving my kid out of the public schools because they might challenge his faith or worldview. I would expect even a good Christian school to do some of that. I would take him out because some schools are either unsafe environments or do not do well academically and with discipline. My son is not going to school to change the world. He is going to get an education. I think many well meaning Christians tend to lose sight of what should be the main thing in school.

Joseph Botwinick

 

If my understanding is right, we are to be like Christ and He changed the world one person at a time. Your children will learn what you model.

 

Are you telling me that my primary priority for my son at school should not be his education? I think you are wrong if that is what you are saying. My son is not going to save the world, one person at a time or otherwise, and neither are you. Only Jesus can do that. My son will see us sharing the Gospel with the lost and he will model what we do. This has nothing to do with what the main focus of school ought to be: Education. If I find a good public school that has a safe environment, strict discipline, and high academic standards, I will happily send him there. If that is not the case, he will go to a private school. I refuse to trap my son in a school system that isn't any good because I can't afford any better. I think this is good stewardship and very wise. If you want to send your children to a failing school with an unsafe environment to see if he can change the world, that is your business. Not for me.

Joseph Botiwnick

 

AMEN! you said it plain.

 

I agree with most of what you wrote. However I have seen too many church kids who never share their faith, are lazy, and never reach anyone.

When your God is big, the world seems small, but when your God is small, the world seems big.

Too many have an academic education with no passion for the lost.

Too much of what you have said is what many parents are saying today. The problem is that kids have never had to struggle because they have a cash cow called mom and dad. The students in college today are not nearly as responsible as those about 20 years ago. Employers say the same thing. Mom and dad have not taught them responsibility. The fact is that they spend about 60% of of the time on homework that their parents did.

I grew up on a farm. We got every morning at 3:30 AM and then did the same thing again in the evening. I got good grades and went to a good college. Doing that for several years taught me a lot about hard work and enduring. Academics and parents who give their kids everything does not provide that kind of teaching. Kids today have a lot of time to work hard academically and do other things to enhance their spiritual development. Outside of school they have about 9 hours to do homework and whatever else they want.

Today I read an article in a newspaper about how many are concerned about the youth throwing aside any faith they might have to be replaced with nothingness. Whose fault is that? Those kids are asking for trouble and will give their parents a lot of grief.

With all the time kids have and all the money their parents give them there is no excuse for well educated students who are spiritually fit. What I often see is the opposite because they have no struggle knowing mom and dad will supply all they need and want.

When I taught high school I never once had students complain about how much homework I gave and how much they learned. But their parents often complained that their child had to work so hard. Every year my students won the competitions. Still parents complained.

Today I am at a university and I plan for my students to spend about three hours outside of class for every hour in class. My students do well. They study hard and get good grades. I have seen several students who grow up and decide to start studying. They begin to show up to class on time and thank me for the impact I have had on them. I take my responsibility very seriously. I want then to be well prepared. My purpose is not to only give them academic skils but life skills as well. If I can reach a student with the gospel that is what I pray for. My life is not one dimensional. It has many facets. I am not just a teacher but a missionary in teachers clothes.

 

Could you name me one. I just cannot think of any godly kids I know who are lazy and failing in school. I see a lot of ungodly kids who are.

 

So which is it? Are the Christian kids superkids who do everything right, or are they lazy? I am not quite sure I understand your point. I never said a word about the Christian kids being lazy and failing in schools. I said quite a bit about public schools not challenging kids academically (and yes, I have seen this), not being strict enough with their discipline, and not having a safe environment. How did you infer anything about Godly Christian kids from that?

Joseph Botwinick

 

My son is not going to school to learn a passion for the lost. He is going to get an academic education. He will learn about a passion for the Lord and wanting to be obedient to him and his Word from me at home and at Church.

My son certainly does not have a cash cow with me. If you think so, then you are seriously misguided in your judgment. My son will, further, have to work for what he gets. He will, however, have the benefit of getting the best academic education with strict discipline and a safe environment that we can provide him. At five years old, he won't really be able to provide that for himself...so I don't think he is in any danger of being spoiled as you might think.

Again, I think you are a bit ignorant in your judgment of me. If I find a public school which provides good academics, strict discipline, and a safe environment, then I will praise God for it and send my son there. If not, he will go to a private school that does provide these things. If you want your kids to go to a school which has poor academic standards, weak discipline, and an unsafe environment, then that is your problem. Not for me and my son.

Joseph Botwinick

 

In the Bible are a number of examples of godly parents who had wayward children. You cannot guarantee that your children will have any passion. Judas had no passion for Christ. Yet, he was around Jesus all the time.