Ministry and Education – Part 2
BY MAX FERNANDEZ
We believe that Christian education is one form of ministry where we (the school) support the parent’s pursuit of the spiritual, academic, and physical maturity of children.
The mystery that was hidden in the Old Testament of the scriptures was the church. The church is the place where the Lord brings about a unity that glorifies Him. In the church, all of the division that existed between God and mankind is broken down. Additionally, the division that existed between humans is broken down.
The institution of the church existed in very real, independent bodies in the New Testament, and each of the bodies looked different. Some were poor and persecuted. Other churches were rich and lukewarm. There is no doubt that the ministry of these churches would have had similarities among each other, but they also had distinct marks based on how God had gifted those individual bodies.
It is with joy to observe the same to be true today. Some independent bodies of Christ look different in gifting and ministry because of what God has given to them. One variation of the body at Grace Baptist is Middletown Christian Schools and the Early Learning Center. This Christian education is one form of ministry that distinguishes Grace Baptist Church from some others who have no biblical institution as their foundation.
The question arises, “Could there be Christian schools that are not ministries of local churches?” You know the answer to this, don’t you? The answer is “Yes!” What is special about the connection to a local body is that the church is the institution for which Jesus Christ gave His life. The church is God’s strategy for reaching and discipling people in this age!
Let’s put to rest some good thoughts that fall short of God’s purposes. First, the primary purpose of the Christian school and church is NOT to save souls. The fact is that neither the church nor the school can save souls. To be more technical, it is not the teacher’s primary purpose to save souls. This is a misunderstood goal that has been handed down generationally and must be extinguished.
Secondly, the primary purpose of the church and the school is NOT to help students become strong, contributing members of their society. Again, this is good, but this falls so short of what God intends for the church and the school.
Thirdly, the primary purpose of the church and the school is NOT to help parents do parenting – whatever that means! This one will catch some of you by surprise; but this is again a fallacy that must be laid to rest.
The primary purpose of the church and the school is the glory of the almighty, infinite God of all creation!
The church and the school exist as testimonies of God’s glory. The primary purpose of the church and the school is the glory of the almighty, infinite God of all creation! Salvation is the means to this primary purpose. Helping students grow spiritually, academically, and physically are means to this primary purpose. Helping parents effectively train their children is a means to this primary purpose.
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