GSI Articles:
A Teacher's Role
in Family Soulcare
© 2003 Sid Galloway BS, M.Div.
Just an old sheepdog of the Good Shepherd
Genesis 1:1
Communicating conclusions from 100's of PhD scholars
Supporting the authority of His Word & the consistency of His character
Human Rights? Slavery? - Animal Rights? Cruelty?
What about God's right to command compassion for all of His creatures?
Did you know that the majority of Christian children attend public schools? Many of them are from homes (especially minority single-mothers), that cannot afford private school, and cannot home school. Therefore, the public school system provides an important and necessary service for the majority (including Christian families). Yes, I know that the government system seems fatally flawed, but please think prayerfully about the fact that for most such families - there is no alternative available. So, who will be their teachers in the public schools, if Christian men and women don't step forward and serve in this vital role? A lot of Christians complain about the problems in public schools (and there are many serious problems), but few Christians are willing to roll up their sleeves and reach out personally and physically to these children in need.
Time is short, and if the bias against a Christian worldview continues to increase in the public educational system, the doors for such an outreach may soon close. This is especially likely for Christian teachers of biology/"intelligent design". In fact, the more I examine the legal precedents accumulating around the country, it seems that a Christian high school may be the only place that I could teach secondary biology, with a free conscience. However, other high school subjects, as well as the elementary grades, are still wonderful opportunities to serve children and families in the public system.
Ask yourself:
Why is it considered a "wonderful thing" for American Christian men to become missionaries, often teaching English and other subjects in the public schools of Russia, China, Africa, or Muslim nations, yet churches ignore the equally desperate needs in the American educational system?
Many children, who need encouragement and counseling the most, are often the ones whose families cannot afford it. Many others have parents who, for various reasons, will not admit their need and reach out for help to any counselor, not even to counselors like us who don’t charge demanded fees for God’s profoundly simple, relationship principles. So as you know, it is often a teacher, rather than a counselor, who is there to reach the hurting hearts of such children, while still respecting the values and beliefs of their parents. I remember the powerfully positive impact a few of my teachers were able to have on me, as a rebellious youth, helping to redirect my future - and literally save my life.
In every nation, throughout history, minority families often end up oppressed, even unintentionally by the naturally selfish, sin nature of the majority. (Please see the article, "My Black Grandfather") Too often, Christians in the majority fail to follow our Lord Jesus, in His self-sacrificial search for the lost and lonely among the oppressed. Even worse is the fact that many white Christians (pink or tan), who are "politically" conservative like me, fail to recognize and admit that the evil of prejudice is still a terrible reality in America. So the hurt and resentment sometimes grows so deep, that those in the minority won’t trust people from majority churches. The result is segregation among Christian congregations, which is a visible dishonor to our one Father. To bridge that gap, sometimes it’s necessary to step out of the "holy huddle" and work alongside those in the world system, who need our Father’s love the most. There is no better role to achieve this goal than teaching.
Over the years a number of friends who were aware that I’d received job offers to move and serve in various "professional" ministry positions (with men that I respect). Many of these friends have asked why I turned down those offers. Please understand that I believe such work can be good, Christ-honoring, and productive, but not necessarily for me or my family - given our unique circumstances (medical needs, etc). In addition, some of the positions required administrative abilities that I do not have, and others would require me to compromise significant personal beliefs or practices. Actually, my "pastoral" gifts are more in the area of teaching and crisis counseling - sort of a "sheep-dog" coming along side those who are in trouble - rather than the CEO Shepherd of a large flock.
Teachers have the privilege of helping encourage academic excellence and mature character development for children whose circumstances have distorted their perception of reality (of God, themselves, others, relationships, and what it means to be successful). Even though there are already many caring and diligent teachers in the system, it is also apparent that many more are needed, especially men. Remember, Psalm 68:4-6. God desires us to serve as fathers and grandfathers to the fatherless. Serving as a teacher could provide an opportunity to positively influence the lives of lost and lonely children, that you could not reach otherwise.
In addition to needing practical principles of character development and skills for thinking with analytical logic, children especially need an accurate worldview on which to build a strong future home and nation. Social actions and reactions come from beliefs. Evidence indicates that the increasing selfishness, rebellion, and violence in schools and society in general is merely the rotten fruit growing up from the foundational root of a worldview based upon "Survival of the Cruelest (Coolest)".
As a former zookeeper (carnivores: lions, tigers, and bears) and an evolutionary ethologist (animal behaviorist) makes this concern all the more personal. No, I don't believe that "public" schools should teach biblical creation, nor should they teach Islamic or Hindu creation. Religious positions should never be promoted by "public" schools, yet every educational institution should teach the full spectrum of scientific evidence, including that which contradicts current theories of vertical evolution (Neo-Darwinian Evolution, Punctuated Equilibrium, Panspermia, etc.). For more details, you can review GSI summary articles, seminars, and audios on creation, but I especially encourage you to examine the thousands of resources available through scientists and theologians associated with or recommended by:
- Answers in Genesis
- Creation Ministries International
- Institute for Creation Research
All people have the right to know about the growing movement among scientists (even non-theistic) scientists, who are becoming convinced by the evidence of genetics, information science, etc., that "Intelligent Design" is a valid, evidential theory challenging the current theories of evolution. Dr. Lee Spetner, for example, is one of many non-Christian scientists of international respect at the forefront of this emerging scientific reformation. Science should never become dogma, but rather grow as a pursuit toward the improvement of our knowledge of the physical realm, through honest, empirical examination of the evidence.
Jesus sent His disciples out to serve, saying:
"Freely you have received, freely give"
Matthew 10:8