Board members work as volunteers—that means for free. Teachers work for a fraction of the salaries their counterparts make in public schools. Churches make huge allocations in their budgets. Pastors take on the task of mediators and peacemakers. Parents sacrifice for years until their children graduate. Some anonymous members make secret payments to aid those without the wherewithal to enroll. Union conferences designate the largest percentage, by far, of their annual budgets. Children forego the possibility of playing competitive sports, and may miss out on the best facilities, libraries, laboratories, etc.
Why do all these individuals make extreme sacrifices for Christian education? Because they are convinced an education in the "school of the prophets” fits our young people for service to the King of kings. And by the way, I believe our church schools and academies should be just as committed to the Third Angel's Message and the urge to share the good news about Jesus as any of our churches.
What a grand opportunity: The chance to influence children at an early and impressionable age, and to help raise them in the fear and admonition of the Lord! In a Valuegenesis study I read a few years ago, I found it very interesting that the main reason parents do not send their children to church school is not about cost but convenience. Whoa! Did I say “convenience?” Yes, I did, and what a shame!
There are no better places than an Adventist home, church, and school to cooperate in fulfilling the command of Deuteronomy 6:6,7: “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Many are engaged in this work, and they do it without equivocation, excuse, or apology.
Why do they do it? They believe! They believe our children are a precious loan from the Lord, and that one day we must answer the query, “Where is the flock that I have loaned you?” May it be our privilege to answer, “Here they are, Lord—taught, trained, and committed.”
