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July 25, 2022

As I see parents and their children shop for school supplies at this time of year, I’m reminded once again of the importance of the teachers in our midst. As the son of a teacher, I learned early on the importance of education, including healthy partnerships between students, parents, teachers, administrators, and community leaders. Each have to do their part in order for our education system to work well. Church leaders can have a role to play in this dynamic. Over sixty United Methodist Churches in Minnesota have formed some kind of partnership with a school in their neighborhood over the last few years. I encourage more of you to do so.

One of the books I recommend frequently is “The Mission-Minded Guide to Church and School Partnerships,” by Jake McGlothin (Abingdon Press). Jake was the Director of Servant Ministries at Floris UMC in Herndon, Virginia for many years, and is now a church planter for them. A sub-title could be “no-nonsense help for supporting schools and their staffs,” as many people want to begin partnerships, but either don’t know how to do it or do it poorly, sometimes causing more harm than good. Most educators are extremely dedicated and appreciate help from the community, if done the right way— which means taking the time to form a strong, trusting, two-way, long-term relationship.

Jake has a graduate degree, but really learned what he has to share from a kind of “school of hard knocks” and years of experience, something he has turned in a thoughtful and intentional analysis on what really works and what doesn’t. He knows how to create functional partnerships that benefit everyone. His book if full of practical ideas for sustainable programs. It’s a great starting point for those who see part of their mission as reaching out and blessing the children in their neighborhood. It’s a well-done book that will work for all sizes of congregations seeking to do this kind of community engagement.

Jake lays out the reasons why partnerships matter. Children, particularly those in poverty, face risks in life and learning. They can face emotional and social challenges, chronic stress, hunger, and health and safety issues. There is a high mobility rate in some places. Some are learning English as a second language. Too often there is a lack of parental supervision.

Our calling as Christians aligns us with Christ, who saw the hurts of the world, who saw the pain in individuals and in communities. He sought to heal and comfort them and free them from their hurts. Our Wesleyan/Methodist identity is one of participating in acts of mercy, justice and compassion. As inheritors of this tradition, we find that our survival greatly depends on our willingness to live out the Gospel where we live, work and worship.

There are some guiding principles in his book that can help churches get started.

  1. Network first with schoolteachers and administrators who are in your congregation to see who is interested.
  2. Do your research. Find out what local partnerships the school has already and how they are connected to their mission and goals. You can usually find them on their website.
  3. Start building relationships. Nothing is more important. Ask educators what they like about their school, what is unique about it, and what challenges there are currently.
  4. Seek to be a learner, a servant, and a cheerleader.
  5. Make the school’s priorities primary.
  6. Obtain the public support of the pastor and church leaders before you start.

Once you have established a relationship …

  1. Remember needs precede programs.
  2. Start small, with an intent to expand.
  3. Be adaptable. Partnerships are sacred. Programs are not.
  4. Build and train a church team that will commit to the long run.

Schools have different types of needs. There could be basic needs, such as clothing or hygiene items. There could be material needs, like backpacks and school supplies. There could be school needs, such as beatifying the grounds. There could be financial needs. There could be space needs, like a room for an after-school program. Beyond these, members and friends of your congregation could be involved in mentoring, weekend meals, reading programs, or staff appreciation events.

Because you are working with children, make sure to follow your church and school’s policies on child safety, including backgrounds checks. Everyone needs to go through appropriate training.

Participating in a church-school partnership will likely help transform your congregation. Transformation can happen in various ways. In my work with disaster relief and mission journeys, I’ve encouraged people to get to know the homeowners and others they are helping. I’ve encouraged them to learn their stories. Team members come home to tell these stories to others, which in turn produce future engaged supporters and participants. The same is true with church-school relationships. If we truly partner with all of those working hard every day to help our children get the best education they can, we all win. And the “story” will get out that your church cares about your community.

In Ministry Together,
Lyndy Zabel
Global Connections and Missional Initiatives Coordinator
Minnesota Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church

 

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