As a lifelong Minnesota Vikings fan, I’m well versed in our unofficial motto… “Well, there’s always next year.” This is often muttered as meager consolation after a nail-biting game ends with a missed field goal. There’s always next year, except when it comes to our young people.
In the spirit of New Year’s resolutions, I find myself resolute (purposeful, determined, unwavering) regarding the ministry of Adventist education. My definition of Adventist education might differ from the elementary school, academy, or college that comes to mind. You see, each of us is an Adventist educator. Parents. Grandparents. Pastors. Teachers. Sabbath School teachers. Pathfinder leaders. Church members. Friends. We are a network of Adventist educators dedicated to providing our young people with opportunities to encounter God’s love. As I used to tell my student’s parents, “We are Team Your Kid!”
I have yet to meet an individual who thought ministering to our young people was a bad idea. But all too often, we find ourselves in competition rather than joining forces against the principalities and powers of the enemy. Oh, how I wish our child evangelistic efforts could operate outside of the dreaded numbers game. This might sound like:
- “We have to get more students and do more fundraisers.”
- “Since our enrollment is down, we may have to cut a teacher.”
- “We’ve had a drop in alumni giving and support due to ___________.”
- “My tuition/tithe dollars fund your paycheck, so I expect you to ___________.”
Operating with these high stakes results in unhealthy competition such as Adventist schools versus public schools versus private schools versus homeschool. Conference-supported schools versus locally-operated schools. Academies versus day schools. Curriculum, academics, arts, sports, location, cost, compete, compete, compete. In this competition, our young people lose.
My mom attended public school and remembers feeling like an outsider at events like camp meeting, because she didn’t go to the academy. When I was homeschooled, there were times when I felt out of place attending Sabbath School and Pathfinders amongst the church school kids clique. I remember the awkwardness and odd looks at elementary music festival when all the students were told to get into their school groups, and I was left alone.
Do our young people feel like outsiders? Are they lonely? Have we created a safe space for them? Do we listen to them? Do we incorporate their ideas? Do we demonstrate our love for them through the investment of our time, energy, and financial resources? Do we show interest in them all of the time, or only when we’re trying to recruit for our schools? Do we view our young people as statistics or beloved children of God? Do our young people know that they are a valued part of their church family?
Isa. 43:4-7 says, “Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth – everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
This is our year! We do not dwell on the past, but rather open our eyes to perceive that God is doing something new (Isa. 43:18-19). May we not contribute to the division we see in the world around us, but rather combat it. May we rally together as Adventist educators, united by our love for our young people. Because unlike the Vikings, when it comes to reaching our young people, there’s not always next year.
