Schools Need the Church

This morning I sent an email to a school administrator where I thanked him for creating a “greeting committee” much like the ones I enjoyed as a kid … and even now as an adult.

I told him about my life growing up in Baptist churches where the greeters set the tone.

There’s nothing like someone smiling, sometimes even hugging you, looking into your eyes like they’re happy to see you.

So many kids need to be SEEN.

This principal leads a 6A HS in Houston.

With great intention, he has chosen people to stand at the front of the school and put eyes on every student that walks in the door.

He spoke with great poise and passion about their processes but even more importantly, their people.

When he shared about one of the boys they noticed recently, whose demeanor had changed, the whole group listening began to lean in. They run schools. They get it. Stuff happens in the lives of these kids.

And they’re forever changed.

This particular kid ended up admitting that his dad had a stroke over the weekend and he was scared. Genuinely changed … forever … over the weekend.

While we’d love for kids to show up and be okay… that’s not reality.

Educators get it.

But do we?

Do we truly understand how hard life is for the next generation? I don’t think we do.

I arrived at Houston Hobby airport early this morning. As I stood at the sink, I caught myself waving my hands under the soap dispensers that were built in to the sink years ago. They didn’t work. No matter how hard I waved, no soap was dispensed. Finally, I looked up. They had added a new dispenser, and when I waved my hand under it, it worked.

That’s when I remembered that I want to write a book. Or a chapter in a book - entitled “school is the new church.”

Because for so long, I’ve seen how traditional “youth ministry” might meet the needs of some kids, but what’s happening in schools is meeting the greater need.

And it’s time to shift.

It’s time for the Church to rise up and run toward the needs of these kids. That’s where true ministry happens.

They’re at school 8 hours a day.

If we want to love them well, if we want to reach the next generation, if we want to be the hands & feet of Jesus, we’ll find so many opportunities there.

Ask an educator.

They’ll tell ya.

Let’s stop waving our hands at something that’s not working and look up, lean in, and love.