EmailThis guest post was contributed by Keith Tusing from CM Buzz. Submit your articles to Tony@Ministry-To-Children.com
Here in Arizona our school system is in dire financial need and our teachers could really use some encouragement.
As a church staff we are looking for opportunities to help our local schools and let our teachers know they are appreciated. With that in mind I thought I would share 5 ways that we are partnering with our local school to help.
#1. Meeting with key leaders at school and asking the question: How can we help? We were pleasantly surprised at the cordial reception in our initial meeting and came away with some very practical steps we can take. Our church in now the official community partner with the Elementary School located closest to our campus.
#2. Offer to cater lunch or breakfast for the school staff. Who doesn’t love the idea of good food prepared by someone else. My grandmother always said that food tasted better when someone else did the work. This is a simple way to say “Thank You” to teachers for their hard work.
#3. Provide staff and materials to start an extracurricular club. Today I am meeting with school staff to plan the details for launching a “Speed Stacks” club. We use Speed Stacks as a fun activity at church and we have all the necessary equipment to start a club. Think outside the box. What do you have at your church that could be used to offer extracurricular activities for students?
#4. Help with facility repair and improvements. With the budget cutting that seems to be universal in education facility repair and improvements can be a vital need. Do you have volunteers with skills that could benefit your local school? Create a team that is willing to give of their time and talent to bless the school.
#5. Tutor a student. Many schools are short staffed in the classroom and we can help provide one-on-one instruction to students who desperately need help. Find out which adults in your church have the skills and the personality to help a child.
These are just a few of the ways that the church can make an impact at school. Start now brainstorming ways that your church could help at school. Don’t wait for families to come to your facility. Get out into the community and serve.
For more ideas from Keith, visit his blog or follow him on Twitter.
Related posts:
- The Secret of Advantage of Small Churches
- Why I Respect & Pray For Public School Teachers
- 6 Reasons Why You Should Serve In Children’s Ministry
- 10 Ways to Make a New Kid Welcome at Church
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Some good thoughts.
Having trained churches across the country to provide after-school ministries for at-risk kids here are a couple added thoughts.
1. Churches are notorious for starting something and not following through. School administrations often have a bad view of churches due to that. So count the cost before starting anything.
2. Why are you doing it? If it is to draw families to Christ I would suggest any extracurricular activities you provide be done at your church. Kids and their parents need to feel the connectedness to your property. Even then plan on three years before parents will trust you enough to check out the church on Sunday.
After years of serving at-risk kids I discovered that so much of what the church does is to make ourselves feel good and doesn’t have lasting results. (Jeremiah 17:9&10) It is imperative that you and your congregation truly count the cost.
Here is a link that explains some of the above.
http://whymissionaries.wordpress.com/2008/01/14/christian-after-school-programs-results-or-just-activity/
Great ideas! Practical, bridge-building ways to serve schools.
LOVED THIS! So many practical ideas I would have never thought of. Thank you!
Great article. Thanks!!