Public schools

I would first like to say thank you to Larry Felkins for voicing my exact thoughts on the public school exit strategy resolution. However, I would like to add a few thoughts.

First, many Southern Baptists need to be reminded that a resolution is nonbinding by nature and Southern Baptist churches are autonomous by design. No church can be forced to honor any resolution that is approved at any convention.

Second, I am forced to wonder how such a resolution will affect the multitudes of public school teachers and administrators who serve faithfully in Southern Baptist churches. Is it possible that if we abandon the public schools that they will abandon us? It is not just possible; it is probable. Many of our best teachers and workers will leave us.

Third, what are we saying to our families that cannot get the services they need from private Christian schools? Tragically only a small part of these schools offer special education or gifted programs. Where will these families go to meet a very real need?

And finally, in an article written by James Emery White and Charles L. Tieszen that will be published in the October 2007 edition of Evangelical Missions Quarterly, there is a statistic that is appalling. “Over 80 percent of all non-Christians do not personally know a Christian.” I fear that number would significantly change for the worse if we abandon our public school systems. How could we possibly explain that to our Lord who commands us to be “salt and light?”

Ben Hayes
Bon Secour, Ala.