Back To School

   “Back to School” is a phrase that sets off a variety of responses and emotions.  Parents, teachers, students, coaches, and retail store owners all have different views of what a new school year means.  Some groan about it while others celebrate it, some rejoice and others lament.  Whatever the perspective, no one disagrees on the importance of education.  For children, it’s an essential part of what it means to grow-up, mature, and become a useful member of a family and community.  We anticipate children growing into adults that are mentally competent, economically stable, ethically balanced, physically fit, and, for Christian families, biblically grounded in spiritual truth.  For adults, education means continued development in a career field, or expanded understanding in a new interest, or training in the truths of the Bible.  For everyone, education should be a life-long process, after all, there’s plenty of opportunities to “learn something new every day.”

  America is blessed to have schools, institutes, colleges of many types, all with essential facilities and even luxuries, especially when compared to other countries. Here, students start school at an early age and can attend until high school graduation.  After which, there are many options for college, career, or military pursuits. American teachers have college degrees and professional training.  Beyond the academics, schools provide meals, technology, music, and sports programs.  Communities rally to support their favorite campus as they strive to inspire student success.  However, this is not true in many countries, where facilities are meager, teachers may have only a high school education, students may not attend past age 13, there’s no extra-curricular activities, and there are limited opportunities for education beyond high school.

   Over the last dozen years, I have had the opportunity to teach, preach, and speak in Communist, Muslim, and third-world countries, all of which allowed me to see a variety of educational settings.  In Bangladesh, I saw children go to school carrying a bucket, which served as a lunch pail on the way, and once they arrived, was turned over to become their seat for the day.  I taught at a Chinese university with facilities that would rival some American campuses.  In the Dominican Republic and Papua New Guinea, village schools were small block buildings with only basic resources.  I taught overseas at a school where the power went out every day, sometimes for minutes and sometimes for hours.  I spoke at a Christian school in Malaysia that was highly desired by Muslim families because it offered an “American” style of education.  In each case, I met individuals of all ages who expressed a desire to come to America and further their education.  While America’s school systems have many challenges, we are blessed to live where education is the “gold standard” of opportunity and remains the envy of millions around the world.

   I have spent all but a few years of my life in schools.  I became an educator in the 1980s, serving as a classroom teacher, coach, and athletic director during a span of 13 years.  I was then a principal for five years at another school and have been a professor of education for the last fifteen years, including 10 years as the dean of a school of education.  When I was introduced to my wife, Kellie, I was teaching high school and she was an elementary teacher.  Our lives have been deeply entwined with education, especially since we were a homeschool family for many years.  I have always loved the field of education, and I enjoy the opportunity to prepare a new generation of teachers.  One truth about education is that it’s changed much over the last few decades.  However, amid all the change, and whether it’s in America or a foreign country, one constant remains…parents want the best education for their children.  That good intention always generates one question, “What does it mean to be well educated?”

   It’s important to remember that among its truths, the Bible has much to say about education.  Training and development of all ages is a regular theme throughout the Scriptures.  That’s why on Sunday, August 25 we will celebrate “Back to School” in the morning services.  We will remember, reflect, and recognize the importance of education.  Most of all, this will be an opportunity to hear a biblical answer to the question, “What does it mean to be well educated?”  Indeed, education holds lots of potential, but when not understood correctly nor applied properly, it becomes an empty promise that leads to a hollow future.  Thankfully, God’s Word provides the essential answers.  Our responsibility is to understand and apply those answers so that we maximize the potential of what it means to be well educated. 

Dr. Harlie Miller, Associate Pastor