Neighborhood Ministries

In Europe, only the wealthy got an education. Then America pushed for universal education and it opened up a time of great economic prosperity. Now with failing public schools, we are fast returning to where only the rich get a quality education. Churches have been using their extra space for schools for a long time but were expensive, since they received no public funds. Churches have a lot of space that is normally not used during the week and Sunday School rooms are often ideal for classes. New online curriculums make less demand for trained teachers. Currently church-based schools are mainly limited to large affluent churches who can afford to subsidize their schools to make them more affordable. Ohio Christian Ed Network and Center For Christian Virtue are partnering to develop schools in churches to provide Christ-based education at a low cost because they meet in churches. As a result, they have low overhead and can still provide a quality curriculum. They just opened their first church this year and plan to open more next year. Such schools are usually smaller and closer to students than public schools who have been increasingly moving towards consolidated schools with long bus rides to school. Churches and their members can assist the expansion of Church-based education by starting a school of their own or supporting schools in nearby churches through donations to the schools and scholarships for students, particularly those from their own church.

With many schools failing to teach and with all the teaching supporting free sex, abortion, Gay rights, and socialism, many parents are becoming frustrated with their schools.  In addition, with increasing bullying, violence, and male access to girl’s bathroom and shower facilities, students are feeling increasingly afraid at school. As a result, an increasing number of parents are looking for alternatives. Currently, public schools enjoy an advantage because they are supported by the community and free to students where parents who want their kids to have quality and safe education have to pay taxes to support the public schools as well as pay tuition to a private school. Christian schools currently do not often get federal funds because many States have rules preventing public money from going to church related schools in spite of the Constitution’s prohibition against discrimination on the basis of religion. In addition, many Christian schools are afraid to apply for public funds because they are afraid that they could be coerced to teach things that violate their beliefs by the government threatening to withhold funds. Churches can also push for laws expanding the use of vouchers to include all students so parents can choose the school best for their children and not be prevented by cost. A number of  States like Ohio are currently considering bills to expand their voucher systems.