The Cultural Commission

Posted by chuck maxwell on April 16th, 2009 filed in Chuck's blog

I have had several conversations lately about our cultural commission, especially as it applies to public schools. I really do not mean to be mean or critical. And I need to guard against being seen as “anti-Christian school.” Help me with that. I apologize if I have come across that way to you Christian/home schoolers (of which we used to be). I am really trying to find a way to articulate and encourage folks in making these kinds of choices. I have never been or felt criticized for being in the public school either.

Here’s a few thoughts after more reflection…and I think they can apply to other contexts of our cultural commission as well.
The great commission sends us to all nations, also meaning people groups. Perhaps, with the state of our public school system, we can look at it as a mission field. Perhaps God calls some, either by choice, or by default like the Maxwell’s, to go to that field and carry the gospel. (Not implying that the Maxwell’s shared the gospel at every turn:)) Some mission fields are more risky than others. But some consider the gospel opportunity worth the risk, even for their family. Much like the Pflasterer’s, DeLaughter’s and Bustrum’s have done in a culture that certainly has a different paradigm for life or education. And their kids are not in a Christian catechism educational system. (The Pflasterer’s do catechize at home.) They could not wait on the education of their kids to get on with what God had called them to do. But they are involving their family in the mission. Missions are much more effective when done incarnationally. When the sent are living among, not like, the lost. As oppposed to going in, giving a witness, and then leaving to go back to “our world.” Maybe like the difference in short term mission trips, and career missions.

So perhaps we should pray more for the teachers and familes that are in there. Pray for more workers to be sent there. Wherever there is. Arts. Music. Government. Still equipping every child through the family and church to make a difference in the world. Unfortunately, some of our kids will be affected and perhaps less Bible saturated than those in Christian educational environments. The home and church are more critical for those families. But imagine what the culture would be like if all Christ followers pulled out because that arena of culture has gone Godless.

Still processing it. Humbly I hope.