Paul Nickerson

Paul Nickerson

Connecting to Local Schools

Many congregations are located near local public schools. Schools are often on the front-line of providing for the needs of many students and families. We can connect and serve our community through the school. Here are some of the best-practices churches have used to make that connection.First Steps: Find out what is needed

Set up an interview with the Principal to better understand the needs of the families in the schools.

Out of the conversation with the Principal find one need the church can address.

Pray that your church can connect with the school. Some churches have had prayer vigils, done a prayer walk around the school building or even prayed in each

Congregations Moving Forward

classroom at a time when students and teachers were not there.Listen and pray before you act.

Some Practical suggestions Some churches have brought breakfast to the teachers

on a regular basis to thank them for their work with the children of the community.

Other churches have had meals in which they have a “teacher appreciation” either in the school or at the church.

Congregations have sent members into each classroom to give the teacher a personal church contact for the year. When there are needs for supplies, readers, tutors, etc, the teacher contacts the church member.

Personal contacts can then send regular notes to teacher, thanking them for their work. Some churches have Sunday School children “adopt” a teacher for a year and send pictures and notes to that teacher.

Still other churches have had special Sunday worship services called, “Heroes of the Community” and have honored a group of teachers.

One church cooked a meal at the school for a “family fun nite” and met many families.

One church hosted a series of informational meetings for parents around issues such as: children and money; safe internet use; bullying issues, etc.

Many churches begin to make the connection by attending sporting events at a school, or concerts to begin to meet parents and children.

Other congregations have volunteered to work with the Parent-Teacher Organization and meet families.

Still other churches have become involved in reading programs and/or tutoring in local schools.

Other congregations have served refreshments to parents waiting to pick up their children in a parking lot.

Backpacks: Churches have given out backpacks filled with school supplies and in some cases, then filled the backpacks each Friday with food for children who will not have enough to eat over the weekend. Other churches have gone around neighborhoods or at a local park and done a “blessing of the backpacks” for families as a new school year begins.

One church even went down to the “bus barn” where all the school bus drivers get in their buses for the day and gave them coffee and donuts, thanking them for doing such a good job of driving the kids.

Another church organized barbers in the area to provide free haircuts for children a couple of days before school started. Another church organized dentists for a free clinic.

Sometimes there are maintenance needs in a school that a church can help with.

One church personalized the teachers’ lounge with pillows, chairs and pictures.

Many times, there are school office needs with registrations or regular weekly tasks that need attention.

Behind all these activities is the core belief that the people of God serve others. A school provides a cross-section of the community and offers many opportunities to meet human needs.These are just some of the common practices utilized by churches. The possibilities are endless. Go and make the connections and make a difference!

If you would like to read more, see Chuck Bomar’s book, Serving Local Schools.