The relay race of Christians in Education
Matt Wan, founder of Cross Connecting, shares his thoughts on the importance of positive partnerships between Christians involved in education and how working together can help children and young people flourish.
It can feel lonely as a Christian working in a school. We want our faith to make a positive difference, but it is not always clear what is possible or how freely we can express our Christian identity. Many of us would love to support collective worship, help start a lunchtime Christian club, or even run a Youth Alpha. Yet these opportunities can seem out of reach, especially where even having a Bible on a classroom shelf attracts odd looks from colleagues.
Christians often describe the Christian life as a marathon rather than a sprint. There is real truth in that image; following Jesus does require being ready to persevere through the long haul (which can certainly feel like the reality for many of us as Christians in the education sector!). But is that really the Christian life that we’re all called to, in all its fullness? A long slog to endure and persevere through? Or is it more than this?
This is where I think picturing the Christian life as a marathon is incomplete. Rather, the Christian life can (and should!) be compared to a Relay Race, where any one of us can only take the race so far by running one leg, before we then pass on the baton to the next runner who can go further than we could ever have alone. Different people, different roles, but one race. This is how God often works through His people. We each play our part, using the opportunities He has given us, while others build on what we have begun.
As Christians in the teaching profession, we may only be able to do what we feel is relatively small, perhaps by “only” being excellent teachers which builds trust over time and shows something of the Lord Jesus whom we’re delighted to serve diligently. And perhaps in some contexts, it might be too far for us to get involved in corporate worship or Youth Alpha at school. But that doesn’t mean the race ends there. What about others to whom you can hand the proverbial baton?
Increasingly across the UK, many churches and Christian organisations are actively looking for ways to support their local schools, whether through mentoring, collective worship, lunchtime clubs, Christian schools work, Youth Alpha, wellbeing initiatives, or practical support for families. Many more are seeking to support their school’s needs. The only problem they have is the school’s awareness and trust, where often it takes many years to build a relationship with a local school, who may finally permit their local church to help out at school. But what if there were already someone at school, who could accelerate the process of building trust between a school and a church / Christian organisation? What if there were teachers who are Christians, who could act as the connector, the catalyst, and help the Church partner with the school in a time when there is so much social need and even spiritual hungeramongst young people; needs that the Church can serve? Could we as Christian teachers be the vital link here, the ones to pass the baton on to others who can do more than any of us could ever do alone?
Perhaps God has placed you in your school not only to be a faithful teacher, but also to notice opportunities that others cannot see. You understand your school's culture, needs and priorities in a way that no outside organisation or church can. That unique position may enable you to help establish relationships that benefit pupils, support staff, and strengthen your local community.
The question is therefore not, "what can I faithfully do on my own?" but "who has God already placed around me that I could invite into this relay race?". One trusted conversation with your headteacher, one introduction to a local church leader, one offer to lend use to your classroom, or even one suggestion for support in an area of need could be the start of something far bigger than you imagine. So take heart, Christian teacher: this race was never meant to be run alone.