A 2006 Southern Baptist Convention resolution urged Christian families to remove their children from the public schools. Listen in as host Mike Smith discusses that resolution with cosponsor Bruce Shortt, on today’s Home School Heartbeat.
Mike Smith:
Bruce, last time you described the SBC education resolution that encouraged Southern Baptists to develop an exit strategy from public schools. How did the resolution fare?
Bruce Shortt:
Well, Mike, for the last three annual meetings, the resolutions committee has prevented our resolutions from being debated and voted on. This year, we had two members of the committee speak out publicly in favor of the resolution, but we also had members strongly opposed. The result was a deadlock on our resolution, but two resolutions recognizing that the government schools are profoundly troubled did emerge from the committee and were overwhelmingly passed. Frankly, it’s becoming harder and harder within the SBC and other denominations to ignore the fact that the government schools are destroying our children spiritually, morally, and intellectually.
Mike:
Even though the resolution did not pass, is there some good news, Bruce?
Bruce:
There are two pieces of good news, Mike. First, our resolution significantly advanced the debate concerning how Christians should educate our children—not only within the SBC, but also among Christians generally. Second, we submitted a motion directing LifeWay to investigate, among some other things, the impact of government schools on our children, and report back to the SBC by the 2007 annual meeting. That motion passed without opposition. But more important than anything that happens at a denominational level, is what we as homeschoolers are doing today. I hope that every homeschooler will make time to engage in a little homeschool evangelism by helping at least one family every year into homeschooling.
Mike:
Bruce, thank you very much for a very informative week. Until next time, I'm Mike Smith.
