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When we asked principals across the country about what issues are central to the health of their schools, time and time again we saw and heard the words Church Support. And unfortunately, many principals felt a lack of support and relationship with their local church. There is no doubt that the local church constituency has a major impact on schools, as well as Adventist education on the whole. Don’t miss our next episode, where we’ll take a look at these issues head on.
My school, Baltimore Adventist School, is contending with many challenges in maintaining a viable student population. The fact that we are a school supported by seven constituent churches instead of one makes our situation somewhat unique. As support of Adventist education declines, we must examine unconventional methods of promoting and operating our schools. I find the Pilot Light podcast a fresh vehicle for change.
Yes there is data that would suggest that there are pastors/churches who do not support Adventist education. There are schools that are not run well. However, I believe the biggest concern is that MHA’s constituent churches are tapped out. In good conscience, I can not ask my constituent churches for more. With tithe dwindling and more Adventist schools opening, it means less fiscal support for the current schools.
This year MHA’s Board voted a 25% increase in tuition. Fortunately the constituency recognizes that conference financial support has gone down (more schools = less subsidy, not a situation of lack of support of MHA) and that the school needs to be run as a business (can’t keep running deficit budgets).
Unfortunately we are in system that was designed in the early 40’s & 50’s. Unless we are willing to have an open discussion and place all options on the table, Adventist education will continue to struggle. Adventist education is no longer affordable for many of our newest members and (if Southeastern California Conference is any indication) a majority of our pastors have not attended Adventist K-12 schools.
P.S. – the pastor’s of MHA’s constituency are extremely supportive of the school
Brent Baldwin
Principal
Mile High Academy
We tend to have a lot of support for our church school. As far as finances go, the church is quite supportive of the school, and for that I am thankful. I would like to see more of a passion for working together. I think we often forget the original purpose for having Adventist education, and we often fail to see the mission fields that our churches can really be. I would like to see more involvement from the church on a personal level – getting involved with mentoring and coming for special presentations and field trips. That to me would be a dream come true.
Churches in our community are very unsupportive to schools