The New Orphan? Ministry in K-12 Public Schools

As churches struggle with identity and declining members in an increasingly hyper-individualistic and pluralistic society, mission must be carefully reconsidered to bring about adaptive change. Public schools position themselves as a natural place to mingle with the people of the community. However, many churches’ missiological posture of attraction rather than immersion, in addition to the misinterpretation of how church and state should relate, keeps ministry away from the heart of the community. The 180° Symposium in 2017 identified “The New Orphan” as Youth Sabbath School. This metaphor now applies to elementary and secondary public schools. The Seventh-day Adventist Church has not officially focused on students attending public elementary or secondary schools, nor has it explored the missional opportunities inherent in these fields. Public K-12 school ministry should be adopted by the North American Division Youth and Young Adults Ministries Department (NADY&YA) based on psycho-social, missiological, and discipleship foundations.