Strategy
There are three key pieces to Crossroads’ strategy for helping churches to engage with local public elementary schools:
Know the FACTS
Many churches are unaware of the access that they have to public schools. When a school district opens up its doors to outside groups of any kind, it has created what the law calls a “limited public forum.” The forum is limited in that a school is able to limit the scope of the public access to particular types of activities, but it is public, which means that a district cannot restrict the free-speech rights of forum participants. Crossroads can help you understand what access you might have in your particular local school based on some preliminary research of that individual school. Please contact us if you are interested in learning more.
Make FRIENDS
While it is important to know the facts before approaching a school, it is best not to lead with those facts. Rather we advise churches to meet with a school's principal and to seek common ground. You love the children in that school because Jesus loves them. Your love for them means that you want what's best for them. The vast majority of school principals also want to see the children in their schools do well. This common concern for the children can lead to real partnership in time. It is key to approach the school with love and humility and a genuine concern for the students.
Share FAITH
Knowing the facts that allow your church to go into a school and developing a friendship with a school’s leadership are solid first steps toward impacting a school community. However, Crossroads believes that we must share the Word of Jesus in addition to his love. It is when children and families respond to Jesus’ invitation to new and abundant life through him that lives are changed and impact is realized. Therefore, we are an unapologetically Christian organization that has a gospel-oriented approach.