How should the Church and Academy interact with each other?
I am not certain how many of you are basketball fans but some of you may remember July 8, 2010, “The Decision’. It was the day LeBron James made the famous statement, “I am taking my talents to South Beach.” This would then form what was known as the “Big Three”. It changed the course of NBA history. In fact, LeBron, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh all decided to take pay cuts to make room for Mike Miller to join them. The “Big Three” in an interview stated that they were going to win 1, 2, 3, 4…7 championships. They ended up only wining 2 championships in 4 seasons together before LeBron left to go back to Cleveland.
What many don’t remember is this was not the first time a “Big Three” joined forces in the NBA. From 1968-1973 Wilt Chamberlin, Elgin Baylor, and Jerry West all played together forming what was called the “Super Team”. The Lakers reached the NBA finals twice, losing to the Celtics and Knicks but eventually winning a championship in 1972 before Chamberlain and West retired.
Why the history lesson on the NBA “Big Three”?
Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
Amos 3:3
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-13
We can get into conversation as to why the “Big Three” didn’t win the 7+ championships they said they were going to win, or we can just realize the real reason was lack of unity. It takes unity, walking together, to make things work.
Far too long the Church and Academy have disagreed with each other. They have tried to figure out who should be in charge, what body is more important, and who is doing a better a job at discipling families. What has suffered is the entire body of Christ. Like two parents in an argument, nearing or getting divorced and children caught in the middle, the disunity between the church and academy has caused the families to suffer, being caught in the middle of the fight. This is exactly how the enemy works. He first causes disunity and then he goes in and destroys.
Monthly we get calls from churches or schools who are on the verge of divorce. Sadly, it causes the entire body of Christ to suffer. The Home, Church, and School, working together could win championship after championship but due to pride and selfishness, we allow pettiness to interrupt what God could use.
Alan Pue writes,
“Of course, parents bear responsibility for discipling their children. Who is responsible for equipping parents for such a challenging role? Isn’t that a primary role of the church?”
This mindset creates a partnership where the academy can assist. The academy should never replace the church. Working together in unity, the church and the academy must understand they are to come alongside the parents in raising up the next generation. This partnership becomes a three-cord strand that is not easily broken. This partnership requires each entity to understand their unique gifting and calling. This partnership when functionally properly, in unity, advances the Kingdom.
We have heard all kinds of horror stories and from the outside looking in on these stories, the weight of blame is on both the church and the academy. We must strive for unity together and when that happens, we become the “Big Three” and “Super Team” that nothing can overtake. That unity begins with recognizing what God has called each of us to bring to the table in this battle. It requires us to humbly serve the King and not our own interests. Ultimately the academy should not be…
In place of…
In spite of…
In addition to…
BUT…A ministry of the Church.
Working in perfect harmony to advance the Kingdom.
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