Is There a Shortage of Christian School Teachers?
I still remember the shock of my first day of Bible college. After being in the public schools for thirteen years, I watched professors open classes in prayer and teach from the Bible. It was refreshing. Since then, I have had opportunities to speak in Christian schools and at Christian educator conventions. Being the president of a Bible college, I can say that I wholeheartedly believe in the importance of Christian education.
Sadly, I believe there is a rising shortage of Christian school teachers. Pastor and school administrators are contacting me about the need for teachers more than ever before. They are looking for men and women who have been called to serve in Christian education, and they are getting harder to find. Why is that? Having talked with many in Christian education in recent months, I would like to offer a few suggestions.
Some personnel in Christian colleges have emphasized the need for Christian teachers in public education to the neglect of our Christian schools. Years ago, these colleges taught the distinctive nature of Christian education and emphasized the need to start Christian schools and staff them. The growing emphasis on accreditation and certification in our Christian colleges has opened the door for graduates to teach in public schools. This development has split the stream of education majors and has helped cause a shortage of Christian school teachers. Christian education in America is more distinctive now than ever. While I am glad for salt and light in the public arena, I am also mindful of the need to teach our children a biblical worldview. Christian education can have a great part in this goal.
Teachers generally make more money and have more benefits in public education than Christian education. According to salary.com, the average elementary education teacher in Virginia makes more than $54,000 a year. According to ziprecruiter.com, the average Christian school teacher in the same state makes just over $34,000. Let us not be guilty of teaching our children to follow the money instead of the will of God. Some believe the answer to this shortage is higher wages. When it comes to ministry (which is what Christian teachers do), the answer must be calling, not pay.
COVID placed a strain on teachers that caused some to quit and as a result, increased the demand for Christian teachers. For well over a year, many Christian teachers were exposed to increased responsibilities of sending materials home to students, teaching remotely, and trying to keep their sanity in the process. Those teaching in urban areas were subjected to more scrutiny and restrictions by health officials. For some, the pressure proved to be too much.
It is easy to talk about the problem and what has caused it, but what is the solution? Some believe it is higher pay and more benefits. Others say that more education and preparation is needed. The words of Jesus offer the greatest solution to the shortage of teachers. He told his disciples in Matthew 16:24-25 . . .
If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
May many young men and women hear the call for Christian education. A life of sacrifice and surrender is better than a life of ease and fame.
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