Sunday, September 21st, is designated as Educators Sunday to recognize and honor educators who are making a positive impact on our youth. The 3rd Sunday of the month is chosen for this congregational recognition because it is the Sunday before See You at the Pole, the student-led prayer in public schools. Since 1985, CEAI has encouraged congregations in America to set aside one Sunday each year (it doesn't have to be the 3rd Sunday in September) to commission all educators as ambassadors for Christ.
Did you realize that the public schools (over 55 million students) are one the largest mission fields in the world? Educators touch these students each and every day with God's love. Let's encourage them to be legal and graceful Christians. Some of things your congregation can do include:
- Praying for and commissioning educators for service in the classroom and local school.
- Focus attention on educators during a regularly scheduled service or community event by celebrating their importance and contributions.
- Feature testimonials of and by educators who have had a positive influence in the lives of students, parents, and fellow staff members.
Educators are all adults who interact with the students including teachers, administrators, staff (classroom aides, office staff, cafeteria staff, bus drivers and more). If you are an educator we would like to encourage, equip and empower you to be Jesus with skin on.
We encourage you to realize that you are NOT alone. There are thousands of Christians in the public schools. In fact, there are more on your campus than you are even aware of because most people think you cannot share your faith in the public schools. Much misinformation has been spread over the last few decades. We encourage you to seek out other Christians and pray with them before or after school.
We would like to equip you by adding to your toolbox the Word of God and prayer. Join up with hundreds and perhaps someday thousands of educators who pray together each day at 1:16PM. For more information, go to www.one16pray.com. Another community building tool is Around the Word in 180 Days where we are reading the same chapter from the Word of God each school day. You can listen to Around the Word in 180 Days online, through our FREE app or on any device.
Finally, we would like to empower you to know the law. As Christians, we are under the authority of our administration, district and laws of the United States of America. The best way to understand what is permissible and what is not is by being a legal and graceful Christian. This blog (The 16-9 Movement) is dedicated to understanding the first 16 words of the Constitution and the 9 Fruit of the Spirit. Please read the first entry of this blog for the best summary of being legal and graceful.
Most of all, know that being an educator is a high calling and that you represent our Lord each and every day. Be Jesus - no words are necessary.
As always I am
Prayerfully dependent on Him,
K
PS. Don’t forget to spread the word about the 1:16PM Prayer Movement and Around the Word in 180 Days:
• Visit, "like", and add comments the 1:16PM Facebook page and the Around the World in 180 days Facebook page.
• Follow us on Twitter for the prayer prompts @one16pray
May God bless you with success His way this 2014-2015 school year.
Note: To more fully understand the 16-9 Movement, please read the first blog entry by clicking here.
Christian Educators Association International is the only professional association in the United States specifically for Christian educators in public schools. CEAI protects our members first in prayer, next with excellent professional liability insurance and other benefits while helping them live out their high calling as a Christian in the public school.
