Editor’s Note: In our last installment “How I Became Involved In Christian Release Time Ministry”, we published part of Mr. Humber’s story relating to how Christian Release Time ministries have grown in Philadelphia, PA and how they might grow where you are? How many UCC churches are just a short walk from a public school that might want to participate? In this second article, Mr. Humber provides some basic information on the Christian Release Time Ministry. Mr. Humber’s website is www.CRMinistriesPhilly.com
Christian Released Time in Philadelphia resumed in November of 2002 and has been going on ever since. In fact, new schools have been added every year.
What is CRT (Christian Released Time)?
It has long been allowed that public school children, with parent permission, may be released to off-campus locations during regular school hours to receive religious instruction. This instruction may included the worship of Jesus, singing, learning the Gospel of salvation, studying the Bible, praying, and praising God for His Creation.
Who is Responsible for This?
Ultimately, the Lord Jesus Christ is responsible for this. He said He would build His church, and churches all over Philadelphia, in obedience to the Lord’s command, have been reaching out to public school children so that they can come to faith in Jesus.
On a more secular level, CRT is legal in every State of the Union, but there are some States that actually have a law explicitly affirming Released Time. In Pennsylvania, for example, the law says that if parents sign, etc, then the superintendent “shall” release the students.
What About the So-Called Separation of Church & State?
Many people are confused about this. Here’s what the Supreme Court said about Released Time: “When the state encourages the religious instruction or cooperates with religious authorities by adjusting the schedule of public events to sectarian needs, it follows the best of our traditions. For it respects the nature of our people and accommodates the public service to their spiritual needs.” (Justice William O. Douglas, in Zorach v. Clauson (343 U.S. 313-14, 1952).)
About the so-call separation, Chief Justice William Rehnquist wrote: “The ‘wall of separation between church and state’ is a metaphor based on bad history, a metaphor which has proved useless as a guide to judging. It should be frankly and explicitly abandoned” (1985).
Recent democratic and republican presidents affirm the legitimate place of faith in America. For example, here is what former President Bill Clinton had to say: “Nothing in the First Amendment converts our public schools into religion-free zones, or requires all religious expression to be left behind at the schoolhouse door. While the government may not use schools to coerce the consciences of our students, or to convey official endorsement of religion, the public schools also may not discriminate against private religious expression during the school day. Religion is too important in our history and our heritage for us to keep it out of our schools…[I]t shouldn’t be demanded, but as long as it is not sponsored by school officials and doesn’t interfere with other children’s rights, it mustn’t be denied” (July 12, 1995).
So How can People get Involved with CRT?
One person you are welcome to consult is Paul G. Humber. Paul has had decades of experience in the fields of education and theology; he is familiar, in other words, with the worlds of principals and pastors.
CRT can happen without Paul, but he has been integrally involved with just about every CRT effort begun in Philadelphia since November of 2002. His website is www.CRMinistriesPhilly.com. He lives in Philadelphia, has met with many principals and pastors, and one of his books has a whole chapter on how CRT got restarted in Philadelphia. The book is available on www.amazon.com; it is called Evolution Exposed
What are the Main Steps?
After praying, identify a school you would like to reach for Jesus. Then, locate a building near the school (perhaps a church building). Contact the pastor and/or board. Ask if they are willing to reach out to students in the school. If they are, then contact the principal of the school and set up a meeting. Prepare a flier for distribution to students. There are a variety of approaches of getting the fliers into the hands of students. One that has been very successful is giving attractive fliers to children as they leave school for home. (There is a School District Policy allowing for this.) A parent signs the form, and the student returns the form to the school office. Once signed forms arrive, CRT classes may begin. You can do this on your own, or you can solicit Paul Humber’s free assistance.
Pedagogically Sound!
There are benefits to students participating in Released Time classes. Such classes reinforce the class-room skills of reading, public speaking, drama, singing, and critical thinking. They also help students understand how to get along with others in constructive ways by doing for others what they would like others to do for them. This challenges the default worldview that to “survive” in this world you must push and prove yourself be the “fittest”. The classes help students receive hope and motivation to do better even with respect to their regular classes. They learn that they are not “accidents” in the universe. The classes encourage responsibility and initiative to keep up with homework assignments. In other words, the students actually have an increased academic workload. Many educators would consider this a positive thing.
