Because of the strong connection between education and family life, these statistics also call for churches to build and strengthen families, as well as create alternative education opportunities for inner-city children that form and shape them to be knowledgeable and virtuous citizens.

One of the weaknesses in the current missional emphasis in urban church planting is the lack of commitment to planting Christian schools.

Too many missional Christians equate Christian schools with withdrawing from the culture. But Christian schools also can be a way to serve society by providing education alternatives for people who need them.

Outside of a church, there is no better way, institutionally speaking, to demonstrate love for our neighbors than to provide education that surpasses failing public schools in quality and virtue, especially in inner cities. Planting churches simply is not enough to affect social change.

By not having “salt and light” Christian schools (Matthew 5:13-16) we are squandering an opportunity to do much good for our society. It is strategic to note that whoever teaches the nation’s children shapes the future of the culture.

Think about it. Children spend more time at school, from kindergarten through 12th grade, than they do at church-related activities. Because of the time kids spend at school, salt and light Christian schools can serve Christian and non-Christians alike in radical ways in an inner-city context. This is education as missions.

How can you plant a church in a community for renewal and not also have a vision for renewing the neighborhood’s education system?

Anthony Bradley is an Associate Professor of Theology and Ethics at The King’s College, NYC.

Read More: http://online.worldmag.com/2011/01/19/a-missional-approach-to-education/