For centuries, Europe’s Roman Church attempted to exercise substantial control over the state and the state returned the favor. Sovereigns wanted everyone in their realm to adopt their religion and to belong to state churches that they controlled. English and Scottish Presbyterians attempted to correct that. The Westminster Confession of Faith specified that God ordained the state to promote the public good and to punish evil, and gave the church the word and sacraments (WCF 23:1-3, 25:3, 31:4). Therefore, while the church should not meddle in “civil affairs,” pastors may advise magistrates (31:4).

Pastors, elders, and godly parents rightly take interest in the education and nurture of their children, and as a result action-minded Christians start schools. Christian schools represent a natural or spontaneous result of faith, and the Lord is pleased with such loving motives and acts. Nevertheless, when a church attempts to govern the school it has created the results are often mixed. Theology can explain why.

At a merely pragmatic level, church schools demand substantial time and energy. Pastors commonly feel that proper oversight of a school takes time away from their core duties and they respond by delegating or by reducing their time spent in school oversight. Schools perceive this. Feeling neglected, both parents and school leaders resent that the church possesses a level of authority that exceeds its expertise and commitment, and they view church authority as an intrusion. Pastors sense the resentment and think, “We have given them a building, we cover maintenance and utilities, and we offer oversight. Why are they upset?” But if churches govern their schools poorly, resentment is not an unreasonable response.

I will argue that churches should help to start schools—as well as counseling centers, orphanages, hospitals, food banks, and more—but that they should not permanently govern these entities. While it is not morally wrong for a church to govern a school or a food bank, there is a better way. If a church creates a school, it should secure the necessary financial and human resources necessary for that school to succeed, then release it from ecclesiastical authority to pursue self-government.

The argument for this position begins with the church’s mission. Jesus instructed his church to “make disciples of all the nations,” to preach repentance, to offer forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name, and to witness to him across the earth, across time (Matt. 28:19, Luke 24:47 John 20:19, Acts 1:8, 2 Tim. 2:2). We could say, “The church’s task is to preach and teach Christ from God’s word, and then see what happens next.” To be sure, making disciples includes following Christ in every aspect of life – family, work, leisure, and more. But the church must help people to understand work and leisure while at the same refraining from running work training programs or summer camps.

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