NEED - REALITY - LEGALITY - HOW TO

1.Evidence of need for prayer in school ( PINS).

 Most anywhere we look in today’s culture the need for prayer in school is evident.  Most statistics about teenage behavior will reveal the need to bring prayer in school (PINS) to the forefront again. Peer pressure is so strong in this “feel good culture” that without prayerful help for our students, they will fail to live good moral lives. In a recent counseling session with a teen daughter and father, the young lady declared to both of us, “ You guys don’t have a clue!” She is so right. Drugs, alcohol and sex are only part of the sinful temptations our students face today. Volumes could be written on the need for PINS and still we would fall short of full explanation about how great the need is.

 2. Reality of PINS.

 Prayer in school is a reality now. In Union County, Tennessee, PINS was implemented in the year 2000 with awesome results. Principals, teachers and bus drivers testify to the fact of less discipline problems and of better behavior among all students. One teacher commented to an aide, “I hope nothing changes the routine of Morning Prayer with our students because they have such a peace about them when they return to class after praying together in the gym.” After the student prayed for the coaching staff, the football coach came under conviction and made a profession of faith in Christ at a local Sunday church service. Students have had the same experience with some being saved in local churches following PINS. Students have a constitutional right to pray before or after school, or in between class. Prayer at the flagpole is good, but students can meet together on campus to pray with one another on a weekly or even daily basis.

 3. Legality of PINS.

 If a public secondary school (usually middle through high school) allows at least one secular non-curriculum-related student group on campus, then the school may not forbid students from meeting together in a Christian club.  These students who meet together for prayer must receive equal treatment to the treatment afforded to the secular clubs.  There can be no discrimination as to the time, place or benefits provided to the secular clubs.  If the secular clubs are allowed to meet during the school day, then the Christian club must be allowed to meet during the school day.  If the school public address system is used for announcements for secular clubs, then they must provide equal access to the PINS people to announce the time and place of Morning Prayer. PINS can not be discriminated against and must be treated with equal respect to other secular activities.

 If the school does not have at least one secular non-curriculum-related student group on campus, or if the facility is an elementary school, then the same equal treatment must be provided to the students as is provided to any non-school group.  For example, if the school allows groups to meet outside of school hours such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Little League, or any other non-school group, then the school must allow the prayer meetings.  The meeting by non-school groups will generally occur before or after school.  If the school allows an adult to lead the Boy Scouts after school hours, then an adult may also lead the student prayer meetings.  Permission slips are not necessary, but when the younger students meet together after school for an adult-led prayer meeting, it is a good idea to have the students obtain a permission slip from their parents or legal guardians.

 When the students meet together, they can offer either silent or verbal prayer.  If school officials desire to attend these student meetings, they must generally be present in a non-participatory capacity.  School officials may voluntarily meet together with each other before or after school in the same manner the school allows school personnel to hold secular meetings.

 3. How to begin.

 Prayerfully. Obediently. Carefully.

Prayerfully-I personally spent many months in prayer before going to the students to help them organize for this effort.

Obediently-Let God lead you into this opportunity

Carefully-Follow legal guidelines.  Don’t make the school or government officials mad in your early preparations.  Exhaust every diplomatic measure first before considering any legal action against the system-remember they have been fed a tremendous amount of misinformation and are convinced this is illegal and violates”separation of Church and state.” We must inform people of their constitutional rights and if necessary read from the “bill of rights.” The phrase, “separation of Church and state”, is not found in the Constitution. It is a myth created to confuse Christians about their rights.  The Constitution was not meant to silence people of faith.  The United States Supreme Court has stated that there is a big difference between government-sponsored speech and privately-sponsored speech.  Voluntarily meeting together to pray is clearly private speech that the Constitution protects.

 4.  Implementation.

 You can help students organize for PINS at your Church. I recommend that you call a meeting of all high school students and help them elect a chair and co-chair person. Formulate a plan to approach the principal, School Superintendent or  School board. Present the proper information (found on this web site) to all concerned parties.  Let them read and digest this information, and then ask for permission to begin PINS before class each morning. When all parties understand that the students have a legal right to pray, they will likely be supportive of PINS.

 5.  Follow up,

 It is very important to follow up with encouragement and confirm the information given to the school officials as well as the students. Many times the teacher or principal will become nervous when some “concerned parent” objects to the prayer in school (PINS). They must be informed that the student has a right to pray and that the “concerned parent” has a right to not permit their child to participate in the prayer.

At the beginning of a new school year the procedure has to be repeated the same as at first. Very seldom will someone take the initiative to begin PINS without encouragement and redistribution of information. Your preparation meetings with the students regarding PINS should take place off campus.