Though released time Bible instruction during school hours was ruled constitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1952, few churches have taken up the challenge to offer such classes in public schools—so few that Christian Legal Society has called the programs “the overlooked open door” to influencing public school students for Christ and good character. But that appears to be changing.

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Starting in 2019, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Ohio, and Utah passed laws allowing high school elective credits for released time classes, and this summer Oklahoma and Indiana joined them. At least three more states have similar laws in the pipeline. The programs allowed are possible in K through 12 grades and must have parental consent, be privately funded, and operate off campus.

Momentum is building, according to Ken Breivik, executive director of School Ministries, Inc., which guides churches in starting and sustaining Christian released time courses. A different organization, Lifewise Academy, has seen exponential growth in its character-building classes since launching in 2019: over 300 schools in 11 states participated in 2023.

Breivik says that as released time programs expand, they occasionally find that a class has already been quietly operating for years. There’s no need to be furtive about it, he says, attributing timidity to “an inaccurate perception in training education professionals that anything of a religious nature is to be avoided.”

All religions are allowed to teach their own content. For example, Jewishhour.org fosters Jewish education throughout New York City. Prayer, proselytizing, and singing are allowed, since the activity is not provided by taxpayers. In Christian programs, some youngsters do make decisions for Christ. Sample training materials for Christian released time teachers can be found at the website for Release Time Christian Education.

The devil is in the details

No matter what curriculum is chosen, there is a risk that teachers could inculcate a particular stripe of Christianity that offends a family’s beliefs, or wanders into a political application. Clarity with families at the outset about the content and approach of a class will minimize that risk.

Administrators or community members have expressed other concerns at some aspects of various released time proposals. Pastor Derek Hickman said after a release time presentation, “Personally, I am not comfortable with any offering of religious teaching during the school day because I fear it would make some students feel left out or somehow less-than. I value the growing diversity represented” in his school district.

One superintendent worries that even though the program proposed would meet during lunch periods, that instructional time would be curtailed. Will Parker, an award-winning administrator and education consultant, says that if credit is given, only certified teachers should teach the class.

The classes are promoted through any of the same channels given to secular activities like scouting or volunteer opportunities; the school district must have a neutral policy that does not favor secular or religious options. Signup days at the beginning of a semester are often the best means of getting the word out, says Breivik.

The logistics of getting kids safely delivered and accounted for to the off-campus site and back to school have been worked out over decades. In some places, a church or nonprofit brings a bus either to transport the students or to host the class in the bus marked and fitted up for that purpose. A library nearby might furnish a meeting room on request.

Individual drivers are usually covered by the nonprofit that assists churches with released time, Justin Monfort, pastor of New Life Christian Center in Celina, Ohio, a church partnering with School Ministries in released time classes for four school districts. Individual drivers can seek coverage on their existing insurance policy if that is needed.

According to Monfort, the released time instructor must provide an attendance record to be turned in at the school office. Students who don’t participate may engage in other elective activities on school property, or have a study hall.

High school class schedules are notoriously fluid. Special assemblies, fields trips, and tournaments frequently upend the day. “That’s why we say, ‘Blessed are the flexible,’” he quips. Communication with the school and having volunteers who are on their toes will make the impossible possible.

Worth the squeeze

Despite logistical challenges, significant learning curves, and some suspicion in the press, “Parents love it,” said Joel Penton, CEO of LifeWise Academy in an April podcast interview. “It’s been an overwhelmingly positive response from parents, from communities, from churches, from school administrators—they know there’s a crisis of character….There’s a large chunk of parents who will spend tens of thousands of dollars to send their children to private religious schools….They want Bible education in their kids’ life, but very few parents are able to do that.”

The classes are an opportunity for evangelism as well as discipleship. It’s estimated that as many as 70% of youngsters who take released time courses do not attend a church (though Monfort’s experience indicates more like 25%), and that 92% receive no Bible instruction from a parent. One district’s program reports hundreds of professions of faith during its years of ministry; Monfort says his group sees 2-3 kids per month being converted. If they ask about baptism, they are directed to their parents to find a church if the parents so wishes.

Students and schools are benefiting from the classes. One study showed that attendees scored better in almost every category of literacy skills as well as in socialization. LifeWise Academy schools see decreases in suspensions and increases in school attendance. School Ministries echoes these findings, and even suggests that parents may be more likely to keep their kids in public school when an option for character education and Bible literacy is offered.

As a pastor, Monfort says pastors and congregations “get excited” when they see all the ways they can offer support to public school released time programs: preparing snacks, praying for classes, serving as “walkers” between the campus and the program site, and showing kindness to the sites sending and hosting the students. He says all these are great ways to “connect the church to the community.”

Monfort appreciates the 33 classes per week now being taught in the 4 school districts around his church. A variety of churches lend personnel; he says, “It’s imperative that we unite beyond denominational differences for the common purpose of making Christ known to students.”

PRAY that churches will embrace the opportunity to influence children and their families through offering released time classes in their local schools.

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Leah Farish is an award-winning civil rights attorney, author, and host of the Conversation Balloons podcast. Photo Credit: CDC on Unsplash.