With the bankruptcy of the educational system in our country, Christians have been rediscovering principles of educating their children that are rooted in biblical principles. But with this rediscovery, some are also realizing that within the covenant community, parents (who have the primary role of educating their children, or at least supervising the process) need not - and according to Scripture, should not-work alone. The church is being challenged as never before in modern times to realize its role in the educational process of its children. The church has not been as faithful as it should to the baptismal vow to assist, support, and work with parents in implementing their parental role.

Eric Wallace understand the principles of uniting the church and home, and is working to bring together the home, school, and church in a way that develops those principles very practically. Realizing that parents use the public school, home school, and Christian school, Wallace has attempted to demonstrate how the church can offer assistance no matter what the parent's educational choice. In doing so, he has also shown how the home and family can be integrated in the ministry of the church in evangelism as well as the educational process.

We are concerned that some divide and define educational responsibilities so tightly that parents do not always see their need for the church community and the church often resents those who don't' see that need; hence, there is a failure to integrate and coordinate the process. Though many have criticized the statement, "It takes a village to raise a child," we realize from Deuteronomy 6 and following that it does take the cooperative efforts of the covenant community to raise a child. Wallace writes:

"I need to define the term I believe is essential to understanding the concept  of an integrated church. The word is "household." As I have worked with others in helping churches to become integrated, we have found it important to use the term "household" rather than "family" when discussing the organizational units of successfully integrated churches. The word "household" as I define it means much more than simple "family." A household may consist of a nuclear family - Dad, Mom, and kids - but it also refers to single-parent families, couples without children, and men and women of all ages who are unmarried or widowed, some of whom may choose to join to another household. In other words, it is any group of people in the church who live and fellowship together."

I recommend this book based not only on its content, but also on my knowledge of the actual practice of these principles in Wallace's church, Harvester PCA, in Springfield (Alexandria), Virginia, pastored by Ron Bossom. This book contains not only concepts to discuss but also ideas that are really working there and at other churches that have followed this, or a similar, patter. (Some will fit our Reformed, Presbyterian context more than other.)

You will also find favorable comments in the book by over a dozen well-known educators. For example, Dr. John White, President of Geneva College, "This book is a must read for Evangelical parents, church leaders, and educators." I agree and recommend Uniting Church and Home to you. We will be hearing more from the writer and this concept of church, home, and school partnership as it relates to educating our covenant children (and those not yet inside that community) because already this model is attracting much attention from the surrounding community.

- Charles Dunahoo, CEP Coordinator