At the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Dallas this past week, I was able to moderate a panel discussion on the SBC and Christian Higher Education. Joining me on the panel were Dr. Rick Melson (President, Southwest Baptist University), Dr. Jonathan Akin (VP at Carson-Newman University), Dr. Jason Duesing (Provost, Midwestern Seminary and Spurgeon College), and Dr. David Dockery (President of Southwestern Seminary and Texas Baptist College). All these men have served in the context of higher education for a significant number of years.

We discussed a range of topics. Dr. Dockery began with an overview of the history of Christianity and higher education in the United States. He noted that from the earliest moments, higher education in America was “thoroughly Christian.” Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, however, institutions once dedicated to the Christian worldview have departed (e.g., Harvard and Yale are just two examples. See this book and this book to trace the slide historically). Dr. Duesing, leaning into his Baptist historian heart, noted how Baptists have influenced higher education, and Dr. Akin talked about how the Christian higher ed enterprise aims at accomplishing the Great Commission. Then, Dr. Melson moved the discussion to headwinds (i.e. challenges) and opportunities facing Christian schools today.

One of the last questions I asked was this: “Given the hostility to the Christian worldview in higher education, is it wise/prudent for Christian parents to send their kids to state or non-Christian schools?”

I believe it is safe to say that no one on the panel believed non-Christian education was the best option for Christian parents and students. In speaking about this, however, it was Dr. Akin who offered what I considered to be sage advice to parents. He said there are four things to “make sure of” that are worth noting if you’re sending your kids to non-Christian schools:

1. Are your kids believers? Share the gospel and (as much as it depends on you), make sure they believe in Jesus.
2. Make sure you have a good relationship with your children.
3. See to it that they join a faithful church while at college.
4. Encourage them to surround themselves with Christian friends.

Of course, we cannot regenerate hearts. But sending your unregenerate kids to a school run by and filled with unregenerate men and women who are hostile to the Christian faith seems like a less-than-wise idea. Like it or not, we live in a “negative world.” If your kids do attend a secular school, a good relationship with you will help. If you have a good relationship with them, they are more likely to talk to you about worldviews they are encountering and struggles they are having.

Akin’s third point is particularly helpful. We often encourage our kids to keep their membership at their home church. Perhaps find a church to regularly attend, sure. But there’s no need to join, or so some say. I would argue, however, that students should join a local church close to their university. They should commit to a local congregation where pastors can oversee their souls, and there is ecclesiastical authority in their lives. Finally, the company we keep shapes us. Encourage them to lean into Christian friendships. That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be a friend of sinners (like Jesus), but their closest friends and allies should be those, like them, who are united to Christ.

So, is it wise to attend non-Christian schools? I think it is increasingly hard to see the wisdom in sending our kids to schools that undermine the Christian faith at every turn. I’m not yet willing to put that in the sin bucket, only in the prudence bucket. So, if you do send them off to a secular school, do so with eyes wide open, with great care, and many prayers.

Happy to hear your thoughts!