A member (who also serves as the sponsor for her school’s Good News Club) had allowed some of her students to pick up Good News Club flyers from her classroom after school one day. Shortly after, the principal took the flyers from the students and told them they were not allowed to pass them out to other students. The principal also said that, as a teacher, she was not permitted to give them to the students. Concerned and frustrated, this member contacted Christian Educators to find out if this was true. 

As I talked with this member, it became apparent that the principal has never been in favor of this club and has even attempted to shut it down at times. In addition, the principal was now facing a lot of pressure from an attorney in the community regarding the separation clause and the member’s actions as the sponsor of the Good News Club. However, because the school also allowed secular clubs to pass out flyers, it was clear that this member could fight the principal’s ban and win. But despite the circumstances, we sensed that the Spirit was inviting her to take a step back from promoting and leading the club, give the principal grace, and submit to authority. We prayed that her principal would appreciate this approach and allow her to be an example of Christ’s love and grace. 

So, our member decided to continue attending the club, but refrain from promoting or leading it. She prayed that God would provide other teachers to come alongside her and lead, and she trusted God to prompt students to attend the club instead of worrying about flyers. She also asked God to give her the words and the opportunity to talk with her principal about the ban if that was His will. However, after going to her principal’s office on four different occasions, only to find an empty office every time, she knew God wanted her to let it go and fully surrender this situation to Him. 

Just a couple of months after the principal’s ban, 79 students regularly attend the Good News Club meetings, and four teachers in her building have stepped up to lead. Prior to the ban, fewer than 25 students attended, and she was the only consistent leader. Her principal has stopped questioning the club and her involvement, and their communication is otherwise consistently positive. God is truly blessing her obedience!