What is a Christian Leadership Center?

Many Released Time Bible Education programs exist across the country, including Fannin, Gilmer and White Counties in the north Georgia mountains. All have the same characteristics: they work closely with local school boards, students receive course credits from the county/city schools, classes are considered elective credits by the school system, classes are held off campus, the Centers do not receive government support (they are self-funding), all of the course offerings are biblically based, each sponsoring organization is a 501(c)3 nonprofit entity, classes are taken voluntarily with parent approval, classes are offered free of charge and students attend during the regular school day.

To make this point perfectly clear, Released Time programs are legal and constitutional. Public school students are allowed to study the Bible, learn its life applications and develop a walk with Christ during the school day. Such a program offers students an opportunity to spend part of their school day studying the Bible not just academically but also devotionally. It’s the only legal means available to Christians to teach the Bible’s content and life-application as part of the school day.

The local Board of Education must be involved because students leave school to attend the RTBE class for which they receive elective credit toward graduation. Such attendance is voluntary and with parental permission. RTBE’s are actual schools with qualified and competent teachers. Instruction does not take place on the school grounds, it takes place off school grounds at a location provided by the sponsoring organization, in this case being the Appalachian Christian Leadership Council (ACLC). If the RTBE school is not within walking distance of the public school, ACLC provides transportation.

No state or federal taxes are used. This school will be privately funded by churches, community organizations and individuals.

RTBE schools thrive by bringing hope to youth through a solid love-based relationship between student and teacher. Too many of our nation’s children, including many in the Bible Belt of North Georgia and Western North Carolina have never been to church, much less read the Bible. The ACLC, by bringing together Christian leaders and volunteers, has the passion to correct this problem and introduce biblical knowledge to more and more biblically illiterate students.

Besides the obvious result of a better biblically knowledgeable student body, another strong impetus to support a RTBE school is outlined in a report from the National Council on Crime and Delinquency that shows:

RTBE students perform better both academically and behaviorally.

Developing a RTBE school in conjunction with any of the public schools in the Quad-County region is a monumental task. Here are some of the details that must be completed before the project comes to fruition.

1. Initiate conversations with school board members of the four counties with the ultimate goal of receiving permission to begin a RTBE program in their schools.
   This will NOT be a shotgun approach. One public school in one county will be the primary focus. After a RTBE school has been successfully launched in that school district, a second in another county will be pursued.
2. Secure a facility near the targeted high school (middle school) – purchasing, building, renting, donated.
3. Create personnel policies and secure necessary teachers.
4. In conjunction with RTBE school personnel, develop a curriculum. Potential courses offerings could include Old Testament Survey, New Testament Survey, Christian Personal Finance 101, Science and the Bible, Dating/Relationships/Marriage, Bible Basics, Family/Community/Careers.
5. Develop a comprehensive financial plan to secure the necessary funds for such an endeavor. Items to consider include a budget, insurance, opening a bank (checking) account, exploring sources of income, applying for any required licenses and permits needed.