By Kathy Chesney
I am thrilled to announce that as of December 2022, Biblical instruction is offered to students of all five elementary schools in Union County. This is provided through an interdenominational program similar to the Bible Lady that many of you grew up with. It is called Bible Release Time and is provided by the Elgin Children’s Foundation.
What is Bible Release Time (BRT)?
Bible Release Time offers parents an opportunity for their children to receive biblical instruction during school hours. A 1952 Supreme Court ruling (Zorach vs. Clauson) and Tennessee state law permit the release of students during the school day to receive religious instruction if the program follows four guidelines:
1. Students must provide written permission from their parent and/or guardian.
2. Religious instruction must be provided away from school property.
3. Government funds cannot be used to support the program.
4. A maximum of one hour of release-time instruction per week.
BRT is an excellent government-approved tool to provide students with important foundational Bible instruction. BRT collaborates with the faith community and schools to develop and support Bible Release Time programs as part of its mission to spread the gospel message of Jesus Christ and develop a foundational understanding of the Bible for children in our service area.
Program volunteers provide biblical instruction in a fun, caring, and safe environment to the vulnerable and needy among us – our children. All volunteers are background checked and all activities and participants are insured through the Elgin Children’s Foundation.
BRT instruction must be provided with integrity and consistency across all service areas. To accomplish this, Elgin provides a successful, standardized curriculum to be used at all established sites, based on basic Christian principles, and with an interdenominational approach. Examples of program lessons are:
• The Bible is God’s Word
• Creation and the Fall
• The Story of Noah
• The Call of Abraham
• The Story of Joseph
• The Story of Moses and the Exodus
• The Story of Jesus and the Resurrection
The goal is that in the five years of BRT (grades 2-6) the child will get a foundational understanding of Biblical history and principles.
The Bible Release Time elementary school schedule is:
- Sharps Chapel meets at the Sharps Chapel Community Center on the first Monday of each month, (January class is postponed till January 9 due to the school calendar) and is taught by Pastor Bill Duncan, supported by Irwin’s Chapel UMC, Oak Grove Primitive Baptist, and First Baptist Tazewell.
- Luttrell is the first Wednesday, taught by the pastor and deacons, and supported by Cedar Ford Baptist.
- Maynardville is the first Friday, taught by Pastor Corey Carroll, and supported by First Baptist Maynardville.
- Big Ridge is the third Tuesday, taught by Bill Malone & Paul Harrison, supported by Alder Springs Baptist.
- Paulette is the first Thursday, taught by Pastor Mike Samples, supported by New Testament Baptist.
Interim School Director Ronnie Mincey and the school board have been made aware of this program and received information about it. These churches work with and rely on guidance from the principals about the timing of the BRT class at their school. The intent is for the church to adopt the school, pray for the teachers, staff, students and families; and work to meet other needs as the principal makes them known.
Jenny Boggs is the Elgin-sponsored Children’s Ministry Ambassador for this region. In addition to being present and active at each BRT class, she works with local daycares in the summer to bring Bible stories and activities.
She also works with local Christian Camps and scholarships, especially Camp Tappenwenga; and submits scholarship requests for the BRT students who actively participate in class and learn memory verses to go to Bible Camp.
She will be doing an informational review of the Elgin Foundation and the Bible Release Time program at the Ridge & Valley Coffee Shop on Saturday, January 14 at 2 p.m.
The public is invited and encouraged to attend and learn more about the current programs and possibilities. For more information, you can reach Jenny Boggs at biblereleasetimetn@gmail.com.