The Bible Club Initiative
What these Bible clubs could (and couldn’t) do for American public high school students
Calvary Chapel Las Vegas launched the Bible Club Initiative, a group that aims to “be a light for [high school] students to discover the love of Jesus” through student-led Bible clubs. They aim to start three successful Bible clubs within a ten-mile radius of Calvary Chapel Spring Valley, one of many Calvary Chapel locations, by January of 2020. The Bible Club Initiative will assist students and teachers who want Bible clubs on their campus with assistance in the formation of these Bible clubs.
Religious student-led clubs are protected under the Equal Access Act in American secondary (grades 9–12) schools that receive federal funding and have designated spaces for students to meet and conduct activities that are not directly related to the curriculum on non-instructional time. This non-instructional time is usually before school, after school, or during a lunch break. Bible clubs will have equal access to means of publicizing their activities within the school. These groups must be led, sponsored, and initiated by the students and no students must be forced or coerced into participating in the club.
Nondiscrimination statements that apply to the school apply the clubs as well. While these Bible clubs can limit leadership positions to people of their own faith, general membership must not be limited. This means that membership limitations on gender, sexual orientation, race, and other protected factors would be prohibited. However, since these students can form their own codes of conduct and internal hierarchies, there are concerns about students using the beliefs of the club to exclude or harass other students.
Concerns about homophobia, sexism, racism, and other harmful ways of thinking have arisen from schools. While the rules could hypothetically permit a highly bigoted group to meet and promote its materials, other students have the right to challenge these materials accordingly whether that is by civil debate, petition, or any other means that are not harassing or disruptive to learning. Not only that, when internal disagreements within the club inevitably arise, the students must learn how to resolve these disagreements themselves.
Clergy members, theologians, and other guests may be invited by students if the school permits guests on the school premises. However, guests may not initiate, control, or conduct any club activities or attend club meetings on a regular basis. Teachers may sponsor these clubs, supervise students, moderate discussions, or lead discussions on topics relevant to the Bible club. However, it is up to the students to lead prayers, persuade others to convert to their faith, and form their own group philosophy. Bible clubs can revolve around anything from prayer and mutual support to discussing theology or Biblical history to anything that these students choose.
Sources:
