Issues: Lack of concern for important issues, apathy, poor stewardship, misalignment of priorities, uninformed citizens.
Evidences:
- 20.6% voter turnout in Ottawa County in the May 7, 2024 election to vote for school millages
- Elaborate spending on school facilities and sports complexes
- Poorly attended school board meetings
- Uninformed citizens misunderstanding the affects of the millages
Myth: The millage won’t affect me because it only applies to 2nd homes and businesses.
FACT: While it is true for some of the millages that property taxes will not go up on primary residences, people need to understand that when we tax businesses, those businesses will now have to raise their prices to cover the increase in taxes and you, the citizen, will end up paying more for groceries and other goods, so these millages do in fact affect you.
Myth: The Bible doesn’t say anything about millages so it’s up to each person to decide how to vote on them.
FACT: One of the 10 commandments is Thou shall not steal (Exodus 20:15). Is it Biblical to tax 2nd homes and businesses? Should one person have to pay triple for a student’s education through taxes on their primary residence, 2nd home, and business? This is like stealing from the rich or a redistribution of wealth which is completely unbiblical. The Bible talks repeatedly in Proverbs about prosperity being the result of hard work. It also says in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 that those who are unwilling to work shall not eat! (Note it’s not saying those unable to work but those unwilling to work.) Second Timothy 2:6 states, “And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor.”
Myth: If we love our children, we should give them the best; better facilities enhance learning.
FACT: God calls us to be good stewards. Is it good stewardship for us to be funding elaborate facilities and sports complexes with our tax dollars? What are we teaching our children? To learn to be entitled to the best things? To rely on the government for everything? How will that play out in the real world? Is it any wonder many adults struggle with debt most of their lives? What does the Bible teach us (Prov. 21:20, 22:7, Luke 16:13, 1 Timothy 6:10)? While a positive, clean, and safe learning environment could enhance learning; bigger and better facilities do not equal enhanced learning (see chart below). As the schools continue to build elaborate and expensive buildings, operating expenses naturally increase as a result. So even if they tell you the millage isn’t going to fund any new buildings, they are asking for more money for higher operating expenses because of the new buildings.
A friend of mine shared this story with me recently: I went to a few of the school board meetings for a local school. I noticed that the sports complex by the building had lots and lots of cars in the parking lot and lots and lots of people in the bleachers. The board room where the meeting was held had about 1/3 of the seats filled. One local resident said to me after the meeting, “These people don’t care anything about what goes on in the school! They only care about what sports programs it has to offer!”
While our children are being indoctrinated with LGBTQ+, DEI, and CRT teachings, we can’t get parents to show up to school board meetings? Why is it that we will rearrange our schedules and eat dinner on the run to make it to a football game, but can’t be bothered to make an appearance at one school board meeting or even cast a ballot? What is the root cause? Is this an issue of apathy? Selfishness? Pride? Misaligned priorities?
Consider the average amount a homeschool parent spends on educating their children and the test results of those students v. public school students (see the following chart) and we can’t make a case for the kind of funding we are approving in these millages. What about our responsibility as citizens?
Myth: God doesn’t have an opinion on education, so it is up to the parents to decide.
FACT: God has a lot to say about education! Is sending our children to public school Biblical? Are our children learning to be salt and light at the public school or are they being indoctrinated with atheism and other worldly perspectives? Are our children learning to love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, and mind (Matt. 22:37) at the public school? Are public schools neutral or are they teaching children to run from faith, for example, when they teach “separation of church and state” which is a false application of the 1st Amendment? ”The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40). In Matt. 12:30 and Luke 11:23 Jesus tells us, ”Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 15:33 that bad company corrupts good character. Are our children being surrounded by good or bad company at the public school? Can a child who spends most of their day in a public school meditate on God’s Word day and night (Psalms 1)?
SOLUTIONS: We need to educate and prioritize! Pastors, could you preach on these practical topics using the data and Scripture references mentioned above? Christians, we must repent of our apathy and complacency and do something about it. For example, we can look up the dates of the upcoming elections on the county website at the beginning of each year and put them on our calendars. Set a reminder now to do it on Jan. 1! Then make sure to take the time to go and vote on those days. Next, we should educate ourselves on the issues, research and talk to trusted sources, and then share what we’ve learned with others and encourage our friends to vote as well. We must pray and ask God for wisdom and courage to do the right thing when it comes to our children’s education. Is He calling us to be more active in our children’s learning by showing up to more school board meetings or homeschooling our children? No matter where He calls us, may we be faithful to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
- How to start a Salt & Light Ministry in your church – https://www.saltandlightcouncil.org/home/
- How to start a school in your church – Public School Exit – https://www.publicschoolexit.com/
- Biblical Citizenship Classes – Patriot Academy – https://www.patriotacademy.com/biblicalcitizenship
- How to transition to homeschooling – Homeschool Styles – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKAkKvZIHz4&t=34s
- Ottawa County Republican Party (sign up for their newsletter to keep up to date on issues and elections) – https://www.ottawagop.org/
- Simply American (great local news source for Ottawa County residents) – https://simplyamerican.com/
MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!
- August 6, 2024 – Primary Election – EXTREMELY important election for local government positions!
- November 5, 2024 – General Election
I have always felt that a large part of the problem it that people are unaware when things get voted on. It would be wonderful if there was a new law that required millage voting to be on the same date every year so people could anticipate it. Or…if we all got a courtesy text when something was getting voted on in our county. But I know, I know….they are banking on the fact that only the people who know about it and WANT it to pass will be the ones to show up. And this is how it’s always been. Funny thing is, we have largely homeschooled but we did send 2 of our kids to public for about 6 months. During that time, a millage was being voted on and, wouldn’t you know, we received a pre-recorded voice message from the principal urging all parents of students to show up and vote in favor of the “much needed” millage increase! Wow — imagine that kind of database! And who knows…they could still be doing this. I just haven’t received any more messages since we went back to homeschooling.
I agree it would be nice to get a reminder! I think that’s why they have these on the May ballot because not many people know about them so they can text their own people and get the votes they need. That is why I’m putting this plea out to churches to help inform people. As concerned citizens we must be proactive and help educate others if we don’t want to continue in the downward spiral of debt and indoctrination. I also believe that when Christians are educated on this topic they will realize that it is important and will want to do something about it (at least that’s my hope).
Looking back, I can see how we have been lulled into complacency.. We have taken our blessings for granted and have been fooled into thinking that “flowers cut from their roots” are still alive and well. We have substituted “having devotions” and “going to church” for SHOWING OUR DEVOTION and BEING THE CHURCH. We avoid any thought or talk about the reality of SIN. Many Christians have accepted the accusation that standing for Biblical truth and principles is “unloving,” even though Jesus was full of both Grace AND Truth. He taught us to pray “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.” THIS is the Christian’s assigned task, both in prayer and in action. “Peacekeeping” is fearful and apathetic. “Peacemaking” requires judging rightly and bringing the LORD’S Truth and Grace to bear in every area of life… for our good and God’s glory!! We first need to revive our own souls in Christ, then Christ will overflow into our homes, our churches, our communities, our nation and the world! Holy Spirit fill us and make us overflow!!
Absolutely 100% agree Gwen!