The turn of the present century found the roots of Christian education slowly extending out into the elementary field of Seventh-day Adventist education. Prior to this, church schools had been almost entirely carried on in connection with our colleges and academies. Though for some time the growth seemed slow, there came a period of years when it took on real strength. For the last two decades it has developed more in stability, quality, and permanency than it has in increase of numbers. We are grateful for the advancement that has been made, but we are deeply concerned that at our most flourishing time in the history of elementary education, we had only about 50 per cent of our Adventist children in our schools. Earnest effort has been put forth during the years to increase this proportion.
During the time of the depression in North America, it was natural that we should lose some in enrollment. At present we have gained back most of that loss. Though this number is small (16,630), it might at first thought seem to be going in the right direction. But on closer observation, as we compare the elementary enrollment with the total church membership of years ago and today, we find that the number of pupils enrolled in 1929-30 was 15 for every 100 church members, and that in 1938-39 it was only 9.9 for every 100 members. In 1939-40 there was a still smaller number, approximately 9.3. You will note by the table that the church membership in North America increased from 117,771 in 1929 to 177,341 in 1939, while the elementary enrollment decreased from 17,735 to 16,626.
(See PDF for Stats)
Some may attempt to give as a reason for this decrease in enrollment the fact that there are less children in proportion to the membership than there were ten years ago. We do not have statistics on this point, but we are certain that that would not account for the large decrease.
Every evangelist, pastor, and church worker should take this situation to heart, determine the cause, and assume responsibility in bringing to each church member an understanding of the vital place which our church school work has in the promulgation of the gospel by this denomination. The future of our work is dependent upon the attitude of our people toward Christian education. The spirit of Christian education needs rejuvenation in every heart, in every home, and in every church. We especially call upon those who are carrying the spiritual responsibility for the churches—perhaps most of all those who are bringing this truth to those not of our faith—to take the burden of creating a renewed interest in this most important phase of denominational endeavor.
