Frequently Asked Questions
When do I set up initial meetings with the leadership team?
The initial meeting should be scheduled by the administrator to include the teaching leader/facilitator, small group leaders and others interested in the ministry. This should begin several months before January. The focus of the early meetings should be on getting acquainted and making decisions about which elective lessons should be taught. This is also the time to gather names of Christians who are active in the schools, leaders in the community, or key persons. These are the people who would be instrumental in supporting the program and/or in suggesting names of students and small group leaders who might be interested in becoming involved in such a program. (The Administrator should follow up on the names that are suggested.)
Once the team is secured, another meeting should be scheduled with the team (Teaching Leader/Facilitator or Small Group Leaders) Names of perspective students should be gathered.
The Administrator should host an informal time for the Teacher/Facilitator, Assistant Teacher and the Small Group Leaders to get to know one another, such as a dessert fellowship. At that time, the upcoming schedule should be presented, along with a discussion of what makes an effective Small Group Leader. About two to three weeks before the first Anchorsaway classes begin, invitations should be sent through the mail, as well as hand delivered by a student representative to prospective participants in each high school.
What type of student should attend Anchorsaway?
Any student, believer or nonbeliever in Jesus Christ, who wants to learn and/or grow in their faith would benefit from the Anchorsaway experience. This is NOT a debate class, so those students who wish to debate need to invite the Teacher to have such discussions outside of the class time.
From where do we get the students to attend Anchorsaway?
It is important to contact and secure Christian students who are leaders and whose walk is reflective of the Christian worldview. One or two per school are all that are needed. They will supply the names of friends who then can ask their friends.
Youth Pastors, school volunteers, parachurch leaders and students are essential resources to secure the names of students. A student who is in a school club or on a school team can hand out invitations as well. For example, a Small Group Leader’s son may play on a football team and would like to give fliers to many of those on his team and would like to give fliers to many of those on his team.
Students who are leaving after their junior year of school are invited to attend. Students younger than a junior should not be included.
College students are invited to attend at any time. Some want to come just for the teaching session, which is permissible.
Most all of the invitations (with some exceptions) should be handed out by the students themselves. It should be a student-driven process, as much as possible. Select one or two students from several high schools, a few weeks before the other students hear about Anchorsaway, and put them in charge of handing out the invitation fliers in their respective schools. Ask them to call you and let you know how many students they think will be attending. The senior students they think will be attending. The senior students from the year before should give their small group leaders some names of juniors that they would like to have invited the following year. The Small Group Leaders are assigned to a school in the area in which they are familiar. They will make contact with a student who is a Christian leader in that school. If the student is anxious to participate in the Anchorsaway program, they will be asked to contact prospective students from a list prepared by the program’s Administrator. These students will also be asked to invite their peers.
Where should Anchorsaway classes meet?
Anchorsaway was created as a bridge from high school and the youth group experience, to college or the workforce. For this reason, we strongly recommend that the meeting NOT be held at a church or church building, or at a school. Feedback tells us that the most enjoyable place for the student to meet is in a home. Other groups have successfully met in office buildings, barns, theaters, club houses, coffee houses, and even around a camp fire. Your choice of location is dependant upon your own personal circumstances and the personality of your group. If given the choice, a home is strongly recommended.
No matter where it is taught, it should be an inviting and safe environment. If possible, provide something for the students to drink and snacks for them to eat. Mothers are often more than happy to bake cookies or supply other snacks. It should be a place with an atmosphere of hospitality.
What is the most effective time and season for Anchorsaway to be taught?
We strongly recommend that Anchorsaway be taught in the second semester of the senior year. By that time, the newness of being a senior has worn off, and their minds are turned toward their future.
Meeting times can vary according to what works in your community. We recommend a 2 ½ hour time block per week, realizing that the students tend to stay around for some social interaction at the conclusion of their small group time. The day and the time is dependant on your individual situation.
What are the Student Worldview Handbooks?
The Student Worldview Handbooks are designed to become a resource in the future, when questions about the Christian religion are asked of the student. They contain notes, charts, and outlines of the key content from the lectures. T. M. Moore, a Pastor and writer, has written devotions for the students that are found at the end of each lesson. They are thought provoking and extremely valuable in helping the student process what was learned in class. Many of our former students have used the notes to teach Bible studies in their dorms, to write research papers, and to revisit the Truths for personal refreshment. Many students add information they have gathered from outside sources into their books, and use it to file notes related to the topics. That is a true sign of ownership.
Can Anchorsaway be taught in the public school?
If a student initiates Anchorsaway to be taught before or after school, it can be taught by people who are not employed by the school district.
School employees who want to be part of the Anchorsaway experience are advised to meet off school property to avoid legal conflicts over the establishment of religion issues, even though federal law does allow religiously affiliated groups to meet on school property.
You will have to check with your school to see what the rules are pertaining to this issue. However, it is not recommended that Anchorsaway be taught in a school setting, so this should not be an issue. A home is ideal.
Why should it be taught outside the church?
The reason for teaching this class in a home is so that it can be opened up to the community. This is the bedrock of the program. When this takes place multiple churches can come together and help with teachers, small group leaders and most importantly those who are seniors in high school and college students. We have found that many students are less willing to open up in a church setting with pastors, youth pastors and parents around. Also this can be a time for Christian students to invite their unsaved friends in the community who would otherwise be unwilling to step into a church. We have found that seekers are very interested and this is one of the reasons that the last nigh of the program can, if you choose, include baptisms for those who have accepted Christ during the program or who want to rededicate their lives to Christ.
Why is this only for high school seniors and college students?
The reason that this is targeted for high school seniors and college students is because they are preparing to step out of the safety and protection of their homes and youth groups into a hostile environment. They tend to be more serious about learning this information. The program is written on a college level so it would be difficult for the younger students to understand the concepts of the Christian worldview. This class is designed to prepare the student how to respond to professors and others that they will specifically meet on the college campus. It points toward the pressure that they will face to give in to other worldviews presented to them on their campuses, workplace or in the mission field.
Can Anchorsaway be used for home schooling?
It would be a great curriculum to use with home school students. We recommend that several home school students go through this together as well as mixing in public and private students as well. This is particularly effective in teaching the home school students not only what the world thinks, but also gives them time to interact with those who might think differently on issues.
