Dear Fellow DOM:

Recently Sullivan Baptist Association was involved in a very successful released time mission project at Lynn View Middle School in the Sullivan County school system. This consisted of a pilot program during the 97-98 school year. A 98-99 school year released time program was proposed but was canceled. A released time program was also proposed to the Kingsport City Schools but met great opposition. After reviewing the reasons cited for disapproval of the released time projects, we have concluded that there is a lack of knowledge about released time and the religious rights of public school students. Legislation has been proposed to correct this.

Released time has been legal since 1952, when the Zorach vs. Clauson decision allowed it. Since then, it has been upheld in numerous Supreme Court decisions, including those involving hostility toward religion. You may not know that "released time" is time released to parents of public school students during the school day (usually PE, study hall, or other elective courses, once per week), so the students can go to a nearby church for Bible instruction. In our pilot program, over half the middle school students eligible attended. Established programs often have 90% attendance. We used Josh McDowell's "Right from Wrong" course as the curriculum and had wonderful results. However, because of legal uncertainty and confusion on the part of our School Board, our wonderful program was canceled.

Released time volunteers have proposed legislation in the Tennessee Legislature which will codify (put into state law) the Supreme Court’s Zorach vs. Clauson decision. This will set some guidelines to help end some of the confusion which prevents school boards from approving RT. This legislation is SB 973 and HB 1209, an amended copy of which is enclosed. The bill failed last year in the House Education Subcommittee at the exact moment the shooting was taking place in Littleton, Colorado as two legislators insisted that released time and the Bible were not needed during the school day. The sponsors are amending the bill, making it weaker, but still setting policies which will help school boards approve parental requests for released time.

In our opinion, there is little hope that released time will be approved here or other schools without this legislation in place. Many legislators (like our school board members) are not familiar with released time. We need the help of the church members in your association to get this bill passed. Could you please notify churches in your association and encourage them to have their members contact their legislators by phone or e-mail this week asking them to support and co-sponsor this bill? We also need all the churches praying for this bill, and for workers to work in the programs when we get the bill approved. Based on what we’ve seen in Sullivan County and in last year's committee vote, this is a powerful spiritual battle, and we need God’s people in prayer for the released time bill and opportunity. I have attached a list of all legislative phone numbers. I have also attached a list of the committee members who will be voting on the bill before it can go to the full floor. You can call toll free to their Nashville offices at 1-800-449-8366, and use the ext. of the last 5 digits of their phone numbers. If you are unsure of your legislator, that same number will give an index to find out your legislator’s name. Call me if you have any questions. I appreciate your prayers and your phone calls in this important mission effort. When you talk to churches as well as the legislators, please stress that the legislation is legal, is a proper first amendment liberty, and will better enable parents and students to participate in this important religious liberty as well as provide opportunities to improve the moral state of Tennessee youth.

Twenty-one states have codified the Zorach decision. It is clear from School Board statements that our RT mission program will not be reinstated unless Tennessee is added to the list. Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter affecting our mission projects. This legislation will enable us to reinstate our Sullivan County released time program. In addition, it will open up programs in other parts of the state where Christian workers are willing to reach the "white for harvest" mission fields of public school students with the gospel of Christ and Biblical moral values.

Sincerely,