Home
The home is society's primary and most basic educational agency. Parents are the first and most influential teachers and have the responsibility to reflect God's character to their children. Moreover, the whole familial setting shapes the values, attitudes, and worldview of the young. The church and the school, along with society's other educational agencies, build on and supplement the work of the home. It is imperative that the home, in turn, support the educational work of the school.
Local Church
The local church also has a major assignment in the lifelong educational enterprise. The congregation as a community of faith provides an atmosphere of acceptance and love in which it disciples those within its sphere of influence in a personal faith in Jesus Christ and in a growing understanding of the Word of God. This understanding includes both an intellectual aspect and a life of conformity to God's will.
School, College, and University
All levels of Adventist schooling build on the foundation laid by the home and church. The Christian teacher functions in the classroom as God's minister in the plan of redemption. The greatest need of students is to accept Jesus Christ as personal Savior and commit to a life of Christian values and service. The formal and non-formal curricula help students reach their potential for spiritual, mental, physical, social, and vocational development. Preparing students for a life of service to their family, church, and the larger community is a primary aim of the school.
World Church
The world Church at all levels has oversight responsibility for the healthy functioning of learning in all three of the above venues, including lifelong learning. With reference to the school as an educational agency, its functions are ideally accomplished by institutions established by the Church for that purpose. The Church at large should make every effort to ensure that all Adventist children and youth have the opportunity to attend an Adventist educational institution. Realizing, however, that a large percentage of the church's youth are not enrolled in Adventist schools, the world church must find ways to achieve the goals of Adventist education through alternative means (e.g., after school church-based instruction, church sponsored centers on non- Adventist campuses, etc.).