Chicago schools lift bar on trainee Christian teachers

Moody Bible Institute student teachers are now welcome in the city’s public school classrooms after the Chicago Board of Education (CBE) ended its discriminatory policy.

The Chicago-based Bible college was given approval for its Elementary Education degree programme in January 2024, and the course required the trainees to complete school placements.

However, the CBE refused to approve any placements involving Moody students unless the college ended its policy of only hiring employees who subscribe to its biblical beliefs.

The college launched legal action last year, and in an out-of-court settlement, the CBE has now agreed to amend its policy, “ensuring it aligns with the constitutional rights of faith-based organizations”.

Prayers answered

Moody Provost Dr Tim Sisk said: “We are deeply grateful that a resolution has been reached affirming our constitutional right to hire individuals who are aligned with our core mission and biblical values.”

He added that Moody’s undergraduates “are eager and well prepared” to take part in the Chicago Public Schools’ student teaching program, which he described as “an essential and formative part of their journey toward becoming effective educators”.

Dr Sisk expressed his gratitude “for the many prayers and support that have helped ensure this important opportunity remains available to our students” and thanked its legal representatives at Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) for their “thoughtful counsel”.

ADF Senior Counsel Jeremiah Galus said: “We’re hopeful other public officials will take note that they can’t inject themselves illegally and unconstitutionally into a religious non-profit’s hiring practices.”

Religious liberty

In January, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed that Yakima Union Gospel Mission cannot be forced to hire workers who do not agree with its Christian beliefs on sexual ethics.

The Court said that the mission has the constitutional right to only hire people who “agree with and live out” the Christian belief that sex should only take place within a heterosexual marriage.

Summarising the decision, Judge Patrick J Bumatay said: “Under the church autonomy doctrine, Union Gospel may decline to hire as non-ministerial employees those who do not share its religious beliefs about marriage and sexuality.”