Fences are so common place in American society today that I bet they are rarely even noticed. Oh, you might notice them when it’s time for you to build one.  Then, you become aware of all the varieties, height options, materials, styles, colors, and prices. Or maybe you’d notice if one was constructed because of you. I suspect that imprisoned criminals are very aware of the fences that surround them.

Have you given much thought to the purpose of fences? It seems fairly elementary. They are either erected to keep things out, or to keep things in. I’m hard pressed to think of any other purpose for a fence. Now they might be decorative and pretty, but the purpose is still the same; to sequester. Segregation is the sole purpose of most fences.

With that in mind, I’ve noticed lately that many Christian schools are surrounded by fences, many quite ornate and elaborate, but fences nonetheless. I wonder the purpose of these fences. Are they to keep in or to keep out? What do you think the “outsider” might see when he sees a Christian school fenced in and locked down? I wonder. I realize situations are more complex than a simple either/or, but I’d like to hear varied perspectives on this concept? Any thoughts?