Christian Education Thriving in Godzone
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MARCH 2008 MAY 2010 CVs hot potato as partners explore new ways to cooperate By Paul Titus In an open letter, former president of the Methodist Church of NZ Rev Brian Turner has fired off a broadside, warning that some leaders of the partner churches are planning to dismantle or restrict Cooperative Ventures (CVs). Church leaders respond that their support for CVs has not diminished but in changing circumstances they must seek new, more flexible ways to engage with one another. Brian cites a number of moves he believes show that the Presbyterian, Methodist and Anglican Churches are distancing themselves from their ecumenical commitment to CVs and Uniting Congregations. These include the Presbyterian Church’s efforts to create super presbyteries that, he says, ignore ecumenical groupings; discussions between Anglican and Presbyterian leaders in South Canterbury to review and perhaps split up cooperating parishes; State integrated Christian schools promote critical thinking as well as Christian principles. and Methodist synod executives’ statements that they would not support the creation of more CVs. Brian writes that some denominational Christian education leaders say church growth is one reason they want to re-examine CVs. “They claim that CV’s do not grow as well as straight denominational parishes. If that is true, it’s probably thriving in Godzone because denominations do not invest as many resources in CVs as in straight denominational parishes. By Paul Titus Steiner. Wesley College is a state higher.” “Another major driver is that CVs tie The demand for primary and integrated school. The Ministry of Education secondary education with a Until recently, Mark Larson caps the number of students an up denominational property and finance. Christian character is on the was principal of Middleton integrated school can have so the Mark Larson Under the old model of CVs, yes, but upswing in New Zealand, and Grange Christian School in school must apply to have its newer models such as the Waimakariri Christian schools are expanding Christchurch. He now holds numbers increased. “There is growing recognition Shared Ministry in North Canterbury and and forming networks to meet leadership rolls in two Christian Vaughan Darby is the even in the state sector, of the Crossways Community Church in that demand. school trusts and the Christian executive director of the NZ importance of teaching values. Christchurch, are freer from such The NZ education system has Schools Network. Christian Proprietors Trust We promote Christian values and requirements. a unique provision for ‘state Middleton Grange was (NZCPT). This trust is the we involve parents. When parents Brian argues that the bottom line for integrated schools’ that has established in the 1960s by a non- proprietor of three integrated are involved students do better. the churches should not be self- created a space for Christian denominational group of schools in the greater Auckland “NCEA results show that preservation but the call of Jesus that His schools. Most state integrated evangelical Protestants. In the area: KingsWay School at students from integrated schools disciples be one, so that the world might schools are former private schools 1990s it struggled financially and Silverdale, Jireh Christian School perform disproportionally well. believe. (For the full text of Brian’s letter, that are now integrated into the it became an integrated school in at Waitakere, and KingsGate Some of our students enter see page 7.) state system. 1996. Primary School at Pukekohe. theological schools such as The Presbyterian Church’s executive While the buildings and Mark explains that by NZCPT schools too are based on Laidlaw College but most go on property of state integrated becoming integrated, Middleton an evangelical Protestant ethos. to the major universities – secretary Rev Martin Baker says he is schools remain privately owned, Grange and other Christian Vaughan says the integrated Auckland, Massey and mindful that many small congregations, the government funds their schools can provide an education school system saves the Crown Canterbury.” including CVs, face difficult issues but operating costs and teachers’ that is in reach of families who substantial money because it Mark says the Christian he does not share Brian’s concerns or salaries. The schools must could not send their children to a avoids the capital cost of owning element in the programme does anguish. maintain standards set by the private school. land and buildings. Therefore the not overwhelm the curriculum. “About one third of Presbyterian Ministry of Education and deliver “One tenet of our founders Ministry of Education is willing “Our approach to evolution congregations in NZ are involved in some the state curriculum but they was that attending Middleton to integrate schools and allow and creation, for example, we form of cooperative ministry and we are retain a degree of independence Grange should be affordable. The rolls to grow in regions where work hard to teach the science very keen to support them. We are not and can teach the curriculum from fees are $1100, which is about 10 there is high population growth. but we also expose the students blocking new CVs. For example, a new their own perspective. percent of those at a private Both Vaughan and Mark to the idea of creation. We point Presbyterian-Methodist CV was formed About 10 percent of Kiwi school,” he says. emphasise that Christian schools out evolution is a theory but we in Levin last year,” Martin says. students attend state integrated “When I became principal in provide high quality education do not push the religious views “However, we do not see structural schools. Some 75 to 80 percent 1999 we had long waiting lists. with a lot of input from parents. down their throats. We believe of these schools are Catholic. The We were turning away 100 “We believe parents are they have the dignity and the right integration as the simple answer to church others include a variety of families a year so we decided to responsible for their children’s to decide the issues for growth. We need to support growth and Christian schools as well as grow the school rolls. In 1999 our religious education and our role themselves.” mission, and to do this will require a alternative education providers roll was 1000. It is now 1300, and is to reinforce that worldview,” For more on Christian diversity of solutions based on local such as Montessori and Rudolph we have applied for it to go Vaughan says. education see Page 8. contexts. See Page 7 2 TOUCHSTONE • MAY 2010 NEWS School of theology to examine stirrers and shakers Mary’s Magnificat is the ecumenical church today. inspiration for this year’s Argula is not so well school of theology organised known. She lived at the time by the Lower North Island of the Reformation, and made Combined Synod. a courageous stand for The title of the school is Lutheran teachings. One ‘Magnifying Grace’, and it German theological professor, reflects the words “My soul upset by her words and magnifies the Lord, my spirit actions in the public arena, rejoices in God my Saviour”. likened her to a ‘shameless The school runs from whore’ and ‘female midday Thursday July 8th to desperado’. The relevance of midday Saturday July 10th. both figures for how 21st It is open to all churches and century Christians share and individuals who seek to live their faith will be Cartoon hits nerve as well as funny bone understand their faith better, explored. and want inspiration and ideas With now over 450 songs Touchstone cartoonist Brendan Boughen, aka appreciate the theology behind it. Not so the person to take and share in their home published by the NZ ‘Jim’, found himself at the centre of controversy over who vandalised it. church community. Hymnbook Trust, Gillian and Easter when a billboard cartoon he prepared for “Our billboard shows Jesus before Easter. Some Keynote presenters will John have riches in music and Auckland’s St Mathew in the City Anglican Church Christians believe Jesus knew what was going to be Rev Jim Stuart, well- was first seized upon by the media and then defaced happen to him in advance but we disagree with that. known for his regular theology to share. Folk will by a disgruntled Christian. We see his crucifixion as an act of courage and a result Touchstone column, church be given opportunity to enjoy Last Christmas St Mathew in the City briefly of his fight against the religious and political injustices historian Peter Matheson, and some well known items and became a worldwide media sensation when it put up of his day.” Gillian and John Thornley learn more new hymns to take a billboard that depicted Joseph and Mary in bed with The person who defaced the billboard clearly from the NZ Hymnbook home. the caption: ‘Poor Joseph. God was a hard act to objected to this theology, Clay says, because they Trust. As in recent years, the follow’. wrote John 3:16 on it. This refers to the passage: For Jim and Peter reflect on School takes place at the Priest in charge at St Mathew, Rev Clay Nelson God so loved the world that he gave his one and only the lives of past Christian Wanganui Girls College, with says some billboards are also a hard act to follow but Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but stirrers and shakers. Jim live-in accommodation Brendan’s cartoon did an excellent job of posing fresh have eternal life. speaks on John Wesley and provided, and the excellent questions about Jesus is a humorous way. “The theology behind this is that Jesus fully knew Peter on Argula von food prepared by the college “We are trying to use our billboard to make religion what he was doing, and that he participating in a Grumback.