Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Over the last few months I have had conversations with a number of parents along a recurring theme. The sentiments of the conversations go something like this. “You know that my child is about the only Adventist in his/her class and I’m not happy with the influence the others are having on him/her.”
Most Adventist school leaders know that over the last 10 years we have experienced a huge demographic change within our classrooms. Where once the class was made up mainly of Adventist students many are now made up of up to 80% and beyond of non-Adventist students. And we know also that the change was not because of a refocus on mission. It is true we are trying to trumpet that song now, but a number of years ago what was driving the change was economic rationalism, and in some schools it still is. Simply put, if we did not open up our schools to non-Adventist student enrolments we would no longer be able to offer Adventist education. There would be no Adventist education system.
I notice too, a growing unease in some quarters of our church membership who are also wondering if we have lost the plot in having so many non-Adventist students in our schools, especially at the spiritual cost of our own children.
So the question, Can we have our cake and eat it too?
I believe we can, based on a couple of conditions.
Condition 1 As a school and school system we must empower our parents to view the growth of non-Adventist students in our schools as an opportunity to provide an authentic setting for the sharing of our lifestyle and beliefs. Many are yet to see that a challenge to our values and beliefs presents a golden opportunity to sit together and work through the issues explaining why we believe and practice what we do. It is not easy, but it has to be done. It is a change of paradigm.
Condition 2 As a school and school system, we must keep our churches appraised of our changing demographics and engage their support. If our message is the ‘truth’ and if our lifestyle is so great, then why do so many of our churches refuse to be involved with our non-Adventist families and be prepared to draw them into our fellowship? There is a lot more that we as a school system need to do to bring about this change in attitude.
As schools, we need to support our Adventist parents a lot more than we do. Ongoing dialogue would be a good place to begin. But opportunity for action needs to follow with a proactive stance being taken to ensure that the Adventists are being supported and to be seen as winning the battle rather than losing it and their children as well.
A Close Shave Indeed
From time to time life can throw us a real reminder that we are so vulnerable. Len Farquarson was riding his bicycle on the F freeway last Sabbath and was hit from behind by a driver who had suffered a micro-sleep. Apart from a few broken bones and much soreness Len is fine. But another couple of centimetres over and the outcome could well have been devastating both to his family and to Avondale School community where he is head of Primary. Our prayers are with you Len for a speedy recovery.
Not so lucky was Richard Laws who last Wednesday was killed on the M7 motorway when he pulled over to answer his phone. A heavy truck ran into the back of his car and subsequently rolled. Richard was working for Sanitarium. His two girls were past pupils of Hills Adventist College, so please spare a thought for them and the school staff tomorrow as the funeral is held.
When death comes suddenly and closely, and when we listen to the news and where this old world is heading, it makes me wish Jesus would come sooner rather than later.
May each of your staff and pupils sense the urgency of the battle we are in and be empowered to live victoriously and in a way that will attract even more pupils and families into a saving relationship with Jesus.
God bless your efforts.
Ken Weslake,
Associate Director, Education South Pacific Division, SDA Church
News about the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific.
Posted by Ken Weslake at 8:33 AM
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