Why Christian education?

Seven children from two Christian families, two Christian teachers and a chapel schoolroom were the foundation of Wyclif Independent Christian School in 1982.

The parents were convinced that the Lord was leading them to provide an education for their children which was God-centred, Bible-based and free of the secular humanism that was beginning to pervade the state education system.

The Lord honoured their decision. Now, in 2006, more than 60 pupils are registered, and able Christian teachers have joined the staff, who are willing to serve the Lord in the school for significantly lower pay than they would otherwise receive. One of the original teachers has remained, and his sacrificial commitment and contribution to the school has been a reason for great thankfulness to God. The main school continues to occupy the chapel, but, due to the increase in numbers, the younger pupils are now taught in a second chapel in the village.

Why have so many persevered, with God’s help, to keep the school in existence, often against much difficulty? Only a clear and sincerely-held conviction that this is God’s pattern for the upbringing and education of Christians’ children.

All people are created in the image of God and children are God’s gift to their parents. We believe that children belong to God and are held in trust to him by their parents. They do not belong to their parents, nor to themselves, nor to the state. Parents are commanded to ‘train up a child in the way he should go’ (Proverbs 22.6). This training involves the whole of life and it follows that there should be consistency between the teaching and example the child receives at home and that which he receives at school. Christians on the mission-field usually send their children to Christian schools and encourage new believers to set up schools side-by-side with their churches so that the children are not taught and influenced by the surrounding pagans. Should things be any different here?

A Christian country?

Our so-called Christian country is increasingly pagan in its outlook and educational policy. Present education is shot through with Darwinism, and is against all who seek to exalt God as Creator and ruler of the world and its people.

For true Christians there should be no sacred/secular divide in any aspect of life and there needs to be a constant awareness of the danger of drifting into worldly thinking. ‘Be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind’ (Romans 12.2a).

How then does ‘WICS’ seek to educate children in a God-centred way? To do this it is necessary to think biblically about every subject, not only when teaching Bible lessons. History is taught throughout the school at all levels from the perspective of God’s outworking of his purposes in the world. (In practice this has meant that we do not teach the GCSE History course. The pupils keep all their workbooks and present these as evidence of what they have learned. One of our past pupils is now reading History at Oxford.)

Science clearly shows the handiwork of the Creator. Art and Music focus on what is good, resisting the corruption of these by those with no concern for order and harmony. Children are exposed to good, wholesome literature and, as they grow older, are encouraged to think in a biblical, discerning way when they encounter that which is not God-honouring. Discipline is firm and fair, any punishment is clearly explained and appropriate. Sin is acknowledged to be the reason for wrong behaviour, and where necessary, apologies and restitution are required. The aim of all teaching is to enable children to fulfil the purpose for which they have been created. Our children are taught the Shorter Catechism, the first question and answer being, ‘What is the chief end of man?’ ‘The chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy him for ever.’

From what has been said, it follows that all our teachers must themselves be Christians who are committed to Christian education. Parents need to have confidence in those to whom they entrust their children. There should be consistency in the precept, example and discipline in home and school.

Parents rightly spend great care and effort in nurturing and protecting their children physically. The same care should be given to both nurturing and protecting their spiritual lives.

There are, of course, many Christians who do not see the need for Christian schools, possibly because they have never really considered the matter. In the past we have written to many local churches offering to visit and speak about Christian education and sadly very few showed any interest, some being clearly against it. (A large proportion of the churches did not even reply to the letters.) It is because of this situation that we are anxious to present the case for Christian education to a wider number of Christians.

Common objections

* ‘The local school is a good one, children are well-taught and there are some Christian teachers.’ The problem is that secular schools and Christian schools work to different agendas. Secular schools work to a largely humanist and Darwinian worldview, and teachers are expected to teach to this curriculum. Much of this is actively anti-biblical, as evidenced, for example, by the explicit sex education given in these schools, often to young children. Christian teachers find it difficult to express their faith within secular schools and there have been instances where they have not been permitted to use the name of Jesus in assemblies.

However, Christian teachers are certainly needed in state schools where they may act as ‘living epistles’ and use as much Christian influence as they are able.

* In a Christian school children are taken out of the ‘real world’ in which they have to live. But children need to be fitted to live in God’s world which is truly the real world.

We could use the illustration of a gardener growing plants from seed. He sows them in good soil, protects them, feeds them with appropriate minerals etc., encourages the sending down of good roots and, if necessary, prunes and trains them. Only when the plants are strong enough does he put them out in the garden. Even then he will not neglect to care for them if they are to flourish. So it should be with our children. We should encourage them to send down roots into God’s truth, to grow in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, to think biblically and be discerning of good and evil, so that they are better fitted to stand in the evil and perverse generation in which they live. We are commanded to love God with our minds as well as our hearts and children need to learn this.

* Christian children are needed to be witnesses to Christ in state schools. Many children do survive, but probably most children from Christian families suffer greatly, like Lot ‘vexed with the filthy conversation (life-style) of the wicked’. It is very difficult to stand against peer pressure at any age, and much more difficult for young children and teenagers. They can end up leading a double life, confused by the different teaching they receive at home and at school. They are more likely to be adversely influenced in these schools than to exert good influence themselves.

A struggle

Most Christian schools struggle against many odds:

* Financial constraints. Fees are set at a moderate level to enable as many families as possible to choose Christian education.
* Teachers’ salaries below national rates.
* The lack of suitable, affordable accommodation.
* Open to being misunderstood by Christians and others.

We are in a battle here, often mocked and despised. But we are responsible before God for the care of our children, trusting the Lord to fit them to be ‘good soldiers of Jesus Christ’.

We covet the prayers of our brethren in Christ, also prayerful consideration of the possibility of financial help. As a matter of principle, we accept no Local Authority subsidies, but rely on the fees paid for the pupils and on generous donations.

After 23 years we are, as yet, unable to afford suitable buildings. Because space is severely limited, we are having to turn down applications from new families.

A ‘prayer and praise’ letter is sent at regular intervals and may be requested via secretary@wyclifchristianschool.org or from Wyclif Independent Christian School, Wyndham Street, Machen, Caerphilly CF83 8PU.

Further details of the school are on our website: http://www.WICS.org.uk.

A Christian country?

Common objections

A struggle

Most Christian schools struggle against many odds:

Rosemary Saunders

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