PRESBYTERIAN EDUCATION

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27986, 5 June 1956, Page 8

PRESBYTERIAN EDUCATION

FINDINGS OF YOUTH WORKERS EIGHT-POINT STATEMENT ISSUED An eight point statement setting out. their conclusions of Christian education within the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand was issued yesterday afternoon at the end of a conference of about 50 church youth workers from all parts of New Zealand, held in Christchurch at the week-end. The chairman of the conference (the Rev. W. M. Hendrie) said that tne conclusions would be widely discussed in the church before their final form was approved at the General Assembly of the church in Auckland in October. The statement is as follows: “(1) The Church.—The Church’s responsibility in Christian nurture is to be found in terms of the great commission—Matthew chapter 28, verse six—namely, to make God real. It is to provide a systematic and progressive education of Christian homes, together with the essential missionary outreach to the children of nonChristian homes, all activities to be within the full pattern of Christian worship and fellowship which is, or ought to be, the incarnation of the Gospel. “(2) The Congregation.—This means in terms of the congregation the provision ip church schools of graded instruction from kindergarten to adult, an adequate recognition of the place of the teacher, and thorough teacher preparation and training. The congregation’s responsibility to the child and the family should be emphasised at the time of baptism and ought to be seen in the work of the church school and made visible by the family and individual interest in all phases of the congregation’s life and work. “(3) The Home.—Parents bear the prime responsibility for the Christian nurture of their children. This involves direct teaching and a. living example and requires as a minimum the practice of regular family worship at home and in church. It fs the duty of the church to support parents and to provide help and encouragement for them in the discharge of this duty. Teachers’ Role “(4) The Teacher.—Teachers are the representatives of the whole congregation and are responsible for the instruction of the truths of the faith through lesson material, biblical and catechetical memory, and by example The teachers in the church schools should be communicant members of the church and sessions should be reminded of their pastoral duty in the appointment of teachers. The discharge of Christ’s commission calls for discipline and preparation of mind. It is the duty of the church to provide adequate training for teachers and the duty of teachers to avail themselves of the training. “(5) Syllabus.—The syllabus of instruction shall follow a three-year cycle such as. Jesus Christ, the Bible, and the church, lessons to be based on identical or similar Bible passages suitably graded for all age groups, including adults, and to cover a full understanding of the themes. Such material as is prepared for this lesion scheme shall be made available to Sunday schools at cost price. “(6) Parent-Teacher.—Parent-tea-cher co-operation shall be sought through a parent-teacher magazine giving the basic outline or synopsis of the lesson, a series of daily Bible readings connected with this, prayers for fhe family and church school worships, and suitable background articles covering aspects of the life of the children, teaching, etc. Family activities °f the church school ought to be held at regular intervals in order that no aspect of the work shall be don' 3 m isolation.

“(7) Reorganisation.—The reorganisation required must affect all types ?! ed v cation at P resent undertaken by the church—in particular, what is required is the appointment of a director of Christian education, regional directors drawn from the existing youth staff, and a general editor of for Christian education. <8) Adult Education.—The board should also provide study material for adult groups designed to foster the continuing growth of grace, undei - standing and service among adults.”