OACS News Service

Crossroads

"Which way do we go?"

"Are we at a crossroads?"

"Do you feel we are at a crossroads?"

"Is Christian Education at a crossroads?"

These are some of the questions and conversations I've been having over the last couple of months with many different people.

I've felt for some years now that Christianity, Education, and the small subset of those two, Christian Education, is coming to a crossroads. (Feel free to replace crossroads with crisis or opportunity if you'd like.) I've often wondering if my perception has been accurate. I am a very passionate person and I often get carried away with things and go overboard. As I've had these conversations over the past month I've heard many others say similar things. I've become convinced that my perceptions match reality.

First, Christianity in North America is facing very different circumstances. Secular society, post-modernism, the incredible growth of the Church in Africa and elsewhere in the world, and so much more. There are others who have written and spoken about this far more eloquently than I.

Second, change in education continues to grow. The impact of technology, brain research, parental expectations and more sweep through the education field. Here in Ontario, Canada we've been relatively insulated from many of these changes due to the nature of education here. But when you look south of the border there are a multitude of approaches to education that are being explored.

Combine these two and we have some serious thinking to do about the place and role of Christian Education.

I don't think we can keep doing what we've always done. We stand at a crossroads.

"Which way do we go?"

Alex van Donkersgoed is a Christian Teacher who is fascinated by the potential for technology in education. He works in a private, independent, religious school. Click here to read more by van Donkersgoed.