The Christian school movement has shown continued growth in New Zealand in recent years. The New Zealand Association for Christian Schools has about sixty member schools and many other Christian schools also operate in New Zealand. All these schools recognise that they are part of a larger movement in Christian education, but at the same time have consciously pursued their unique and sometimes very distinctive character. Such diversity can enrich the movement, as it increases the ability of the movement to serve people with different traditions, cultures, needs and understandings of the role of the school. However, it makes a lack of cohesion and direction of the movement as a whole, a real possibility.

A desire has been expressed that a clear statement of vision for New Zealand Christian schools be written. Such a statement could help unite us in our biblical commitment,

• help those not in the movement to understand it,
• help focus the vision of Christian schools and
• provide a coherent platform for expansion of the movement.

Just as Habakkuk received instruction to "write the vision" and "make it plain" so that those who read it may "run with it", it seems good to us, who have had some years experience in the Christian schools movement, to clearly express our vision in the form of this statement. 

1. We believe there is one God, eternally existent in three persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
2. We believe the Bible to be the inspired, and only infallible, authoritative, inerrant Word of God.
3. We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His vicarious and atoning death, His resurrection, His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and His personal return in power and glory.
4. We believe in the necessity of regeneration by the Holy Spirit for salvation because of the sinfulness of human nature; and that we are justified only by God’s grace and through faith in the work of Christ on the cross.
5. We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
6. We believe in the ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a righteous life.
7. We believe in the resurrection of the saved to life and the lost to damnation.

It is our desire that all Christians involved in education be increasingly diligent in distinguishing that which is based on Christ from that which is derived from human presuppositions.

Thirdly, we affirm the sufficiency of Scripture. It is authoritative in all matters and its principles are applicable to all issues. We believe there is no matter or issue which is merely ‘secular’. As we believe the content of curriculum should be Christ-centred rather than man or creation centred, the foundations of all curriculum should be the principles of the Word of God. Teachers should seek insight from Scripture as a foundation to all that is taught.

It is our desire that all Christian teachers commit time to review all their teaching practice in the light of biblical principles. Christian schools need to renew their commitment to pursue an increasingly biblical Christian approach to all of their curriculum, in the content and delivery of instruction, the structure of classes, administrative structures and policies, and their relationship to the community they serve.

Fourthly, we affirm that mankind was created by God, uniquely in His image, and is given dominion over Earth to populate and manage it, as responsible stewards, under God. The fulfilment of this task requires us to research the many ways each part of creation serves Him, discern the way we must personally serve Him, and develop the skills needed to fulfil this calling. This process we have come to associate with the concept of education.

It is our desire that Christians be trained to work from the basis of biblical truth, and thus be leaders in the research and technology which advances the wise management of this planet.

 Fifthly, in our fallen state, marred by sin, we need to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit to become children of God and then mature in our new relationship with God. This includes the renewing of our minds. Thus, we believe the purpose of education is to lead children of God to maturity, and to equip them for serving God in His kingdom both in this age, and for eternity.

We sincerely desire that Christian educators align their practice to this goal of assisting students be strong in spirit and in godly character.

Sixthly, we believe that the education of children is essentially a parental right and responsibility. We do not believe that parents should necessarily be the sole agents of education, but that parents should be actively involved in choosing what their children should learn, and where, when and by whom they are instructed. Active administration of the education of their children should be an integral part of a parents way of life.

Our desire is that all Christian parents take up their responsibility to ensure their children are educated biblically, by personal instruction and, should they choose, by delegation to others who will teach them biblically.

Seventhly, we believe a day school is accountable to God to work in the service of parents, assisting them to fulfil their responsibility to educate their children, rather than be an instrument which absolves parents of their educational responsibility.

Our desire is that Christian schools devise strategies which recognise and give place to the family as the basic social structure in which a child lives and receives nurture and admonition.

Eighthly, we believe that tertiary or further education should involve the discipling of servants and leaders in the kingdom of God in the various vocations to which God has called them. Christians in all vocations should be actively involved in the training of others in their vocation within a thoroughly biblical framework.

We desire to see Christian tradespersons, professionals, and enterprise leaders seeking to mentor Christian disciples, and promoting the establishment of supporting Christian educational institutions such as tradeschools, business colleges, teachers’ colleges, law schools, medical and nursing schools, which teach from biblical foundations.

Ninthly, we believe the Church has a pivotal role in education. As the covenant community to which families belong, it can encourage and assist families to fulfil their responsibility to educate their children in the knowledge of the Lord. Its leadership can research and teach biblical principles underpinning the issues addressed in both general and vocational education. Such teaching would help remove the sacred/secular dichotomy prevalent in the thinking of many Christians. The church can impart to unbelievers and their families some understanding of biblical principles and can foster the launching of new Christian educational endeavours.

Our desire is to see all churches actively supporting the cause of Christian education.

Tenthly, we believe the Christian community in New Zealand must awaken to the need of and take seriously the biblical mandate to educate their children for service in God’s kingdom. Christian families, Churches and educational institutions must work together to foster biblical thinking and discernment in their children and young people.

We want to see in our nation strong, biblical Christian leadership committed to bringing all areas of life under the control of Christ.

Unless Christians think biblically and are obedient to God’s Word, they become hidden in the culture around them, and as such are not ‘salt and light’. But if Christians are educated to think and act biblically in all of life, they can have a profound effect on society. The more Christians think the mind of Christ in all things:

    * the more they may live out a Christ-like life style,
    * the more they may display the rule of God in their public life,
    * the more they may influence our institutions,
    * the more they may attract others to the Lord,
    * the more our society will experience in limited measure justice and peace, and
    * the more God may be glorified eternally.

This statement is not a final creed but an expression of our developing understanding of the mind of God on these matters. The Scripture references presented as footnotes are not given as proof texts, but rather as representative of what the Bible says concerning these matters.

May we commit ourselves to pray fervently for one another, as we discern our personal responsibility to God in education.