The Community Connection JUNE 2014
Community in the Café Strathroy Community Christian School’s (SCCS) vision is to provide outstanding, transformative education of mind, body and spirit so that God will be glorified in the Strathroy community. When you read this vision statement, do you get excited and think that this is what Christian schools should be doing in every community? Perhaps when you read this you are less excited about the purpose of education to impact the students’ communities. One of the criticisms of ‘private’ Christian education is that it is exactly that – private, in more ways than one. On May 21, our students put on an Art Café at Coffee Culture in Strathroy. This was an evening designed specifically to engage the broader community in SCCS. Students had their artwork on display and many students also sang and played instruments. It was a great night, not just for students, parents and teachers, but for others in the Strathroy community who experienced a glimpse into Christian education. Jesus often taught his disciples in small groups or in private settings. Take the book of Mark as an example. This book of the Bible is filled with accounts of Jesus’ miracles and his teachings through parables. Interwoven between these miracles are times where Jesus rejects or retreats from community for a time of teaching. In Mark 8, 9 and 14 Jesus has conversations with His disciples about His own identity and who is considered the greatest. He also allows His disciples to experience the Transfiguration and the Lord’s Supper together. So, even while Jesus leaves the presence of the greater community, He is teaching His disciples what it means to live in community. He does this so they are equipped and ready when they enter towns and cities to spread the Word.
Providing quality, Christ-centred education
SCCS is similar. We strive to provide a loving and safe place for students to be able to learn about Jesus. We also provide opportunities for students to experience community as a group of friends, a whole class or as a school body. None of these things are ends in and of themselves. One of the main objectives of Jesus’ ministry was to make His private teachings with the disciples very public in the end. In this sense ‘private’ Christian education is not private at all. It is designed to be shared publicly to provide an opportunity for more people to know and love the Lord Jesus 7880 Walkers Drive Christ. SCCS strives to do this so that God will be glorified in the Strathroy community – even Strathroy, ON N7G 3H4 in the café.
519-245-1934 www.sccs.ca office@sccs.ca
Enjoy this summer, Ken VanMinnen Principal