Verband Evangelischer Bekenntnisschulen Association of Christian Evangelical Schools VEBS

Transcription

1 Verband Evangelischer Bekenntnisschulen

2 Verband Evangelischer Bekenntnisschulen 1. What is the primary mission of the Christian school movement in Germany? 2. What are the primary challenges and opportunities in Germany? 3. What/how can we contribute to the community of Christian education across Europe? 4. What collaborative project have we found most useful in advancing our mission as a Christian school/christian organization?

3 Vision and Mission 1. What is the primary mission of the Christian school movement in Germany? Vision: What we want to be or see? What is the purpose of our organization in this generation? Mission: How we are going to get there or become that? The mission flows from and is an outworking of the vision. Vision of a missionary nurse about to go to Africa to serve in a hospital: see the health of babies in Africa improved. Her mission: How this is achieved? (getting on the plane, arriving in Africa, serving in a hospital)

4 1a. Our Vision The German Association of Christian Schools has a clear vision for their member schools. (what we want to see; our purpose): transmit a qualified school education help young people to understand the origins of life from a biblical perspective help them to form their own opinion on our cultural assets help them to grow in their personality prepare them to be fit for life help them to understand the gospel and help them to accept Jesus as their saviour

5 1a. Our Vision To put the German Association of Christian Schools vision into one sentence: Learning life through God s love

6 Looking Back into History VEBS wants to do its work in the tradition of Martin Luther und August Hermann Francke : transmit knowledge and biblical truths show that man needs salvation unite knowledge education faith

7 Martin Luther s Example Society's well-being depends on the investment it makes in educating its youth and preparing them for civic responsibility and independent thinking. M.L. Martin Luther For Luther, of course, education was grounded in the study of Scripture, a study that was to take place both within homes and schools.

8 August Hermann Francke s Example August Hermann Francke An outstanding Christian educational pioneer. He had innovative teaching ideas and combined transmitting knowledge with biblical truths. Honored by German Mail as Helper of Mankind

9 Francke s Campus in Halle In 1699 : 72 teachers educated more than 1000 pupils, later up to The campus in Halle in UNESCO World Heritage today

10 VEBS-Foundation in Halle 2006 The ceremony on the historic site of Halle where August Hermann Francke established his famous schools in the 18th century.

11 Looking Back into History The foundation of the VEBS was necessary to help to meet the challenges of the growing number of schools. provide more service (for ex.: with legal and financial questions). provide more support (for initiatives to found new schools). help to train and equip teachers and board members. New branch: establish day-care centres for children. At the moment: 8 with about 400 children

12 Looking Back into History Early eighties last century The beginnings:

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17 Christian Schools in Germany Christian schools in Germany today: 178 schools pupils on 76 sites run by 67 private school boards. ca. 100 VEBS-schools ca pupils on 56 sites run by 35 private school boards

18 1b.Mission What is our mission? (How we are going to get there or become that?) - Enable teachers to offer a qualified school education! - Enable teachers so that their students understand the origins of life from a biblical perspective! -Enable teachers to help students so that they can form their own opinion on our cultural assets! - Enable teachers to help students grow in their personality, ~ to prepare young people to be fit for life!

19 1b.Mission Training of teachers/principals We offer seminars to help them to understand teaching from a biblical point of view and prepare teaching material. Improving cooperation with various schools in different German regions. Training of non-teaching staff We offer seminars in cooperation with professionals. Edit teaching material We help teachers with teaching material.

20 2a.Challenges Recruiting of teachers We inform young people in in churches and student organizations and are present at Christian Congresses and inform local churches leaders. Growing pressure of state governments We are worried about the growing pressure to accept their world view (for ex. sexual diversity). Lack of training institutes for bible based education

21 2b. Opportunites Impact on our society School-leavers of our school can influence and change their direct neighborhood.

22 3. What/how can we contribute to the community of Christian education across Europe Exchange programs for teachers and students By visiting and learning from each other we can grow together as one big Christian European school community. Some German schools are interested in school-partnerships.

23 Stuttgart participants at last year s conference in Hungary. 4. What collaborative project have we found most useful in advancing our mission as a Christian school/christian organization