I've resisted starting a blog for ages -one because I'm middle aged and don't really 'get' the whole web2 or whatever its called thingy, and two because I've always though that they were only written by self-important people who were overly impressed by how interesting their thoughts were.  But hey - I  am  overly impressed by how interesting my thoughts are - who am I trying to kid!

Anyway, here in England the whole 'faith school' debate is raging. On one side, faith schools are evil, brainwashing, socially divisive promulgators of racial bigotry, on the other, they are an oasis of Christian values, a beacon shining out truth and love in a divided, materialistic and spiritually bankrupt society.  The first sides denies that any church school is socially and ethnically inclusive, the second that they all are.  The first side is uncritically critical, the second just uncritical.  Reality lies somewhere inbetween these two.

Why mission shaped schools?  Well, I am sure if you are reading this you already know all about the Church of England's 'Mission shaped church' agenda - all about bringing the church to the people rather than expecting the people to just come to the church - and therefore about changing - sometimes radically - how and where things are done.  It calls these 'fresh expressions' of what it is to be 'church'.  Somewhere in the original document is a little bit about church schools as 'fresh expressions' but its a very small section.  Yet church schools, at their best, embody everything that the 'mission shaped' agenda cherishes.  They take the church out into the community, to where people are, they work with families, they proclaim the gospel to people who would otherwise never encounter it, they are praying and worshipping communities, they provide a range of practical support for people above and beyond their basic remit of educating children.  This was recognised in the Dearing report where he said that 'church schools are at the heart of mission'.  But neither in the church itself nor in the schools is this much talked about - what a waste.  Clergy see church schools as a diversion from their 'real' work and church schools are too occupied with being a  school to reflect overmuch on what being a church  school might  - should - look like.  Let alone to think about that in terms of mission.  Especially if they are at the more liberal end of the spectrum - then the word 'mission' is seen as an embarrassment, making claims not appropriate in a multi cultural, multi faith environment.  But is doesn't have to be like this.

I am passionately committed to church schools as places where God’s creative, liberating and empowering love is made flesh in practical, down-to-earth ways that touch peoples’ lives.  I believe that church schools should be both signs and instruments of the gospel – distinctive and effective; serving, enriching and transforming communities.  I believe that church schools are at the heart of the church’s mission to this nation and I long to help church schools realise their vocation to live out both  aspects of their mission – effectively delivering the five outcomes of ‘Every Child Matters’ and also sharing the good news that every one of us matters to God.  I believe in church schools as places where valuing cultural diversity and promoting racial and social justice are absolutely integral to what they do.  That's what I want to talk about in this blog -most of the time.  I might wander.