The question every Christian private school must wrestle with

Leading up to the new school term I’ve had a number of interviews about teaching positions for the upcoming year.

Included in this merry-go-round has been a series of conversations with private or independent Christian schools.

Near the end of each interview I’ve asked the following question…

In light of the cost of your tuition, how does your school reconcile the social justice gospel mandate to include and reach out to the poor, widow, orphan and downtrodden?

I think every wealthy Christian church or school must wrestle with this question.

How to they balance their wealth and/or privilege with a God who especially cares and caters for the least?

How do they reach out to the poor when none, realistically, are within their school or congregation?

How do they give a message of indigenous reconciliation or acceptance, when none in their midst are Aboriginal or Torres Straight Islander?

On most occasions, the schools I’ve had a chat with have been honest and admitted (unsurprisingly) that this is an issue they struggle with.

The challenge, constantly, before churches and wealthy Christian institutions must be the gospel of uncomfortable generosity, compassion and justice.

Why?

Because within these places are some of the people who can, and will, make a dramatic difference in the social justice movement.

They just need their eyes and hearts opened to see and feel the need…