Did you like how I managed to pray for chaplains today without praying for a particular decision in the high court. I felt like I was being very diplomatic, in the truest sense of the word.
Question for Nathan...who would fund them if the government didn't? I think they are a good idea (I have a relative who is a primary school chaplain) but are you thinking churches should fund them? Or someone else entirely? Just curious...
When I first heard about the howard government's chaplaincy plan I was excited about the possibilities. But having considered it more and watched how it's panned out, I think there are real issues. Who pays your wages matters.
While on the government's payroll, chaplains can't talk about Jesus.
I've been to a chaplaincy support night. No talk about Jesus.
Okay then...that does make sense (very familiar with the argument about being on the government payroll and not being able to talk about Jesus...). I do have some concerns about chaplaincy, mainly these relate to the nature of the work they do, sometimes I think it has the potential to spill over into counselling that perhaps requires someone more highly qualified? But if churches or other Christian organisations funded them to be in schools, then I assume there would be a massive outcry from those who believe that public education should be free of religion altogether (the anti-Scripture in schools people). I don't think they can win either way. Unless an NGO could fund them...
To which my response is that of the Professor in the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - 'Bless me, what do they teach children in school these days?'. When Christian ministers go on a government payroll, they are always compromised. The history of missions is littered with this kind of well-intentioned sell-out, which in hindsight, IMO, is always a mistake. I find it distressing that our historical memory is so short and faulty.
Thanks Nathan, a good argument. I haven't signed any petitions supporting them either...mostly because I wanted to look into for/against a bit further. Your post was really helpful.
They can all go bad?
ReplyDeleteHard to speak against them.
ReplyDeleteI feel bad that I'm not signing any petitions to support them. A good chaplain is a fabulous thing.
Yes - but a bad one is a total disaster
ReplyDeleteDid you like how I managed to pray for chaplains today without praying for a particular decision in the high court. I felt like I was being very diplomatic, in the truest sense of the word.
ReplyDeleteGovernment funded chaplains are a terrible idea.
I did!
ReplyDeleteYou managed to sound very supportive of them...
Question for Nathan...who would fund them if the government didn't?
ReplyDeleteI think they are a good idea (I have a relative who is a primary school chaplain) but are you thinking churches should fund them? Or someone else entirely? Just curious...
When I first heard about the howard government's chaplaincy plan I was excited about the possibilities. But having considered it more and watched how it's panned out, I think there are real issues. Who pays your wages matters.
ReplyDeleteWhile on the government's payroll, chaplains can't talk about Jesus.
I've been to a chaplaincy support night. No talk about Jesus.
Okay then...that does make sense (very familiar with the argument about being on the government payroll and not being able to talk about Jesus...). I do have some concerns about chaplaincy, mainly these relate to the nature of the work they do, sometimes I think it has the potential to spill over into counselling that perhaps requires someone more highly qualified? But if churches or other Christian organisations funded them to be in schools, then I assume there would be a massive outcry from those who believe that public education should be free of religion altogether (the anti-Scripture in schools people). I don't think they can win either way. Unless an NGO could fund them...
ReplyDeleteHi Karen, rather than reinvent the wheel - here's where I've, I think, articulated my case.
ReplyDeleteTo which my response is that of the Professor in the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - 'Bless me, what do they teach children in school these days?'. When Christian ministers go on a government payroll, they are always compromised. The history of missions is littered with this kind of well-intentioned sell-out, which in hindsight, IMO, is always a mistake. I find it distressing that our historical memory is so short and faulty.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nathan, a good argument. I haven't signed any petitions supporting them either...mostly because I wanted to look into for/against a bit further. Your post was really helpful.
ReplyDelete