Certain educational institutions still claim to be Church schools and continue
to employ chaplains in spite of post-Enlightenment cynicism and
secularization. A number of chaplains face a struggle to balance obligations
to both Church and school. Some face ambivalence about their continued
appointment in their liberal educational institutions. In some cases it appears
that they are merely appointed out of deference to tradition. In other schools,
however, there is a strong declaration that the chaplain and all that the
position entails in terms of chapel services and the teaching of the Christian
religion, remains an integral part of the Church school. There is confusion
regarding the role, expectations and prospects of chaplaincy. Certain
chaplains are definitely marginalised from the mainstream of school life until
traditional religious services require what is apparently a charade of Church
faith at schools that are largely secularised. I argue that the marginalisation of
the spiritual from the rest of the school programme is not in the best interests
of continuing the excellence of the educational experience and the
transformation of South African Independent Church schools. This would be
better served by seeking an integrated worldview to sustain a way of life
beyond school years. Chaplains may take on the role of encouraging
education for the whole of life by facilitating critical thinking and broad
conversations across the artificial barriers of school subject compartments.
They may also lead a Church school community towards a fresh investigation
of Christianity that will involve the chaplain’s liturgical, teaching, pastoral and
social action roles, a marriage of theory and praxis to bring the balance of
head, heart and hands.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/5913 |
| Date | 24 December 2008 |
| Creators | Krige, Jeanette Rosiland |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf |
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