Association Application Form
APPLICATION FOR ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP
Thank you for considering membership of the Launceston Christian School Association. We value your desire to partner with us, as together we maintain our Christ Centred foundation and build a sustainable vision for the future of Christian Education at our school. Membership is open to all professing Christians including past students, parents or friends of our Christian School community.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
Read the below statement carefully.
I declare my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour, Lord and God and my wholehearted acceptance of and agreement with the objects of the Association as defined in Clause 4 of the Constitution. (A full copy of the Constitution and Educational Creed can be acquired via the School Office, the Board Secretary or the School website).
I declare that I understand that the beliefs and practices of the Launceston Christian School (Inc.) are based upon the divinely inspired, inerrant Word of God, as interpreted by the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism, the Canons of Dort and/or the Westminster Confession, and the Educational Creed annexed to the Constitution. I agree to uphold, promote, and abide by this basis of belief and practice, in my participation and involvement in the Association and School.
In making this declaration I confirm my personal acceptance of and agreement with this interpretation, belief and practice in so far as the following description of a Biblically informed worldview and its integration into the teaching and learning of the school, relates to the above-mentioned creeds.
There is only one true and living God who is infinite in being and perfection; In God there are three persons; God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. All three persons are equal in power, glory and eternity; The universe does not exist by chance. It was brought into existence by God and everything in it is sustained and governed by Him; What can be known and understood is dependent on what God makes known. The wisdom, power and goodness of God is evident in His Creation. He reveals Himself to us in a special way in His Word (the Bible). If we are to know truth that leads to reconciliation, the Holy Spirit must enlighten us from His Word. If we are to live in His ways, His Word must be “a lamp to our feet, a light to our path”. God also enables all discovery and understanding of how the universe works; God created humanity, male and female, in His image, meaning that we were able and willing, in heart and mind, to live in relationship with Him. Living in loving and obedient relationship with Him is fundamental to our being human; However, humankind has rebelled against God. We are now affected in every aspect of our being by sin. We are alienated from God. Though the remnants of God’s image remain, we are, by nature, subjects of His wrath and in need of salvation;
God, in His word, has graciously revealed His law which informs us of the way we are to live in obedience to Him, loving Him above all else and our neighbour as ourselves. The effect of sin, however, means that of ourselves we fall far short and our rebellion continues; God has graciously made a way of redemption through the atoning work of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who is God the Son. He took to himself human nature (body and soul) to suffer and die and pay the price for sin. Only through His sacrifice and perfect life in our place can we be restored to a right relationship with God; God graciously restores those He has redeemed by enabling them more and more to live lives of obedience and fellowship with him by the special work of His Holy Spirit; While the good of humankind and human progress and development are worthy and essential goals, the glory of God is the ultimate goal of teaching and learning. We strive for the good of mankind because the glory of God is our ultimate goal; While life in this world is important; eternity and the world to come are our ultimate concern.
In a Christian School due consideration is given to conveying and integrating a Biblically informed worldview as it applies in each area of learning.
Teachers plan for and deliver teaching and learning which enables students to understand their place in the Biblical story; beginning with Creation, followed by humankind’s Fall into sin and then God’s unfolding plan of Redemption and Renewal. Students learn that everything we do is part of God’s plan, whether we live in obedience to Him or in rebellion against Him, yet, we are never coerced and are completely responsible for our actions.
In considering CREATION, students learn of the wisdom, power and goodness of God demonstrated in what He has made and sustains. Students explore God’s good design with awe and wonder; they recognise His good provision and His wise sustaining of all things. They appreciate the blessing of productive and gainful employment and of wholesome rest and recreation.
In considering the FALL, students are made aware of humankind’s rebellion against God. They learn of the effect of that sinful rebellion on humankind and on the creation in general. Students learn that all sorrow and affliction, all human suffering, disease and death, are the effect and consequence of this Fall; they learn that, in contrast with humankind’s original situation and circumstances (life in communion and fellowship with God), the Earth is now a place of toil, strife, trial, tribulation and catastrophe. They learn that degradation and pollution of the Earth is the result of sinful humankind’s failure to exercise good stewardship of Earth’s God-given resources.
In considering REDEMPTION and RENEWAL, students learn that God is working out His plan to restore union and communion with His people through the cross of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Students learn of God’s forbearance and His restraint of evil among all humankind but, in particular, they learn of His glorious work of grace demonstrated when His people respond by:
Loving God
Becoming caretakers and good stewards of the Earth
Building community Celebrating the life we are given
Challenging distortions
Discovering creation patterns
Embracing diversity
Expressing words in response to His goodness.
Getting wisdom
Imagining and innovating
Imitating humility
Overcoming setbacks
Pondering creation
Practicing hospitality
Pursuing peace
Reflecting creativity
Relishing play
Seeking justice
Shaping culture
Showing mercy
Transforming thinking
Understanding vocation
Unwrapping gifts
TEACHING AND LEARNING
Accordingly, teachers plan for
teaching and learning that:
Acknowledges with awe and wonder the wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, grace and truth of God;
Is Biblically informed and as such is relevant and valid because it not only enables us to achieve for our own good but, above all, enables us to live our lives in His service;
Emphasises responsibility to God, humanity and this world.
IN SO DOING TEACHERS
Emphasise Christian hope;
Encourage concern for others;
Cultivate Christian discernment;
Foster a Christian response;
Give due emphasis to our participation in a changing world;
Are mindful of preparation for later vocational and educational opportunities;
Provide for variety and connections to life.
IN MAKING THIS APPLICATION I HEREBY PROMISE TO
1 Pay the annual membership fee when accepted as a member
2 Abide by the Constitution and rules of the Association
3 Withdraw from membership if I become unable to subscribe to any of the above
4 Actively participate in such areas as: Association meetings, school activities, financial support.