Another perspective on The Role of a State School Chaplain

This is another document going around, attempting to put some defnition on the

"NSCP" variety of a chaplain (as I discussed 2 posts ago: this is NOT the traditional

definition of a Christian Ordained/Lay protestant minister operating within his/her

High school as the place of their ministry.)

Peter Harnwell wrote this doc. as a guideline for churhes and SRE boards, on behalf of

ICCOREIS. I recommend it, because it has some of the 'typical functions' which the

workers are called on to do. I think it describes pretty well how one of us new

"chaplains" can work appropriately, and still remain compliant with our state's

particular "policy environment." With a high level of trust already given over to

churches for the teaching of S.R.E. and unhindered involvement with students through

I.S.C.F. ministry - setting ourselves guidelines is very important. It keeps a balance

in our ministry planning BETWEEN -

a) using the great opportunities we have to preach the gospel/minister directly to students, AND

b) upholding the policy direction of our general school community as based primarily around education (with non-religious content.)

I saw last week firsthand, the discontent and distraction that can be created around someone's

ministry impact as a Christian teacher at our school, by not appreciating the need to
respect this balance in their public environment. A sense of 'entitlement' on the side
of this teacher did not gain him any respect whatsoever with our Principal, who while not
a Christian himself, is very tolerant and supportive of ministry within the provided channels
at his school.

I hope Peter's thoughts will be a further honing of our model, especially for some of you who

are building a model from the ground up, and in a hurry.

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