Vol 50, Num 3 :: 2011.02.01 — 2011.03.31
These guidelines have emerged as a result of conversations in the Unity Christian School community on how to grapple with the issue of diversity. They are a work in progress and not a finished policy. They are designed to provide a framework for the discussion of a very important and difficult issue. These guidelines are offered here with the hope that they will stimulate discussions in other Christian schools as well. For further information, please contact Ed Noot at Unity Christian School.
Our Unity Christian School community
is firmly committed to assisting its students
in developing their God-given potential
to enable them to join in the work
of building the kingdom of God.
As a community, Unity Christian School believes that all students are entitled to learn in a safe and healthy environment. We believe that our schools should be places where our students are welcomed and embraced for who they are in Christ. We believe that all students, regardless of their varying abilities, race, family situations, etc., are to be treated with respect and dignity.
We believe that:
Christian schools receive their responsibility to educate students through a trust relation established between the enrolled families and the school. Students are entrusted by their parents to Unity Christian School for an education that is presented from a Christian worldview, including biblical, Christian content toward the goal of Christ like living. Our mandate is to remain faithful to the trust that parents have placed in the school for the welfare of their children. The second part of our mandate is to remain faithful to the biblical, Christian tradition on matters of belief and morality.
Unity Christian School affirms the following principles:
The area of discrimination based on sexual orientation or same gender attraction (SGA) is one that our school is facing or may face in the future. In this day and age, this type of discrimination merits special consideration.
Unity Christian School affirms the following principles when dealing with concerns around SGA:
Unity Christian School will seek to embody these principles with an attitude of:
The atmosphere at Unity Christian School must be made to be and to feel like a safe place for all its students. Our school also reflects an atmosphere of humble understanding and respect for each other’s human frailty, and our commitment to love one another as we have been loved by a gracious God. Everything that we do must be framed within these principles. Unity Christian School avoids principles and attitudes that lead to hatred or contempt for others.
Unity Christian School is careful and thoughtful as we interpret scripture. A sound, biblical worldview is done with exegetical excellence within the context of the general themes of the entire scripture.
This document outlines the basic beliefs to which Unity Christian School adheres. It is meant as a framework from which all other policies stem, such as our Community Standards Document, Admissions Policy, Discipline Policy, etc.
Unity Christian School would look to Society of Christian Schools in British Columbia documents for specific guidance as necessary.
As an education committee, we endorse the SCSBC’s Same Gender Attraction document and would use it as guidance should the need arise.
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