Does the debate over Islamic Schools point the Way?

Once again the discussion about Islamic Schools expansion in and around Sydney took place on the local radio this morning on my way into Sydney. There's a school at Hoxton Park on Sydney's exploding western fringe which is looking to expand it's campus. This follows up the Land and Environment Court refusal of a development at rural [also south western fringe] Camden on traffic and other grounds.

The discussion took the form of a question about the growing middle class of immigrants in Australia and whether this represents the same desire for their children as Anglican of Catholic families anywhere else in the city and using that comparison to shine a light on the fact local communities are raising traffic, development and congestion or historic value as a smokescreen for cultural and racial concerns [fears, hysteria].

It reminded me of several readings of David Bosch' "Transforming Mission" and the early work of Kennon Callahan and the difficulty of describing the current setting of our call and mission in our contexts and cultures. Bosch' descriptions of the various 'paradigms' [systems, ways of seeing and being, major descriptors of a period in history characterised by shifts and changes from the previous. Indeed much to many Christians disbelief I'm talking about major societal and historical shifts which have then driven demanded or caused a response on the part of communities of faith to live up to their call and sense of purpose.

Is the emerging paradigm going to infuture be clearly described as the globalisation or mutli-faith paradigm. Swamped by the waves of social change in the west since the late 60s and early 70s are we now awash from all sides with the fact that whhatever that meany we are now experiencing the crumbling of all foundations through the power and energy of cultural shift.

Here we sit describing even our Christian churches [with few exceptions] as generally being in decline while Tongan and Korean groups in particular are our fastest growing groups.

Those groups are still struggling in life and death ways with culture shock and the challenges of being 1.5, 2nd and 3rd generations.

Beyond that our suburbs, food & culture, demographic and 'values and ethics> cultural DNA' are being altered radically by the rich and varied cultures joining our indigenous and anglo mix with it's asian and european flavour.

Are we so far behind the changes that the second wave is over our heads. Do we by and large remain rusted on to the institutional models of the 1950s? Some reading tells me the challenge to our 50s+ generation is that in many cases they feel they've 'only just' been handed some power in their communities of faith [churches]. Their great gift and challenge is to flick it straight on and the bigger challenge I find is that my under 50s generation probably needs to do exactly the same.

Where am I heading... we must urgently address the shape of faith communities, the making of disciples, the resourcing and carrying out of mission to empower, give permission and make space for those under 30...

The challenge including the realities of the shifts so clear in our society:
institution to movement
commitment to compassion
this planet to the stars
solid marathon runner culture to excellent sprinter culture
top down maintenance to grassroots mission
controlling and directing to creativity and objectives
focus on the parts to focus on the whole

Hmmm, well good theory, what does that mean...
My head hurts now and I have to go... but it has implications for my own 'Dungeon' congregation on Sunday night reflecting on the missional challenge of a new property development BUT also for a paper I'd like to write as a scenario for the future shape of resourcing our ministry and missionas a Uniting Church in Australia here across NSW/ACT... more to follow!!

In short, these schools should be built where the planning and traffic are genuinely dealt with and then we can get on with the task of expressing our unique faith and life perspectives in a rich and dynamic society fuelled by faith communities seeking the explore and share the best of who we are... in God's Spirit seeking to answer the question of how we can live out our lives and faith in a way that transforms the world according to the values of God!