In Australia we regularly have public discussions about the merits of education in the government school system verses private (usually Christian) schools. Because of the much lower public contribution to private schools there are very good financial reasons from the government perspective to support private schools. However there are also counter claims of 'elitism' and 'privilege' which does not sit well in what we like to think is a very egalitarian society.
Proponents of private schools often point to the importance of learning Christian ethics and values which are perceived to be lacking in the public sector education system. Arguments invitably arise as to what distinguishes Christian ethics and values from the secular. If Christians merely point to the ten commandments as the guide to their values, secularists can rightly point to the laws of our country which both correlate quite well and are more detailed than the words God gave to Moses.
I think a better distinction comes from the words Jesus spoke and the example he gave:
This creates an interesting dissonance in western society. I suspect it also applies throughout the world. We expect our leaders to serve us, and yet if we were called before our head of state, most people would feel a sense of subservience - an expectation they would serve at the request of the leader.
So when does service become leadership? A thesaurus certainly won't show a match of these two words, but can we consider 'Service' and 'Leadership' to be synonymous?
Proponents of private schools often point to the importance of learning Christian ethics and values which are perceived to be lacking in the public sector education system. Arguments invitably arise as to what distinguishes Christian ethics and values from the secular. If Christians merely point to the ten commandments as the guide to their values, secularists can rightly point to the laws of our country which both correlate quite well and are more detailed than the words God gave to Moses.
I think a better distinction comes from the words Jesus spoke and the example he gave:
[sup]43[/sup]But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, [sup]44[/sup]and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. [sup]45[/sup]For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Mark 10:43-45
I believe there is a much greater emphasis on service in the Christian faith than there is in the secular world, or even any other religion. The attitude of service is also what we expect of our leaders. If our leaders are not working in the best interests of the people (ie serving them) then democracy provides us with a mechanism to choose someone who will serve.Mark 10:43-45
This creates an interesting dissonance in western society. I suspect it also applies throughout the world. We expect our leaders to serve us, and yet if we were called before our head of state, most people would feel a sense of subservience - an expectation they would serve at the request of the leader.
So when does service become leadership? A thesaurus certainly won't show a match of these two words, but can we consider 'Service' and 'Leadership' to be synonymous?