Gratitude and Concern

Ten years ago our school society commenced. I will never forget that evening because already at that time several attempts had been made to frustrate the establishing of a school on the foundation we may now have. But from the very first the Lord has caused those attempts to fail. His special care has been upon us until the present day!

How humble gratitude ought to fill our hearts! It is unbelievable what some parents sacrifice in order to have their children follow the course of education which is offered at our school. Would it not be good to observe this with grateful reverence?

Nevertheless, there is also reason for concern. After all, with a large increase in students something can so easily go wrong, by which the character of education could be harmed! The responsibility of the board therefore has become exceedingly great, not only with regard to the admission policy of students, but also in connection with the policy of appointing teachers, for the Reformed character of the school depends on this!

The late Rev. J. Van Haaren (19331983) served congregations at Rijssen and Amersfoort during his life as pastor in the Gereformeerde Gemeenten (Netherlands Reformed Congregations). He was the first chairman of a school society for secondary education at Amersfoort. This society was formed in 1968 when it became increasingly evident that secondary education had lost much of its Christian character. The name Reformed had become disjoined from the Reformation. As a result, under the leadership of office-bearers, members of several of our congregations banded together, and Reformational schools were established. In 1978 Rev. Van Haaren wrote an article entitled, Verwondering en Bezorgdheid, from which this condensed translation is drawn. (The term verwondering means more than amazement; it also conveys quiet gladness and thankfulness.) The original school has grown into several types of secondary education, including academic, secretarial, and vocational schooling.

Our school has been established by and for parents, who, for consciences sake, wish to have Reformed education given to their children. Now that the school is operating, the danger exists that parents will send their children to our school for reasons other than the Reformational principle. For example, they may send their children out of convenience or because they assume that no drugs are used at our school.

They expect then that the school will carry out young peoples upbringing as far as the religious aspect is concerned. I often ask myself: why do such parents send their children to a Reformed school? And should their children be automatically admitted? Then we would experience that whatever we try to build up at school, is broken down at home!

We must continue to strive for this aim: to admit to our school only the children of those parents whose life shows that Reformed principles are dear to them and therefore also seek to carry this out at home. We need each other so much in this time of declension. Let us therefore be one in our walk of life at home and at school. This can be of much support for our children. Naturally, the teachers who are appointed by the board should meet this requirement. It is of the utmost importance that they, too, stand wholeheartedly behind the statutes and the rules of the schools constitution and take care that they are being followed. We must also not forget that there are articles in the constitution of the school which should be followed outside of the school building as well because they are articles which have universal validity. That validity they derive from Holy Scripture.

Also teachers and parents must be examples, for a good example yields more edification than many good words. If our life agrees with our words, this gives persuasive power.

If, however, our life is in disagreement with what we say, much is destroyed. These matters ought to be taken to heart by us if we are going to register our children for secondary education.

And do not say that these things are only peripheral. Certain rules relate to externals, but the externals are significant. Of course, it is good if we are not satisfied with form alone. The heart has to join with the deeds! For that reason we can never pray too much for heart-renewing grace. However, no matter how important this may be for each one personally, when it concerns a school at which the parents register their children, we cannot and may not judge about the heart. Then we have to go by what we see and hear. And then the outward things do play an important role. If people say that they stand behind the principles of the school, this will also have to show in their lives, not just occasionally, but at all times; not just at school, but everywhere we go. Parents and teachers, whose actions and walk are in harmony with Gods Word, can offer each other and their children much support in this day of declining norms.

How sad it is to observe that much of Christianity today is weak and watered-down. The Christian life is too intolerant and too narrow for many. Hence, people push scripture to one side, stating, I think differently about that, when it concerns matters about which Gods Word does not leave us in doubt. Thus they balance on the edge of what is deemed permissible, but, before they realize it, that border has been crossed. It is no wonder that Gods Word warns us time and again against world-conformity and urges us to be sober and watch!

Truly, glancing back at the fact that our school society now exists more than ten years and that our school has entered its fifth year, there is every reason for gratitude, but also, concern!

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