Job Discussion Forums

[Mchristophermsw]

I am considering looking at teaching at a Christian or Catholic schools, colleges or University in Asia ( Korea, Tiawan, Japan, Thialand, Singapore )

If anyone has a list of some schools to check out it would be appreciated.
Iam also posting this on some other boards to see what I can come up with.

Thanks in advance

[sojourner]

Chris,

Thanks for sharing with us some of your insights and experiences, as per your recent postings to some other threads.

You asked about "Christian" and "Catholic" schools and colleges. Regarding Thailand, I believe that there is an institution that calls itself "The Christian University" (or something like that !) about half-way between Bangkok and Hua Hin. I believe that there are a number of "Christian" schools in the Bangkok area. However, about 12 months, or so, ago on Dave's Thailand site, there was a posting from someone who had been working at Bangkok's largest and oldest "Christian" school - I can't recall what he/she wrote, but it appears that that place is really bad news - do a search on Dave's.

I believe that there are a large number of "Christian" schools in Sth Korea. However, I have noticed some complaints from FTs who were expected to perform "additional duties" over and above those specified in their contracts.Thus, you may be expected to take Bible study classes after hours.

From my experience, it would appear that places that call themselves "Christian schools" are usually run by what are commonly termed "fundamentalist" churches. If you call yourself a Christian, but don't belong to their particular denomination or fellowship - or, at least, demonstrate at the interview, that you adhere to their particular tradition (eg "Reformed Evangelical", "Pentecostal", etc) - you may be treated as "a bit suss". Thus, to keep your job, you always have to be careful of what you teach - something that you might regard as being quite innocent, could be be interpreted in the mind of of the principal as evidence that you have "liberal" or "modernist" tendencies - or, even be "proof" that you are "unsaved" ! Could you really work in such an environment ? And, even if the school's leaders seem to be "nice", could you feel at home in a place in which, for example, the biology curriculum is based on strict "creationist" principles ?

Places that call themselves, say, "Catholic" or "Anglican" may be alright. But, even here, be careful : that long-established school in Thailand that I referred to above, is, I believe, attached to one of the mainline denominations.

Why don't you ask someone at your denomination's HQ for a listing of schools in Asia ? Also, do some google searches, eg: "Chistian Universities Thailand", etc.

Also, don't give up entirely on "secular" institutions - they are not necessarily the playgrounds of Satan !

Anyway, I hope that you will find a place that you'll be happy and comfortable in.

Good luck !

Regards,

Peter

[Mchristophermsw]

Thanks for the reply.

I dont think Secular schools are bad, I just never worked in a Religous school and wonderd how that might be...maybe better? maybe worse?

But you did make several good points that I never thought about.
Thanks so much for your thoughtful reply!

[Gordon]

Peter, you made some interesting points. However, I see it in the opposite view. Most so-called Christian universities are not Christian at all, but they were started by missionaries or American universities a long time ago. The campuses may look Christian with an old Church, but no one knows what it is. Some of the ads and schools I have seen in Korea are not all that evangelical (from my perspective), but would seem to take just about anybody, regardless of your beliefs.
In many ways, I see very little difference between Christian and secular universities in Asia (generally). I am sure there are true Christian universities out there though.

[sojourner]

Hi Gordon,

Thanks for your comments.

Yes, I suppose that many of the institutions established many years ago would probably full into your category of being merely "nominally Christian". But would this necessarily be such a bad thing ? As you implied, over time, the Christian institutions of higher learning in Asia, founded within the past century, or so, would have gradually become susceptible to modern, secular approaches to rational enquiry - or, in some cases, could have been open to non-dogmatic and secular approaches almost from the word go, if they had been founded by clerics who saw themselves as acting in accordance with "liberal" or "broad church" principles. Of course, the processes of gradual modernisation and secularisation can also be applied to many of the oldest universities in Europe - nearly all of whom had been established by the Church for the purpose of training the clergy and a handful of other professions. However, over the years many (most?) have gradually adopted the rational, secular approach - consequently, the involvement of the denominational authorities in such institutions has evaporated , especially in areas concerning academic freedom.That is certainly the situation with respect to the "ancient" universities of England and Scotland - although, it might be a somewhat different situation concerning some of their counterparts in the RC countries of Europe .

However, it's a different story with the institutions calling themselves "Christian" that have been in existence for the past two decades, or so. It would appear that many such institutions are closely linked, if not controlled outrightly, by what are usually termed "fundamentlaist' churches. Such churches, on account of their theology, have a world-view that could be described as "anti-modernism", meaning that they find the concept of "rational" and "pluralistic" critical enquiry, to be anathema, with respect to dogmas concerning, say, Biblical inerrancy and literalism. While I have considerable philosophical misgivings with the "materialistic" spirit of the age, I doubt very much whether the "fundamentalist" universities are really conducive to the development of mature spiritual insights in the hearts and minds of their students. But apart from the spiritual aspect, it is very doubtful, in my opinion, whether the "fundamentalist' universities, in their secular disciplines, would provide their students with the opportunity to develop their critical faculties and to broaden their horizons - thus, hampering their chances of surviving in the outside world

You mentioned something about Sth Korea. From what I've heard, Christianity has been growing in leaps and bounds in that land in recent years - and the expressions that appears to be the most popular are those based on the evangelical and pentecostal traditions, in particular the churches which emulate the newer forms of American pentecostalism, as well as those charismatic churches which appear to have blended the pentecostal approach with some aspects of indigenous spiritual expression. Thus, to determine whether any Korean universities that call themselves Christian are "true believers", or not, one would need to determine when the institutions in question were first established. But there could be problems here:an institution that could have been established by, say American Methodist missionaries many years ago, may now be run by the "new evangelicals" - probably, hoping that retaining the institution's old name would still be a drawcard.

Re the term "Christian" universities. One thing that particularly worries me, is the extent that "evangelicals" and "fundamentalists" have hijacked the term "Christian".Yes, I agree that at one time, the term could have meant anyone who was, at least, a nominal member of any Christian denomination - or, even anyone who was white and not an outright atheist or Jew ! But, today, even someone who knows very little about theology or church history, would probably not associate the terms "Christian schools", "Christian literature", Christian music", etc, with the mainline denominations but rather, say, with those earnest, joyful people from the (evergrowing) "Full Gospel Fellowship Centre", down the road.

BTW, Gordon, how are your studies at USQ progressing ?

Regards,

Peter

- - - - - - - - -

Chris,

On the subject of "hijacking", I'm sorry for hijacking your thread !

Peter

[guru]

There are 2 really good Christian schools in Jakarta Indonesia.

SPH http://www.sph.edu/

and Sekeloh IPEKA
Perumahan Puri Indah Blok I
Jakarta Barat 11610
Tel. (62-21) 580-9003-6
Email [email protected] or [email protected]
W ebsite http://album.ipeka.net, http://www.ipeka.org/default.asp

The following is a job for IPEKA:

Great salary in US dollars (over $5000 in Aus $)
Free private apartment and other benefits
Respectful and motivated students
Located in secure, up-scale neighborhood

Advance Your Career! HSC English Coordinator

Excellent opportunity for the right individual to be Head of Department for English at a bilingual Christian school in Jakarta, Indonesia. We are looking for someone with at least 3-4 years of NSW HSC and/or Preliminary HSC experience who is detail-oriented regarding the implementation of the BOS syllabus. This person will coordinate instruction and expat teachers for grades 7-12, as well as teach Year 12 part-time. Monthly salary will be up to $4000 US dollars; package includes a private apartment near the school, airfare, medical, visa costs and membership in an exclusive sports club. Interested committed Christians can email your CV and an introductory letter to: [email protected]. We are also looking for other English teachers within the department and welcome all qualified applicants.


Position commences: 16-01-2006
Applications close: 15-11-2005

http://www.teachers.on.net/view/13267



There are jobs at both schools for Christian teachers, and there's probably jobs right now that aren't advertised.