A More Visible Presence: Agenda for Christian Teachers

Abstract

As a prolific commentator and writer, and former editor of the Journal of Christian Education, Prof. Brian Hill, B.A., B.Ed. (West Aust.), M.A. (Sydney), Ph.D. (Illinois), F.A.C. E., has made a substantial contribution to Christian perspectives on education. In the selection process for articles for this issue, the comment “it must have something of Brian's!” was echoed, but the next question was “which one of the almost 40 substantive articles of his which have appeared in this journal since 1960 (vol. 3)?”! This article has been selected because of a concern which this journal has consistently championed throughout its 42 year history: the importance and challenges of the Christian presence in formal, secular teaching contexts. In addition, many of the issues raised also apply to Christians teaching in non-state (or independent) schools. The article, published in July 1982 (Papers 74, pp. 21–31), is based on a public address delivered at a meeting of the Australian Teachers' Christian Fellowship in Sydney in June 1981. By request when it was published, it retains the first person form of address. Brian Hill was the founding Professor of Education at Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia, a position he retires from at the end of this year. Although he moves soon into formal retirement, we look forward to continuing to be recipients of his rich Christian educational insights.