From the Principal

IDENTITY MATTERS

Earlier this week we were able to host a conversation with our parents and community about the topic “Identity Matters”.

The public debate about identity has been guided by voices that have different agendas in line with their ideas as they relate to and inform the ‘true’ sense of identity according to a particular position, philosophy or ideology.

At Launceston Christian School we respect that there are often passionately held views about identity and respect the fact that these views matter.  As Christians, it is important that we are prepared to engage with these differing views with sensitivity and strive to understand the reasons for the views or others, especially if they differ from our own.  This is true regardless of where on the spectrum of views these views sit.

What is also important for those who have a Biblical worldview perspective on what God might have to say about identity and sexuality and gender, is to know and understand what God has to say about humanity in general.

Many evangelical Christians believe that God’s Word is true is every way.  At the heart of the gospel message is that we are all in need of the saving, redeeming and restoring work of Jesus Christ, God’s Son.  This was achieved for us through the mysterious and profound love that Jesus had for us by willingly taking our place for the punishment we deserved because of our sin. He did this through His sacrificial death on the cross and His resurrection to eternal life.  To this day I am still amazed by this truth revealed to me by God’s Holy Spirit and by faith that I believe.  This is beautifully articulated in John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

This faith in God then informs a Christian’s worldview about humanity, identity, sexuality, gender, sin, salvation, relationships, conflict resolution, etc, etc.  In fact, everything is now viewed through this lens of the Biblical worldview.

Which brings me to the point of what do we at LCS teach, model and expect when navigating this space about identity, gender and sexuality? 

At LCS we believe that God has created all things, including the beautiful design of male and female sexuality, as a good gift that reflects God’s ordered glory.  We therefore hold to a traditional Christian ethic concerning sex, marriage and sexuality, which recognizes the goodness of both female and male sexuality, marriage between a man and woman as God’s design for sexual expression, and the equal dignity and worth of a life of chastity. 

We believe the complementary realities of ‘maleness’ and ‘femaleness’, in both their Sex and Gendered dimensions, are not simply social or subjective constructs, but are ultimately anchored in the biological realities of the created order itself – a creation declared by God to be ‘very good’.

With very rare exceptions, we therefore understand Sex to be overwhelmingly binary in nature.   Gender – while subject to greater cultural fashions and fluctuations – is connected to, and arises from, these visible and biological facts of Sex and accordingly we believe that God intended that our Gender be the same as our Sex designated at birth. Each individual is created by God as an integrated person, body and soul together, with capacity for physical and spiritual life, which is experienced through relationships in this God-created world. As created persons, made in the image of God, we each reflect aspects of God’s character and nature, though the effects of the fall may confuse, distort or damage this reflection of God’s goodness and perfection.

Launceston Christian School therefore teaches that both Sex and Gender are primarily gifts to be received rather than identities to be constructed.  Neither should be regarded as fluid and changeable attributes, nor seen primarily through the lens of individual choice. We recognise and honour the wisdom and beauty of maleness and femaleness as gifted to each person at birth and as God’s ideal for human flourishing.

While we will not pressure students or parents to accept these convictions, we will continue to publicly affirm, teach and celebrate them – including terms such as ‘mother’, ‘father’, ‘daughter’, ‘son’, ‘sister’ etc. 

I am the first to acknowledge that these things are really tricky to navigate as we care for each other.

When caring for students with a diagnosis of Gender Dysphoria or students with significant Gender Questioning our task as a school is to integrate a range of duties, some of which exist in tension with each other. For instance, we are to show love and care for all people, and especially the vulnerable.  We need similarly to exercise our love for all our students and families – the majority of whom have selected Launceston Christian School precisely because of the clarity of its Christian distinctives.  We are called to honour our civic authorities through our submission to their laws.  We are also clear that our highest duty is to live with a clear conscience before God.

In addition, we need to preserve an overall tone to our community life which is not reduced to policy positions on contentious matters. Our desire as a school is to ensure that we live out the value of ‘caring for others’, giving prominence to the themes of love, inclusion, generosity of spirit and welcome in the way we speak and interact with students, and especially those encountering difficult circumstances of any kind.

Launceston Christian School’s firm approach to bullying includes any bullying that targets a person’s Sex, sexual orientation or Gender. All students are entitled to be free from harassment or bullying. We are aware that students with significant Gender Questioning and those students with a diagnosis of Gender Dysphoria may face additional risks in this regard. 

Where necessary, additional training will be made available to staff regarding Christian approaches to pastoral care for students experiencing pain or distress related to issues of Gender.

We recognise that the exploration of Gender during adolescence can be a difficult or painful experience for young people. This is particularly so for those whose Gender and Sex feel utterly mismatched. We acknowledge the pain of this, and endeavour to work with a pastoral heart, and with much grace and love, to support those whose experience of their Gender is painful or difficult.

In balancing the needs of the individual and the broader student body, the general approach of LCS will be one of ‘watchful waiting’. The goal of this plan will be to give time, space and support for the young person as they work though questions of gender identity. This approach is supported by data showing that for many young people, distress related to gender identity tends to subside and resolve by late adolescence.

Our hope for every LCS student is that whatever distress they may experience at whatever stage of their journey for whatever reason, that this distress would reduce, over time, as they grow into their God-given identity. 

Post Script

These are incredibly difficult and challenging matters to navigate for both the individuals concerned, their families, and the school. We want to remain true to our understanding of the Scriptures and offer genuine care and support for the young people entrusted to us. 

 Father’s Day

I’m taking a bit of cheats way out to share some thoughts about Father’s Day.

When I Googled ‘Father’s Day Devotions’ this was the first webpage that came up.  Upon reading the 5 links, I sensed that each has a different application.  Because we are at different life stages, family structures, ages, cultures, etc I thought it may be helpful to reflect on one or all of these short 1-minute reads.

I hope that our school families will be able to spend some time honouring the mentors, dads, significant adults in their lives and be able to give thanks to God for who and what these special people mean to us.

Blessings AB