Doctoral Thesis
Worship experiences in church schools: Towards a more effective and ethical model
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Murdoch University
2013
Abstract
This study, "Worship Experiences in Church Schools: Towards a More Effective and Ethical Model", is directed to re-assessing the concept of school worship in the light of the increasingly secularised population of schools sponsored in Western societies by Christian denominations; i.e. a population in which a significant proportion of attendees may not come from a consciously embraced background of religious faith or may belong to an alternative faith tradition.
The main issues addressed were: (1) What is the nature and purpose of worship in the church school context? (2) What place can it play in the life of the school? and (3) How should worship activities be conducted, if they are to continue to occupy a place in the life of the church school?
First, the relevance of this enquiry was established through a literature survey of thought and practice in some comparable countries, and an analysis of findings obtained from empirical studies of contemporary Australian youth. Second, an ethnographic enquiry using grounded theory research methods illuminated worship practices in nine denominationally sponsored schools in Western Australia, drawing upon both staff and student perceptions.
Third, the enquiry then sought to generate a model for the conduct of school worship consistent with a biblical view of Christian worship and with the educational and ethical parameters of the school context. To this end, issues of indoctrination, education and enfaithing were also considered, leading finally to the formulation of a set of guiding principles for conducting worship activities in church schools.
Details
- Title
- Worship experiences in church schools: Towards a more effective and ethical model
- Authors/Creators
- Anne Wright
- Contributors
- Brian Hill (Supervisor)Nancy Ault (Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Murdoch University; Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Identifiers
- 991005541065307891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Education
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Doctoral Thesis
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