Peoples Church gives school another year to move out
TORONTO, ON--The Peoples Church, one of Canada's most prominent evangelical churches, has backed off from plans to cut ties this fall with the private Christian school that bears its name.
While logistical challenges and red tape are the official reasons the school is giving out for its change of plans, the church acknowledges that growing frustration from parents and school staff are a factor.
The original plan-to have Peoples Christian Academy off of the church's adjoining property by September 2008-would effectively "destroy the school," says the church ministry's board, Peoples Ministries Inc. (PMI). It has extended the deadline for relocation by another year.
"The PMI board failed to realize the amount of work to move [the school]," says Kevin Yan, chair of the Peoples Christian Academy Transition Team which includes parents and senior faculty advisors at the school, pointing to the red tape of by-law changes and other complications.
"There is a great sense of comfort that Peoples Church oversaw the school, and to have that comfort lifted was disconcerting," says Yan, recognizing that "people were hurt" by how the decision to split was made and communicated.
The Academy, founded by evangelist Paul Smith in 1971, has active parent and alumni groups who have voiced concerns with the church's move to cut ties with the school.
"I was disappointed that instead of simply relocating the school, PMI had decided to cut ties with it," says Thomason Chan, who has two children at Peoples Christian Academy.
Though several parents expressed their frustration in letters to the editor when ChristianWeek initially reported the split, most weren't willing to be interviewed.
Chan says he doubts the sincerity of the church leadership's insistence that the split is in the best interests of both the church and the school. He suspects the board "is simply trying to close down the school.
"I would say that the leadership at the church was trying to mislead parents and possibly its congregations and community as well," he says.
Lionel Logan, an alumnus of the school and a former church employee, echoes Chan's sentiments.
"Whether as a parent, alumni or student, nobody other than the board was happy with the decisions, how it was done, and the justification [for the decision]," he says.
There are hints that alumni and parents may challenge the decision in court, and school staff having retained legal counsel to represent them in negotiating severance packages.
But it is unclear what legal action may be taken once Peoples Christian Academy Transition Team takes over from PMI as the employer of record.
Attempts by ChristianWeek to speak to the school leadership and staff were unsuccessful.
Craig Bryce, a member of the PMI board of directors, believes that shifting responsibility for the school to the transition team will address many of the concerns expressed by parents, alumni and church members.
The PMI board responded quickly to the concerns over the September 2008 deadline, agreeing to extend it until 2009.
"The PMI is working with the transition team on issues such as governance, finances, human resources, IT and operational issues," says Bryce. He says that while the PMI is aware of the concerns of parents, alumni and staff, the board believes they are helping birth a "new organization" at the school.
"We are not severing our relationship with the school. We hope to maintain a covenanting relationship," says Bryce.
Dear Readers:
ChristianWeek relies on your generous support. please take a minute and donate to help give voice to stories that inform, encourage and inspire.
Donations of $20 or more will receive a charitable receipt.Thank you, from Christianweek.
