Australian Student Christian Movement
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The Australian Student Christian Movement (ASCM), formerly the Australasian Student Christian Union, is a
History
Described as a "university within a university", the ASCM was formed in 1896, and is one of the oldest student groups in existence in Australia. Originally named the Australian Student Christian Union
The name changed gradually during the period between the wars to reflect the idea of movement rather than organisation. The title ASCM was formally adopted in the early 1930s.[1]
The ASCM was involved in the formation of the
Ethos
ASCM fosters
The ASCM sees itself as:
- Open … encouraging spiritual growth through understanding and tolerance of others’ viewpoints.
- Ecumenical … welcoming and affirming members from all denominations and valuing the rich diversity of Christian traditions and those of other faiths, while seeking unity in prayer and action.
- Active … seeking God’s desire for peace, justice and liberation from oppression throughout the Bible and life of Jesus, and responding to God’s call for conversion of self and transformation of society.
- Critical … taking the learning of students seriously and looking to theology, the sciences and the humanities to provide new perspectives on faith and a deeper understanding of truth and life.
Activism
The ASCM has had a long history of activism, which led to the movement being monitored by the
During
After the 1965
Today[
Affiliations
It is affiliated with the World Student Christian Federation and has close ties to the National Council of Churches in Australia, the Christian Conference of Asia and to the World Council of Churches.
It participated in the 37th General Assembly of the World Student Christian Federation in Berlin, Germany, in 2022.[citation needed]
ASCM is part of the World Student Christian Federation Asia-Pacific Region with a biannual Regional Committee Meeting and the Pacific Sub-region (Australia, Aotearoa/New Zealand with Fiji and Papua New Guinea not active.
Publications
ASCM published a journal called Crux in Melbourne between 1961 and 1972. It was bimonthly until 1970, and then quarterly until the end of its run.[3] As of 1965, the journal editors were John and Margaret Howe.[2]
Conflict
There is at times conflict with conservative
In the early years of the ASCM's history, conflict was often over issues of
Notable members
See also
- Christian ecumenism
- National Council of Churches in Australia
- World Student Christian Federation
Notes
- ^ a b c d R. Howe, A Century of Influence: The Australian Student Christian Movement, (Sydney: UNSW Press, 2009).
- ^ a b "Freedom Ride, 1965". National Museum of Australia. 23 October 2019. Archived from the original on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022. "No genteel silence"
- ISSN 0011-2178
- ^ "In Memory of Herb Feith". Encounter ABC Radio National. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 9 March 2003. Retrieved 11 July 2007.
Further reading
- Boyd, R. (2007) The Witness of the Student Christian Movement: 'Church ahead of the church' ATF Press, Hindmarsh.
- Howe, R. (2003) A Movement of Influence: The Australian Student Christian Movement in the 1930s, Spirit of Australia II Religion in Citizenship and National Life, pp. 86–96, ATF Press, Hindmarsh, South Australia
- Howe, R. (2001) The Australian Student Christian Movement and Women's Activism in the Asia-Pacific Region, 1890s-1920s, Australian Feminist Studies, Vol 16, No 36, pp. 311–323, Carfax Publishing Limited, Abingdon, United Kingdom
- Howe, R. (2001) "The SCM is Going to Hell" the Australian Student Christian Movement and the Emergence of the Evangelical Union in the Early 1930s, Proceedings of the Uniting Church Historical Synod of Victoria, Vol 8, No 1, July 2001, pp. 27–42, Uniting Church Historical Society, Synod of Victoria, Elsternwick, Victoria
- Howe, R. An Analysis of the Contribution of the Australian Student Christian Movement to Universities, Social and Political Movements and Internationally, Australian Research Council Small Grant
- Howe, R. (2009) A Century of Influence: The Australian Student Christian Movement 1896-1996 UNSW Press, Sydney.