Would it be appropriate for a Catholic to teach in a Seventh Day Adventist school?

[ReturningToRome]

I am a musician looking for work and I may have the opportunity to teach music in an Adventist elementary school. I expressed my faith to the principal, assuming I would not be qualified, but he indicated this would not be an impediment, only wanting to have someone in the position who would share their passion for Jesus Christ with the students, as well as teach music if course. I know Adventism is Christian, but of course not Catholic. Any advice?

 

[Nicea325]

I am a musician looking for work and I may have the opportunity to teach music in an Adventist elementary school. I expressed my faith to the principal, assuming I would not be qualified, but he indicated this would not be an impediment, only wanting to have someone in the position who would share their passion for Jesus Christ with the students, as well as teach music if course. I know Adventism is Christian, but of course not Catholic. Any advice?

Personally I would not take it,unless I really,really needed the job. I think other SDA’s may start comments because you are not SDA’s and cause problems in the long run. Only my 2 pennies.

 

[MarysRoses]

Hi

I’m a former SDA, now Catholic.

You should look into exactly what your duties will require. Will you be required to provide music for worship services during school time or for outside of school activities? Adventists have some Christian beliefs, but they also have some Adventist doctrines that are very anti-catholic. Contributing to their worship programs or evangelistic outreach programs would be inappropriate, imho, even if as a paid musician. If a visitor to their program know you, it might appear that as a catholic, you are endorsing their services, either approving of them or considering conversion yourself. This might encourage them to become more involved to the detriment of their faith.

Which brings me to my second thought. I was a member of various local Seventh-day Adventist congregations for many years. I participated in their outreach programs and schools as well. If you teach in their school, you WILL be recruited for conversion. Expect invitations to worship, “social” events, and inclusion in all kind of activities. The groups practice what I call “love bombing”. Anything to pull you into the group.

Adventists are like Mormons, Jehovah’s witnesses, etc in their drive to convert others to their particular fringe brand of Christianity.

Feel free to ask me any questions you wish, either in thread or privately.

MarysRoses

 

[pablope]

I am a musician looking for work and I may have the opportunity to teach music in an Adventist elementary school. I expressed my faith to the principal, assuming I would not be qualified, but he indicated this would not be an impediment, only wanting to have someone in the position who would share their passion for Jesus Christ with the students, as well as teach music if course. I know Adventism is Christian, but of course not Catholic. Any advice?

If it is just to teach Music, I would have no problems. But if they ask some other extra curriculars, like teach service music, I would have second thoughts. Clarify, as some has said.

If you are not comfortable with the job, trust in the Lord that something better will come your way.

 

[thequeen]

Please do not take the position because they can be very anti catholic.

 

[guanophore]

I am a musician looking for work and I may have the opportunity to teach music in an Adventist elementary school. I expressed my faith to the principal, assuming I would not be qualified, but he indicated this would not be an impediment, only wanting to have someone in the position who would share their passion for Jesus Christ with the students, as well as teach music if course. I know Adventism is Christian, but of course not Catholic. Any advice?

You don’t want to put yourself in a position to teach or support the dissemination of heresies. I will pray that the Lord will give you peace in your decision. If this is not the right situation, may He open the door to one that is.

 

[ReturningToRome]

Thanks all. You speak with a fairly unified voice, and I appreciate your prayers and concern for me. I left a position in the Lutheran church (Missouri Synod) recently -June-having reverted and realizing I could no longer say I would uphold the Lutheran Confessions. And things did come up with the students when I felt I could not give a fully Catholic response, which bothered me. So I’m pretty sure I would find myself in that position again.
On the other hand I have close protestant family members and friends, and I acknowledge that Christ is also at work in their lives, and I ache for the disunity in the Body of Christ. But I also know that dumming down our doctrinal differences to find the lowest common denominator will not bring about true unity.
The fact that this job presented itself to me while I am looking for work in music and not finding any of course caught my attention. And even though it’s not many hours and a distance to travel, I’ve considered it would be better than nothing. I fully expected the principal would politely excuse himself when I told him I am Catholic, especially considering the tone of the official SDA hiring docs. Then I had a thought that although I am reluctant to pursue the job, perhaps Christ would want me in that situation so I could witness to the beauty of the Catholic Church. But I must admit that I’m not doing a very good job of that even with my family. I am not concerned about being proselytized - they would have no success there.
But being in the position of being muzzled, or tacitly encouraging others to embrace error - those are my greatest concerns.

 

[guanophore]

I will continue to pray that God will shine His Light before your steps.

 

[Angelic_Rose]

I work in a Catholic school bur prior to teaching there I was in a non-religious school and it was difficult for me. It was private, so I could talk about God if students brought it up but I was very uncomfortable about it since many of the students were Jewish and I did not want to cause any drama. I began to realize that the school was a poor fit for me and, through God’s blessing truly, they laid me off due to low enrollment after my second year.

At the Catholic school I work at now, the students often sing religious songs, so you might have to teach songs based on the beliefs of this religious group. I’m not sure if you would come across any doctrinal conflicts in songs, but you still might come across problems in other areas.

We have a lovely Jewish lady as our art teacher at my school and she has to sit through all the prayer services and Masses that we have. She looks more bored than anything else but I think I would personally be uncomfortable of worshiping in a school in a way that really isn’t based on my beliefs. I have no issue of doing it outside of school but when children are involved I want to set a good example.

 

[Hello_All]

pls do not take the job.the only reason,i guess,the principal didnt reject you is for fear of being sued for discrimination. i have two ex sda friends,who informed me that they were not allowed to have friends or acquaintances, who were not from their faith.they were also made to believe that the pope was the anti christ and the cc was the whore of babylon.also,i couldnt understand part of their doctrine.they are not allowed to wear any jewelry,including watch,but people that i know ,whoa re still sda members ,wear very expensive shoes,bags, like louis vitton . they shop too at high end stores ,like neiman marcus. i just couldnt see the logic,behind it.

 

[Bezant]

I am a musician looking for work and I may have the opportunity to teach music in an Adventist elementary school. I expressed my faith to the principal, assuming I would not be qualified, but he indicated this would not be an impediment, only wanting to have someone in the position who would share their passion for Jesus Christ with the students, as well as teach music if course. I know Adventism is Christian, but of course not Catholic. Any advice?

I’ll admit I’m biased, because I can barely tolerate the snobbery (there it is) that seems rampant in the Adventist community, BUT –

I would check this matter legally, and perhaps what other administrators would think about your employment there.