Lutheran church hails plan for religious education

By JIMMY KALEBE
CHURCHES in the country have an obligation to teach religious studies in schools and Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (ELCPNG) sees that as important in the life of a young person.
Lutheran Evangelism Department representative Rev Elymas Bakung, speaking at the 13th graduation of Nawaeb High School, said it was good that the government was considering religious education in schools.
Bakung said the Evangelical Lutheran church had been a great partner of the Papua New Guinea government in working to make education accessible to everyone.
“The philosophy of ELC saw the word of God as a foundation to the spiritual life of a person and teaching it in schools is the highest priority in preparation of a person’s life with God,” he said.
Bakung told the graduates that knowing about God was important in every person’s life.
“The stage at which you are at now is still at baby stage and you are no way close to reaching your goals and making them real,” he said.
“Do not rush into doing things that will become barriers in your learning at the next level of your education.”
Bakung called on churches to work with the Education Department to see that religious education was taught in schools .