Building a Hospitable Christian School Community: An Exploration of Theological Concepts That Inspire Dealing with Special Needs

Current efforts toward inclusion in education have resulted in a strong emphasis on personalized learning. This article argues that biblical images of congregations and dealing with needs can inspire moves toward a hospitable community life in schools. Biblical keywords help us imagine how inclusive school practices can be shaped. Attention is given to safety, care and mercy, equivalence, justice, gifts, and carrying the load of others. Based on a theological exploration, the author calls for a number of moves: from the individual to the community, from instrumentalism to realism, from access to the school climate, from organization to pedagogy, and from risk to trust, as well as widening the lens from pupils to staff. A definition of hospitable education is proposed that stresses the equal importance of building communities in classrooms and among staff. For both parties, participants should influence the school climate by training themselves to appreciate a diversity of gifts and to be attentive to all kinds of needs.