Hillsong's Shine School Program

A critique on Hillsong's Shine School Program:

The Christian evangelist organisation "Hillsong" has developed a program which is being delivered in schools nationwide. The program statement released on 26th July 2008 claims that it is non-religious; delivered by qualified staff from the areas of youth work, community work and welfare; does not reinforce gender stereotypes; and uses "personal care" topics merely to break down barriers for the discussion of issues such as peer pressure, self-esteem, bullying and other challenges of adolescence. This paper provides a critique of these claims and a caution in support of the legitimate concerns of parents and educators about the potential for facilitators to influence students towards their religious beliefs and recruit them to their organisations. Of equal concern is the program content and its implicit endorsement (despite claims to the contrary) of narrow and potentially debilitating feminine stereotypes.