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Do you feel that your sense of spirituality and/or Christianity have not found a place yet? Are you being told what to think and believe? SCM might be the place for you. SCM Aotearoa is a movement of students who have found that Christianity motivates them to make the world around them more just and peaceful.

One member said:

"My vision for SCM is that it will always be there as a small oasis of rationality, a place of sanctuary for people of faith of all traditions, sexualities, races, ages, intellectual abilities, and varying degrees of sense of humour in the midst of an ever-growing trend towards uncompromising fundamentalism which holds Jesus up as King of the small-minded."

The pages in this section give a flavour of the sorts of things that SCMers think and talk about.

SCM Aotearoa, which is affiliated to the World Student Christian Federation, is a movement which recognises the Māori people as tangata whenua of Aotearoa and accepts the Treaty of Waitangi as the basis of its constitution. Its aims are:

to understand the Christian faith, and develop our own spirituality.
to work locally for peace and justice from an ecumenical perspective, with specific reference to working against racism and sexism;
to recognise and support individuals and groups whose aims are consistent with those of SCM Aotearoa, and foster the links between such individuals and groups and international movements for liberation;
to contribute to the development of a relevant theology for Aotearoa.

Inclusive and open

All people are welcome; we believe our diversity is a gift to be celebrated. We recognise the importance of respect for an openness to others. We encourage spiritual growth through understanding and tolerance of others' viewpoints. SCM requires no adherence to a doctrinal statement.

We are inclusive of all people who wish to be inclusive themselves. To model this we are committed to consensus decision-making as we think that it builds community. We support participation by people marginalised by sexuality, health and gender.

Ecumenical

We welcome and affirm members from all denominations; we value the rich diversity of Christian traditions and those of other faiths, while seeking unity in prayer and action.
There is no statement of belief that members must adhere to.

Educational

SCM provides its members with opportunities to develop their own personal spirituality and theology. We also provide opportunities to exercise and develop leadership skills.

Radical

We believe faith and social justice cannot be separated - Christians must be engaged with contemporary theological, political and social issues.

We find God's desire for peace, justice and liberation from oppression throughout the Bible and in the life of Jesus. We seek to respond to God's call for conversion of self and transformation of society.

We interpret the 'Reign of God' to mean a just and peaceful society in the here and now.

Challenging

We believe that thinking through and questioning our faith ensures that it remains alive. We believe that Christian faith can stand the test of critical thought, in fact we believe this is the way to Christian maturity. It is not an easy way, sometimes involving a lot of risk, but ultimately that which is of value will remain and become even more important in our lives.

SCM seeks to support students in the quest for a deeper faith, encouraging critical thought by providing stimulation of new ideas, and providing a supportive community in which people can explore life and faith.

SCM has traditionally been a place where radical ideas get promoted. Causes that have been promoted through SCM have included: pacifism, anti-racism, Christian Socialism, Ecumenism, feminism and women's full participation in society and church, contextual theology, Queer liberation and the full participation of Bisexual, Lesbian, Gay and Transgender people in society and church, honouring the Treaty of Waitangi, liberation theology and the combination of almost anything with Port and chocolate!

Open-mindedness and diversity: We are a diverse group of people, and value that diversity. We encourage free thinking, and critical analysis of our world and society, in the light of the Gospel.
But, the Bible...?: There is so much that we could say about the Bible and its history. SCM chooses to have no doctrinal stance on the Biblical texts, but instead encourages members to make up their own minds.
Women, gender: These pages are in development.
Human Rights
Queer Christianity: For those of us who are transgendered and, or bisexual, lesbian or gay or who just want the fundamentalists to leave our friends alone!

Is SCM part of TSCF, Christian Union or Evangelical Union?

No. In the 1920-30s a small section of the NZSCM wanted to create a statement of doctrine/belief that everyone in the NZSCM would have to adhere to. When this idea was rejected on the ground of being against a spirit of inclusivity and openness, this smaller group left the NZSCM and formed the Inter-Varsity Fellowship of Evangelical Unions, the forerunner of the Tertiary Students Christian Fellowship (TSCF, www.tscf.org.nz).

This split happened worldwide. For one account from an evangelical perspective click here.