University status is not the end goal of Avondale’s story. It’s a God-given platform for a greater expression of its longstanding mission.
How do you summarise more than twenty years of a journey involving multiple administrators, church leaders and even governments? Avondale’s path, from a small mission school for Christian workers through to Australasian Missionary College and Avondale College, and on to full Australian University status, was never inevitable. It was achieved through generations of faith, sacrifice, scholarship, stewardship, prayer and providential openings.
The leadership team is clear on what that journey now requires of us: careful stewardship of identity. Becoming a university does not make Avondale less distinctly Christian or less committed to the Adventist Mission. “Christian education is a core mission”, Professor Coulson affirms. At the heart remains the integration of faith and learning in whole-person education, with a focus on developing character and a Christian worldview to prepare for vocation and service.
Understanding that the real product of this institution is not degrees. It’s people who have grounded themselves in values and critical thinking and have turned it into a purpose greater than themselves.
The responsibility this leadership team has inherited centres on recognition of providence, confident retention of our spiritual and missional DNA.
What enhances our purpose, as Malcolm notes, is “the centrality of our spiritual master plan; it’s the centrality of the partnership between church and university that is making things work.”
As a self-confessed amateur philosopher, Malcolm draws on his interpretation of Adventist education philosophy.
At Avondale’s core, the Redemptive power of God’s love is about creating a space, an opportunity to meet a thriving, loving God, which is at the core of our spiritual masterplan.
The classic Adventist statement still holds true: “True education is preparation for the joy of service now and a higher joy of service throughout eternity.”
For us, this is more than just a slogan; it’s the reason why Avondale was founded and why it continues. The product of the university is not degrees or rankings, although impressive, it’s about focusing on people - graduates who leave equipped intellectually, spiritually and practically to meet the needs of the world with a greater vision, as Malcolm puts it, “That there is true joy in service to others”.
It’s imperative to keep seeking and asking ourselves, what is the next chapter – what is God calling us to become?
One of the deepest needs of our world is loneliness; as a community, we can contribute to social cohesion and the repair of our communities. We are a small institution, but we have a community that, together, we can make an incredible difference. If we continue our purpose and research into health and well-being, strengthen service learning, and equip our leaders with tools to better achieve our church's mission, we will remain faithful to our calling.
Our graduates are unique. They have character and purpose, and they have put their trust in God. “It will be a terrible shame,” Malcolm says, “if we have not achieved everything that God could do through us.”
So be encouraged to think big. Act big and work with us as we try to make a difference in the world we live in. That is the Avondale that was. That is the Avondale that exists now. And that remains our calling going forward: for a greater vision of world needs.
- Aveline Adams
