“Once opened, this book is hard to put down. It weaves a narrative of Adventist education in Australia and the Solomon Islands, together with data collected from teachers in Adventist schools about their perception of mission, juxtaposed against data from Adventist teachers in the North American and Trans European Divisions of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is a thought-provoking and essential read.” Beverly Christian, Head of School of Education, Avondale University College.“Readers will find this statistical research and analysis not only stimulating, but it will challenge them to take steps to rectify concerning trends and to resource areas that are working well. Having a happy, healthy and committed teaching workforce is vital to keeping Adventist Education distinctly that – Adventist education.” Glenn Townend, President, South Pacific Division of Seventh-day Adventists“What ‘mission’ looks like changes through the generations. However the mission of Adventist education remains the same. This book, Education as Preparation for Eternity, identifies how Adventist education holds on to its core mission in an ever-changing world.” Jean Carter, Associate National Director – Quality Assurance, Adventist Schools Australia.

The questions addressed in this book include:

• What do teachers in Seventh-day Adventist Schools in Australia and the Solomon Islands believe is their mission?

• What was the original motivation that led to the setting-up of Adventist schools in Australia and the Solomon Islands?

• What aspirations do the current administrators have for Adventist schools?

• What congruence exists between the original motivation, the current aspirations of administrators, and the beliefs of teachers about their mission?

Adventist schools today are, in-the-main, funded independently of their parent churches and have substantial administrative autonomy. The research reported here provides evidence that teachers in Adventist schools in both countries hold views on the mission of their school that accord well with the goals of both the pioneers and the current education administrators.

This book will be of interest to:

• Teachers, school administrators, church administrators, church pastors, and parents of students attending Adventist schools;

• Academics interested in faith-based school systems;

• Academics interested in the role of institutions in a growing church.