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The Revd. Deacon Polly M. Bowen
Father Daniel and I are meeting with a small group of clergy these days, to study and discuss a book called Raising the Roof, by Alice Mann. It’s a book about the joys and the problems of parish growth, and the education, discernment and planning that go into a smooth transition to a parish that serves a greater number of communicants. At the present time I have read only about a third of the book, but on page 47 I found a sentence that blew me away:
“We know that unless we are a teaching church, we are not
a true church . . . “
Wow! Of course there are many words that could be substituted for the word “teaching” in that sentence: “ . . . unless we are a worshipping church, or a welcoming church.” What about “a praying church,” “a caring church” or even “an evangelizing church?” There are all sorts of areas that could be (and are) addressed in the book, areas such as stewardship, pastoral care, youth ministry, outreach, and on and on – you know what they all are.
But my ongoing passion is for Christian Education, so the
Over a decade ago (May 1990) the magazine Christian Century published an article entitled “What Makes Faith Mature? By Eugene C. Roehlkepartain. In his article he cited a study conducted by the Minneapolis-based Search Institute and funded by the Lilly Endowment. The study determined that “effective Christian education is the most powerful single influence congregations have on maturity of faith.” (496) Six factors were identified that, when present in congregations, increase faith maturity and congregational loyalty. Christian Education has twice the impact of the other five. The six factors were described as:
1. The congregation has an effective formal Christian education program, including Sunday school classes, Bible studies, adult forums, family events, music and drama programs and new member classes.
2. Members perceive that their congregation encourages questions, challenges thinking and expects learning.
3. The congregation successfully recruits members to volunteer to help people in need.
4. Members perceive that their Sunday worship is of high quality.
5. Members see their congregation as warm and friendly.
6. Members personally experience other members’ care and concern. (497)
Some significant “educational myths” were noted in the article. Among them was, first of all, the myth that Christian education is a ministry for children. I am happy to say that I truly believe we at St. Matthias have grown beyond this attitude, recognizing that Christian education is a lifelong process. A second myth was that good teaching involves transferring information. Well, of course, but ask any teacher if that is enough; she will tell you about fostering the emergence of insight and understanding, of guiding students in building on their knowledge from shared community and experience. An incredible third myth is that Christian education is separate from the rest of congregational life, rather than being the center of energy for everything else the congregation does.
This third myth is one that I would like to see us banish from our midst. I believe we are well on the way, but we still have work to do. I have asked Bill Schultz to take on the task of directing the job. He will head a Task Force on Education for the parish, seeking to locate the rough spots and the thin spots in our “teaching package,” to identify ways in which we can improve, and to guide the implementation of a plan for e3ducational growth.
One definition of Church is “a People of God on a mission of evangelization.” In order to fulfill that calling, we need to be a teaching church. Bill will need your assistance in this venture. Watch for his announcements, and please volunteer your help. Together we can make St. Matthias Church into a
Shalom and salaam,
Your sister Polly
