Called to Teach, Called to Grow from Fall 2008 Ideas!
...Regardless of the setting, start any process with the spiritual disciplines of prayer, Bible study, and discernment. The leadership of the church, asking God to be the guide, discerns the educational needs. They explore Scriptures about making disciples and how the body of Christ, through God's plan for the church, is gifted for this special purpose. They ask God to reveal any persons who should be approached and to strengthen those who will invite people to serve. They ask God to prepare those who will receive the invitation to prayerfully consider the opportunities available, allowing any future teachers among them to answer God's call. Studying and praying together, a spiritual ethos for this important process is established from the beginning. Instead of finding bodies to fill slots through enlistment and recruitment, the emphasis becomes about God calling persons with special gifts for a particular time and place.
The entire congregation is included in this spiritual discernment exercise. Covenant cards are sent each year to the current teachers, asking if they feel called to return to their classroom, if they desire a new place of service, or if they need to take a sabbatical. The church honors their requests. Opportunities to serve are then communicated honestly and openly to the congregation. Position descriptions are made available so that expectations are clear and questions about the commitment can be answered. The search committee approaches potential new teachers, requesting that they pray about their call into this covenant relationship of making disciples. This system, focusing on call and covenant, allows the Holy Spirit to work in the life of the church.
When teaching positions are filled, celebrate and revise the educational ministry information. Those charged with the task of approaching individuals do so boldly - without guilt trips, wringing of hands, or arm-twisting. It is understood and expected that God calls the faithful when the church faithfully issues the invitation to serve. Let's be honest: overcoming past reservations and allowing God's Spirit to work may be the biggest obstacle in the process of calling teachers and leaders. Stepping back and welcoming God into the process is refreshing and renewing for everyone.
When calling to teach, it is equally important to emphasize that the call is also an invitation to grow. Those in educational ministry give testimony that the teacher always learns much more than the student, but congregations should express and exhibit that a call to teach is an invitation for faith and personal development. Make certain to offer basic teacher training in such topics as understanding the learner, creating a welcoming environment, preparing for your students, asking questions that build conversation, and planning interactive lessons.
Cultivate lifelong learning for experienced teachers by arranging a connection to a class that they will miss by teaching another group. Ask leaders and members of this other class to keep experienced teachers posted on topics of study throughout the year and invite them to join in special gatherings. Offer a pastor or master teacher to lead Bible study and prayer time that is especially for the teachers and leaders of the church, nurturing the spirits of those who serve. Saying "yes" to teaching should not be a detour in the spiritual journey, but the continuation of the good work God is proclaiming through these gifted volunteers...
Candace Hill is the coordinator of Christian education, and can be reached at (888) 728-7228, ext. 5166
