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Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780819228819 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Church Publishing, Incorporated |
| Publication date: | 11/01/2013 |
| Pages: | 256 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.60(d) |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
The Episcopal Christian Educator's Handbook
By Sharon Ely Pearson
Church Publishing Incorporated
Copyright © 2013 Sharon Ely PearsonAll rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-8192-2881-9
CHAPTER 1
CHRISTIAN ED STUFF
WHAT IS CHRISTIAN FORMATION?
Christian formation is the lifelong journey of growing in faith. With Christ as our companion, we are always on a life-changing journey in our relationships with one another and in our encounter with the Living God. It involves liturgy and worship, service and witness, instruction (scripture and tradition) in connection with education (application to daily life). Formation occurs when the whole community is engaged together, as well as individually, as we discern who God is calling us to be—no matter what our age is. It is holistic and experiential in nature.
As Episcopalians, it is realized in how we live out our Baptismal Covenant. Through prayer, worship, study, fellowship, and mission we can experience spiritual growth in our lives, becoming reconciled to God in Christ as well as our neighbor. As Christian formation leaders, we can encourage others to participate in a life of prayer and study as well as community gatherings that support us in our lifelong journey of faith.
Be prepared. Despite the term "Christian formation" being around for years, you'll still find yourself having to explain it over and over again. Quickly learn your elevator speech to respond at a moment's notice.
SPIRITUAL FORMATION VS. EDUCATION
In the twenty-first century there is a new paradigm for ministry with children and youth. Moving away from the "banking model" in which the church's education mission was to fill the minds of students with correct answers about God, we understand that a spiritual formation model embraces the whole congregation—children, youth, and adults—as partners in learning a life of faith that is ongoing.
The church's educational mission is to provide an environment that cultivates an intimacy with God through one's mind as well as one's heart that continues through the lifespan. Children and youth are recognized as already having a relationship with God, experiencing the holy in their daily lives. Teachers are spiritual guides, pointing to the presence of God through mentoring, discernment, and role modeling. Spiritual practices are experienced via prayer, service, discussion, storytelling, journaling, retreats, and other ways.
Faith is an ongoing process and relationship with God, through Jesus Christ.
WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN EDUCATOR?
Educators serves as directors of Christian education, directors of children's, youth, and/or adult ministries, seminary faculty, day school directors and teachers, resource center directors, church camp directors, as well as a variety of other educational ministries. The ministry of education encompasses roles that help to shape an educational vision, establish goals, evaluate, plan and arrange programs, call leaders, and define and select curricula.
A great Christian educator:
* engages people of all ages and helps them see themselves as Christ's beloved;
* is one who reflects Christ's beliefs and actions;
* is more concerned with what the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, hands, and heart know than what is understood; they are patient because they know, share, and live waiting on God;
* has a clear sense of their own spirituality and joy in awakening the spirituality of others;
* is a great storyteller who can help people of all ages be with God rather than know about God;
* has a sense of humor and the patience to meet, greet, and engage with all sorts of interesting people under circumstances you'd never dream of outside of church—the supermarket, post office, Department of Motor Vehicles, and even jury duty.
THE CALL TO BE A CHRISTIAN EDUCATOR
Teachers are called, first by God, through Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:19, 20a)
Through Jesus Christ, God has promised to be our constant companion in the task of teaching. (Matthew 28:20b)
When we were baptized into the household of God, we were given the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38–39)
The Holy Spirit blesses those who teach, its "bearers," with the fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22–23)
Teachers commit themselves to being God's saints: to showing their love for God by serving others—in this case, the children, youth, and adults who take part in Christian education. (Mark 9:36–37)
Teachers help members and friends of the church to fulfill the vows made at baptism—to teach and nurture and love those who are growing in the faith. These are the promises God's people have made for generations. (Psalm 78:5–7)
DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Christian education is not the responsibility of any one person or committee. Rather, it is a task for every member of the congregation. In his or her own way each person should supply the needed resources and attend to necessary functions. The professional person hired for Christian educational ministries should not be expected to assume the responsibilities of others in the church: clergy, parents, teachers, congregational leaders, participants, etc. Instead, he or she brings trained skill to the church's educational ministry. The director of Christian education (DCE) works with the clergy and with the people of the church, and they, in turn, work with the DCE to accomplish the congregation's overall educational task.
Specific duties usually fall into several categories, including:
Teaching
* Work with young people alongside other teachers, advisors, and leaders.
* Call volunteers for teaching.
* Design and implement teacher training.
* Assume special seasonal planning: Christmas pageant, Lenten and Advent programs, Vacation Bible School (VBS), confirmation, baptism preparation, etc.
* Provide resources for teachers: supplies, materials, curricula, articles, etc.
* Integrate education programs with other formation areas: worship, outreach, mission, pastoral care, stewardship, etc.
Administration
* Maintain a data base of children, youth, and families.
* Communicate with participants, parents, and the congregation following the church's policies and procedures.
* Be an advisor to the Christian Education Committee for selecting curricula and other policy and programming decisions.
* Consult with leaders who have responsibility for formation programs and activities.
* Consult with the clergy and staff regarding Christian education policies and training.
Personal Growth and Development
* Continue education and training in such areas as Safe Church, anti-racism, educational theory, and theology via diocesan offerings or other workshops.
* Read journals, magazines, and new publications.
DIRECTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRIES
As with a DCE, the youth minister is not a pied piper called to have teenagers follow them so others need not be involved. You don't need to be a tech geek or pop music fan, but you need to know how and what youth are connected to and with. Responsibilities often fall into similar categories as those of the DCE, with specific focus on young people ages twelve to eighteen.
Teaching
* Work with young people in the congregation alongside other advisors and leaders.
* Assume any special seasonal responsibilities that may be assigned: worship services, preaching, mission trips, Confirmation, retreats, service and outreach projects.
* Integrate education programs with other areas: worship, outreach, mission, pastoral care, stewardship, etc.
Administration
* Maintain contact with parents.
* Consult with leaders who have responsibility for children's and adult education programs.
* Consult with the clergy and staff regarding Christian education policies and training.
* Provide communication to youth, parents, and the church in general on a regular basis.
Extra Duties
* Participate in, support, and contribute to diocesan, provincial, and church-wide programs as appropriate.
* Attend events that youth may be involved with in the community: school concerts and plays, sports events, etc.
Personal Growth and Development
* Continue education and training in such areas as Safe Church, anti-racism, educational theory, and theology via diocesan offerings or other workshops.
* Read journals, magazines, and new publications.
* Network with colleagues.
YOU'VE GOT THE JOB!
Once you have a position description—use it! Build relationships with other staff and develop allies to support you. Don't forget to be an advocate for yourself!
* Obtain a letter of agreement that specifies hours, salary, benefits, continuing education, and an annual review. Request a title that explains your position.
* Document your hours and what you do in that time.
* Get business cards.
* Dress as a professional.
* Be intentional about establishing relationships with other staff members. Build collegiality and trust.
* Begin meeting persons in the congregation. Call key members to meet for lunch or coffee.
* Attend meetings, even those you are not required to attend, in order to introduce yourself and get to know other leaders in the congregation.
* Make yourself available. Hiding in your office will not help build relationships.
* Form a Christian education committee of eight to ten people (with at least one strong supporter and a vestry representative) if one does not already exist.
* Keep church leadership informed of your work.
* Inventory the territory. You are as responsible for space as you are for people. Go through old files. Make a list of your equipment. Snoop around the classrooms to see what has been used (or unused).
NEW GIRL (OR GUY) IN TOWN
For youth ministers in particular, it is helpful to establish relationships within the local community outside of the church building.
* Become acquainted with the leaders and resources of your deanery, convocation, or diocese.
* Call churches in your area to learn whether they have an educator or youth minister and get to know them.
* Call the principals of the schools your youth attend. Ask if you can make an appointment to meet them and observe classes.
* Go to school events, sports games, dramatic productions, and open houses to be aware of the places and people that are important to your congregation.
* Establish relationships with local social service agencies. They will come in handy when it comes time to plan a service project.
* If there is a college or university near you, get in touch with their campus ministry chaplain.
* Participate in workshops and education events offered by your diocese.
* Learn how you can get your youth involved with other youth groups or diocesan events.
THE 911
This should be the first thing you figure out. There will be a time you set off the church alarm—either in the sacristy, the office, or the whole building. It will happen when you are the only person around.
To prepare for such an event:
* Get the code tattooed on an accessible (but hidden) body part.
* Make sure the phone number that the security company has as a backup is not your home phone; you don't want those late-night calls.
* Call the security company before they call the fire or police department.
* Find out the "secret, secret password" that the security company will ask you. See above.
Instead of the typical alarm system, you may want to suggest to your property committee what is becoming a practice in the Church of England—installing movement sensors that are hidden in spires and finials. The alarms flash blue lights and trigger a booming voice that takes intruders by surprise, warning them that security guards are on their way. There's nothing like the voice of God to scare folks off.
HOW TO CREATE A DREAM TEAM
Gone are the days (hopefully) when ministries with children, youth, and adults are segregated into their own little fiefdoms. Working in partnership, youth leaders, Sunday school teachers, and adult mentors can collaborate and support one another in providing one seamless voice of advocacy for all ages of formation.
When planning out the program calendar, consult with one another. Work on your budgets together so that youth, children, adults, mission trips, Vacation Bible School, and the Christmas pageant aren't pitted against each other when it comes to budget requests sent to the finance committee and vestry.
After all, children will "feed" into the youth program, and a solid ministry to youth will grow future (and present) leaders of the congregation.
If you're able, outside of whatever staff meeting all of you might attend, gather regularly over coffee (or some other libation) to share ideas, compare notes, grumble to one another about the latest fiasco someone is complaining about, or simply get to know one another more.
Don't divide and conquer—unite and build up the Body of Christ!
MANY PARTS, BUT ONE BODY
Try not to fall prey to the One-Eared Mickey Mouse model of ministry. It looks like it sounds—a big circle (the church) with another smaller circle (your youth group or church school) that touch but do not overlap. It is a simple drawing that asks: Are youth (or children) treated like a real part of the church?
Characteristics of churches where this model does not exist include youth in every aspect of community. Youth are encouraged and invited to serve on committees and boards. Not only are youth invited, they are also listened to and their input is welcomed and sought. Teenagers are smart and know when they are actually wanted and listened to.
In these churches, all ages are included in planning worship. Worship is about the whole of Christ's body connecting together and offering praise and thanks. In many churches it is the only time all age groups are together. Churches that break away from the One-Eared Mickey Mouse make sure that worship is designed with all members in mind. The heart of the issue of moving children and youth from outside to inside is to make them feel cared for and important. That's important for any group in church.
BUT WE ALWAYS HAD SUNDAY SCHOOL!
No we didn't. Sunday school did not begin with Adam and Eve reading Bible stories to Cain and Abel. Jesus didn't hold a Torah School for little children either. Where did this practice come from?
Sunday school didn't begin until the 1800s. Robert Raikes, a devout Anglican layman and newspaper publisher in Glouster, England established a school in "Soot Alley" for poor children of the city as part of his efforts at prison reform in 1803. The purpose was to teach working children the rudiments of learning (reading and math) on Sunday, their free day. And of course, the Bible was a primary tool for teaching. No separation of church and state back then!
Sunday school associations were formed to carry on the work and the movement found its fullest expression in the United States, beginning in Philadelphia in 1824 with the Sunday School Society. It spread to the frontier (west of the Appalachian Mountains) with readers, song books, Bibles, and other materials in saddlebags, making Sunday school an established part of each pioneer village at an early stage of its development.
Its roots were with the concern of social uplift (personal hygiene, literacy, and personal morality), evangelization of the unsaved, or the education of believers in the faith. Lots of changes have occurred since then, but this is enough of a history lesson. Toothbrush in one hand, Bible in the other!
NEEDS VS. WANTS
Evaluating and selecting curricular resources may be one of the most important tasks of a Christian educator (besides being a role model and spiritual guide). Each congregation is different with its own needs and desires—one size does not fit all! Remember that what they want is not necessarily what they need.
It is important for more than one person to evaluate and choose a curriculum, whether it is for children, youth, or adults. A committee should be formed that includes clergy, Christian education director or administrator, parents, and teachers who provide educational leadership. If materials for youth are being considered, there should be at least two youth also involved.
Mission
* What is your congregation's mission statement or vision?
* How can curriculum support it?
Bible
* What are the biblical needs of your congregation?
* Are members familiar with the Bible and key stories or is basic instruction needed?
* Is there a desire to integrate faith with daily living?
Priorities
* What is most important ...
* Gospel-based, outreach- and mission–focused, and/or worship-centered?
* Doctrinal teachings and creedal statements that reflect the Episcopal Church?
* Communication for linking home and church?
* Ease of use: lesson plans, preparation time, and age appropriate content?
* Aesthetics: quality of materials, artwork, website, music, layout of lesson?
* Sociological: roles of people, racial inclusiveness and diversity, historical perspectives and accuracy?
Teachers
* Are your teachers experienced or new?
* What support do they need for teaching the curriculum?
Attendance
* What are the attendance patterns?
* What are the implications of quarterly, weekly, or seasonal units of study?
EXPLICIT AND IMPLICIT
We often understand curriculum in a narrow sense, seeing it only as a set of materials—the books for teachers and students. It is more accurate to speak of these as curricular materials and resources, recognizing that they are only part of the whole curriculum for education in the church.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from The Episcopal Christian Educator's Handbook by Sharon Ely Pearson. Copyright © 2013 Sharon Ely Pearson. Excerpted by permission of Church Publishing Incorporated.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Table of Contents
Introduction xi
Christian Ed Stuff 1
What Is Christian Formation? 2
Spiritual Formation vs. Education 3
What Is a Christian Educator? 4
The Call to Be a Christian Educator 5
Director of Christian Education 6
Director of Youth Ministries 8
You've Got the Job! 10
New Girl (or Guy) in Town 11
The 911 12
How to Create a Dream Team 13
Many Parts, but One Body 14
But We Always Had Sunday School! 15
Needs vs. Wants 16
Explicit and Implicit 18
What Is The Curriculum? 19
Types of Curriculum 20
How to Plan the Year 21
The Church School Teacher 22
Rethinking Recruitment 23
How to Call Volunteers 24
How to Nurture Those in the Trenches 26
We Need S'more Teachers 27
How to Evaluate a Resource 28
How to Assess Your Space 29
How to Assess Your Equipment 31
How to Manage a Crowd 32
A Successful Teachers' (or Any) Meeting 33
Agenda: Formation Style 34
The Two-Adult Rule 35
Why Background Checks? 36
The Church Nursery 37
Fee or Free? 39
Don't Hide It Under a Bushel 40
When's a Youth Not a Youth? 41
What Do You Mean, "Cradle to Grave"? 42
How is Stewardship Formational? 43
How to Include Service and Mission 44
Tourist, Missionary, or Pilgrim? 45
Soccer, Band, Hockey, and the Debate Team 46
How to Be Best Friends with the Altar Guild 47
How to Welcome Children in Worship 48
How to Give a Children's Sermon 49
When the Acolyte's Hair Catches Fire 50
How to Lead Children's Chapel 51
How to Build Faith at Home 52
How to Covet Dedicated Space 53
The "Classroom" of the Future 54
How to Use Technology 55
"Whatcha Gonna Do When They Come for You?" 56
The Three-Legged Stool of Evaluation 57
Teaching Tips 59
How to Have a Successful Class 60
How to Tell The Story 61
Johnny's On the Ceiling 62
When Snakes Show Up 63
How We Learn 64
The Brain Created by God 65
An Inclusive Classroom 66
Who Am I? A Preschooler! 67
Who Am I? I'm Six Going on Eight 68
Who Am I? I'm the Big Kid 69
Who Am I? I Really Don't Know 70
Who Am I? I'm Working on It 71
A Roomful of Homer Simpsons 72
Noah Gathered Them Two by Two 73
Prayers To and For Children 74
What to Say When Grandma or Fido Dies 75
How to Get Paint Out of an Easter Dress 76
What Should Be in Your Classroom? 77
How to Minister to Bullies 78
How to Lead Quick Games 80
I Have to Lead an Adult Study? 81
What Adults Should Be Talking About 82
Partiers, Bible Thumpers, or Do-Gooders? 83
Is This the Right Question? 84
How to Lead a Book Discussion Group 86
Derailments and Dominators 87
Paperwork and Checklists 89
An Invitation to Serve 90
A Covenant with Teachers and Leaders 91
Recipe for a Church School Lesson 92
Lesson Plan Template 94
The Supply Closet 95
Checklist of Necessary Nursery Supplies 97
An Emergency Plan 98
Where to Put the First Aid Kit 99
A Sandwich Evaluation 100
Curriculum Evaluation Worksheet 101
How to Get Input from Teachers 102
How to Get Input from Parents 103
Registration Forms 104
The Dreaded Permission Slip 105
Media Release 106
A Covenant for a Mission Trip 107
The Budget 108
The Annual Report 109
Prayers to Begin Meetings or the Consumption of Food 110
Episcopal Stuff 111
What Is the Episcopal Church? 112
What Is the Anglican Communion? 113
Provinces of the Episcopal Church 114
How to Use Three-Legged Stools 116
What is the Book of Common Prayer? 117
How Many Hymnals Are There? 118
Popular Hymns for Children 119
What is the Lectionary? 120
Days and Seasons of the Church Year 121
How to Teach about Sacraments 126
Sprinkling, Pouring, or Immersion? 127
Holy Communion, Mass, or Eucharist? 129
What Are We Confirming? 130
How to Make a Secret Signal 132
What to Do When the Bishop Shows Up 133
Do Episcopalians Believe in Saints? 134
Fifteen Famous Episcopal Christian Educators 135
Your Sanity 139
Stress? What Stress? 140
How to Take Care of Yourself 140
Time Bandits 141
Two Heads are Better Than One 143
How Not to Work for Free 144
How to Be the Real Boss: Pray 145
How to Locate Toilet Paper 146
How to Untangle the Triangle 147
E-mail Complaints 148
Spiritual Direction 149
How to Forgive Someone 150
How to Choose the Right Virgin Mary 151
How to Console Others 152
How to Cope with Grief and Loss 153
How to Bless a Child (or Anyone Else) 154
How to Draw the Line 156
How to Avoid Easter Egg Catastrophes 157
Bible Stuff 159
Who Wrote the Bible? 160
A Guide to Popular Bible Translations 162
How to Choose a Bible 164
How to Present a Bible 165
How Episcopalians Read the Bible (and Why More Should) 167
But No One Shows Up for Bible Study! 169
The Seven Funniest Bible Stories 170
The Top 10 Bible Miracles (and What They Mean) 173
Four Inspiring Women of the Bible 175
Called Up to the Majors (Prophets, That Is) 176
The Top 10 Bible Villains 178
The Top 10 Bible Heroes 181
Five Gross Bible Stories for Boys (and Girls) 183
Jesus' Fourteen Apostles 184
The Three Most Rebellious Things Jesus Did 186
Maps, Diagrams, and Charts 187
The Exodus 188
The Ark of the Covenant 189
Jerusalem in Jesus' Time 190
The Passion and Crucifixion 191
Family Tree of Christianity 198
EpiscoSpeak 199
Extra Important Stuff 205
The Lord's Prayer 206
The Ten Commandments 207
The Baptismal Covenant 208
An Outline of the Faith 210
A Children's Charter for the Church 226
The Charter for Lifelong Christian Formation 228
The Five Marks of Mission 230
What Are the Millennium Development Goals? 231
Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families 232
Compline 236
Must-Haves for the Christian Educator's Shelf 244